This past Saturday, we welcomed over 50 fathers and daughters from nearby Harpeth Hall School for a morning of yard work and cleaning. Their hard work saved us time and money, and our playground and front entrance is even more welcoming for everyone who comes into our building and plays on the playground.

Thanks to these neighbors, our campus feels ready for fall with fresh pine straw and pansies. Girls and their fathers stained our gazebo, swing, and benches, weeded our playground, moved rocks, and even had enough time to deep clean all the toys in our auditorium!

Harpeth Hall dad George Vidalakis wrote that the dads and “daughters all showed up ready to WORK, and it was a beautiful thing to see.  Not one person I could see was just phoning it in, and I was sincerely amazed at the transformation we managed to make in a couple of hours.” He added, “Thanks to Fannie Battle for allowing us this opportunity with our kids.  It was a great morning and I hope we can come back in the future to help your amazing facility.” Executive Director Kristie Ryan, Mary Cady Boln, and our very own Sam Lewis helped with the effort, and our team was able to share with the visitors how special our mission is in the Nashville community.

If your school or group is interested in volunteering in a hands-on way helping us maintain our facility, we’d love to have you! Please contact Mary Cady Bolin, Director of Development, for opportunities by emailing mcbolin@fanniebattle.org

Thank you, Harpeth Hall Honeybears and Dads!

Every so often our blog will highlight something that our Fannie Battle children enjoy the most. If you’re a seasoned Fannie Battle parent, you might not be surprised to hear that yoga with Ms. Gena is a favorite activity of our little ones!

Every other week during the school year, our Business Operations Manager Gena Lewis leads our 2, 3, and 4 year-olds in yoga either in our auditorium or outside on the playground. During the summer, Gena expands these class offerings to include school-age children.

Gena says, “Kids yoga is more about play and fun, rather than getting the poses exactly right.” Gena’s peaceful demeanor and love for children helps create a class where students feel supported, encouraged, and safe. Moreover, her approach fits hand in hand with our Conscious Discipline curriculum, and through yoga our children continue to learn to focus on breathwork and emotional regulation.

If you’re wanting to use some of Gena’s music at home, she says her students love these songs:

Thank you, Gena, for sharing your love for yoga with our students!

Investing in Fannie Battle Teachers – Cathey & Wilford Fuqua – Blog

Leadership, ultimately is not about how long something lasts however the impact that it makes day after day, year after year, generation after generation. At Fannie Battle for 131 years, we have made it our mission to serve the families and children in the Nashville area by offering high-quality, affordable childcare. To make that possible, we constantly search for partners who believe in and support our mission.

For generations, the spirit of Miss Fannie Battle has exemplified what this mission looks like when put into action, not only in spirit but with very gracious actions of our partners, many of whom have been involved for decades and often several generations. Partners like Cathey and Wilford Fuqua, who embody how important exemplary leadership is to organizations like ours.

For decades, the Fuquas, have been dedicated to ensuring that families in the Nashville community are properly served at all levels. Cathey, a former Fannie Battle Board President, who also has a background in non-profit development, has been there for Fannie Battle. Whether it be supporting our fundraising efforts or in service as a volunteer, Fannie Battle has played an important role in their community involvement.

For many organizations like Fannie Battle, we are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our commitment to serve children and families. This year our brainstorming was aided by a generous gift from the Fuquas. Cathey & Wilford visited us last fall to catch up after several years away due to the pandemic. During their visit, they recognized that early childhood education teachers are often overlooked despite the critical role they play in the lives of children and families and decided to do what they can to change this situation. Their goal is to encourage others to give by offering a match for gifts made to our Spring – Candle of Hope Annual Campaign.  Gifts will be matched up to a total of $15,000! Our mission to empower our families and allow our children to reach their highest potential can be strengthened with this commitment and our capacity to provide better wages and benefits for our educators is increased.

This gift is a testament to the importance of leading by example, we hope that the Fuquas generosity leads others to partner and support our efforts! Be sure to check your mailbox or make a donation online today!

Thank you for your commitment to the Fannie Battle Day Home for Children!

Fannie Battle Day Home Welcomes Four Board Members and New Board Leadership for 2021

New leadership will work to continue Fannie Battle Day Home’s mission, integrity, and financial stability

Nashville, TN – Fannie Battle Day Home (Fannie Battle) today announced four new board members and leadership who will work to continue Fannie Battle’s mission of providing accessible and affordable high-quality childcare while empowering families to reach their fullest potential.

“It is my privilege to work for an organization that can attract such an outstanding group of highly respected volunteers for the Board of Directors,” said Kristie Ryan, Executive Director. “I welcome our new members and am eager to start another successful year.”

The new board members began their three-year terms with Fannie Battle effective January 1, 2020 and may serve a maximum of two terms. The four new members are:

• Elizabeth Beavers, Community Volunteer; Previous board chair
• Chardae Hawley, Product Director of Jackson
• Michael Law, Director, Development of HCA Physician Development/Mergers & Acquisitions; Previous board member
• Pam Vasilevskis, Managing Partner, Client Focused Media – Nashville

“I sought to serve on Fannie Battle’s board because I believe education is the great equalizer. Fannie Battle creates the space for children of all backgrounds to gain a strong educational foundation,” said Chardae Hawley. “Additionally, I believe diversity is a powerful tool and having students from different ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds learning together provides an immeasurable experience in both development and understanding.”

“As a former working mom of three boys for over 15 years, I know some of the struggles parents face juggling jobs and family life and the financial strain childcare can put on a family’s finances. Fannie Battle offers wonderful support that empowers families,” said Pam Vasilevskis. “I will be honored to serve and further Fannie Battle’s mission.”

Additionally, Fannie Battle board members have elected Sandy Wade, HCA Healthcare, as President-Elect; Joshua Counts Cumby, Adams & Reese, LLP, as Secretary; and Michael Law, HCA, as Treasurer.

“I am honored to support an impactful organization that not only carries a century-long tradition of excellence in childcare and provides even more to Fannie Battle families today, but to serve alongside such passionate and talented leaders,” Solvig Gentile, Board President commented. “Together we strive to continue and grow the legacy of Fannie Battle in 2021 and well beyond”.

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Media Contact: Kristie Ryan, Executive Director, 615-228-6745 or kryan@fanniebattle.org

Fannie Battle Day Home for Children is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit dedication to providing accessible and affordable high-quality childcare while empowering families to reach their fullest potential. Fannie Battle Day Home, the second oldest childcare center in Tennessee, began in 1891 when founder, Miss Fannie Battle, noticed children were left to roam the streets while their parent(s) went to work. Today we remain committed to serving working Nashville families and developing new avenues to serve our rapidly growing community. To learn more about Fannie Battle Day Home, visit our website: fanniebattle.org

We understand that it’s a difficult and overwhelming time for children as they are trying to process what is happening and it can be difficult for adults to respond. We  would like to share with you some valuable resources that can hopefully help with these discussions.  

Fannie Battle Day Home’s board of directors announced that they have appointed Kristie P. Ryan, CFRE, as Executive Director. She will take helm of the model childcare organization dedicated to providing accessible and affordable high-quality early education.

“The board is very excited to welcome Kristie to our Fannie Battle family and feel that her experience, leadership, and passion are ideal to lead us into the next chapter of our organization,” Solvig Gentile, board president, said.

Ryan has served nearly 30 years in non-profit development and management, garnering a depth of knowledge across her profession. Her experience ranges from community-based social service agencies, local and national health-related organizations, and her sorority’s foundation. She follows the Day Home’s previous Executive Director, Melanie Shinbaum, who left the organization in November for a new professional challenge as Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s Community House.

“I am so honored to have been selected as the Executive Director of Fannie Battle Day Home,” said Ryan. “Fannie Battle’s long and revered reputation in the Nashville community is a tribute to everyone who has played a role in its history to ensure that families have access to high-quality, affordable care.”

Ryan was awarded the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 1999 and has continuously maintained the designation since. Additionally, she received a non-profit management certificate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.  She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where she has served in various roles including Nashville Chapter President.  She greatly values her own involvement as a volunteer with various Nashville area organizations having previously served with Nurses for Newborns, Boy Scouts – Troop 86, Faith Family Medical Clinic, Hillcrest UMC, and Brentwood High School, to name a few. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University.