Historical Highlights

Jump to: 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000

1971 Progress was founded as Home 2 by a small group of concerned parents who had the desire to give their young adult children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live independently in the community.

1977 The Our House program was founded, serving at risk youth with developmental disabilities.

1985 Began a sheltered workshop under the name Tennessee Diversified Industries (TDI)

1988 The name was changed to PROGRESS

1994 TDI discontinued operating a sheltered workshop and began to utilize the building exclusively for non-center based Day Service program.

1995 Progress joined with New Horizons, Outlook Nashville, and Rochelle Center to form The Alliance of Davidson County.

The Tennessee State Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation approached Progress with a request to expand services and meet the special needs of people leaving Clover Bottom.

1996 The Board of Directors approved commencement of a Capital Campaign to build new facilities that will benefit people with developmental disabilities.

1997 Progress assumed the management and over-sight of 12 family based residential homes (formally called foster care)

The Frist Foundation and The Center for Non-profit Management recognized the Alliance for excellence in Management in Productivity.

Opened residential and community programs in Cheatham County.

The Nashville Airport Marriott work enclave was awarded the Ambassador of Goodwill Award.

1998 The John F. Kennedy Center presented Progress an award for outstanding support of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Progress began to provide Community Participation for people who typically have received Day Habilitation services.

Reflections, an exhibit of black and white photographs of people supported by Progress opened at The Kennedy Center of Vanderbilt University. The purpose of this art show was to improve the community's understanding of the developmentally disabled.

The Nashville Airport Marriott Work Enclave group was awarded the Commitment to Excellence Award.

Construction began on our new facility located at 311 Ezell Pike.

1999 The Community Participation Civic Affairs Group received the Certificate of Appreciation from Metro Social Services, The Certificate of Appreciation from Senior Citizens, Inc and The Second Harvest Food Bank's Harvester Award 1999 Volunteer of the Year.

2000 Progress is awarded the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award from Metro Social Services Senior Nutrition Program.

Progress moves into their new custom designed campus on 319 Ezell Pike.

2001 Progress celebrates our 30th Anniversary

2002 The OUR HOUSE program celebrated its 25th anniversary

The Cheatham County Program celebrated its 5th Anniversary

Progress began a work enclave at Vanderbilt University

* Progress established a work enclave at UniFirst Uniform

Our Story

Progress was founded by the Goodman and Powelson families as they sought independent living arrangements for their young adult sons. In 1971, as Billy Goodman and Tommy Powelson were reaching adulthood, they expressed their desire to live independently in the community, they wanted the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and obtain their goals. The Goodmans and the Powelsons realized these desires couldn’t be accomplished in a state institution, so they bought a house for Billy and Tommy to share, hired support staff and created what has become the largest residential support provider in Middle Tennessee.

Begun as an adult residential support program, Progress soon evolved and expanded its supported services. Today, Progress is considered to be a leader in Tennessee for supported services, and continues to have an excellent reputation throughout the mid-south for providing a high level of quality supported services.

The Our House program was established in 1977 by Progress in response to a request by the Tennessee State Department of Mental Health to provide a facility for adolescents with development disabilities as an alternative to jail. Although the Our House program was initially a day program, it was later converted to a 24-hour residential facility. Our House provides a residential setting for young men, ages 13-21, who are in state custody and who are temporarily not allowed to return to their natural homes. These youths have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation, often come from economically disadvantaged homes and have a history of juvenile delinquency. Many of the young men have a record of offenses ranging from truancy to assault; others are from home environments deemed unfit by the state of Tennessee. Counseling, tutoring and a graduated scale of rewards and restrictions are major components of this residential program. The object of the program is two-fold; 1) to provide an alternative to incarcerating these young men and 2) to prepare them for successful community living; either returning to their family home or living independently as a young adult. This is accomplished through a variety of structured programs and therapies, as well as successful performance in the Public School system.

In 1985, Progress established a sheltered workshop under the name Tennessee Diversified Industries (TDI). As we progressed and evolved, we discontinued the sheltered workshop and beg\an to utilize the building for a non-center based Day Service Program. The goal of this program is to integrate and supported people in mainstream community life.

In 1997, Progress expanded our residential and day services to Cheatham County, offering individuals the choice to live in a more rural environment.

Helping real People Live real lives
Supporting people with developmental disabilities since 1971
© 2005 Progress, Inc.