CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – We’re blessed in Clarksville to have dozens of charities and nonprofits that do the heavy lifting to address the needs of others, whether those needs are in the areas of in hunger, health, education or animal recues.

Over 60 of these local nonprofits are listed in the Clarksville Strong nonprofit directory. Here are 10 that are making a big difference in our community. Thanks for all that you do!

Teddy was owner-surrendered to Mikaela’s Mutt Motel after being left outside for months with little to no food or water, and was discovered to be experiencing heart failure, among many other medical issues, due to starvation, July 14, 2023. (Mikaela’s Mutt Motel contributed)

1. Mikaela’s Mutt Motel

The mission of Mikaela’s Mutt Motel is to rescue stray, neglected and unwanted dogs. They foster their rescues providing love, care and training until they are prepared for adoption into the families they deserve.

You can help them with volunteering and donations of dog food and cleaning supplies, in addition to financial donations. They can be reached by phone at 931-342-2526 or email info@mikaelasmuttmotel.org.

ArtLink (Contributed)

2. ArtLink

ArtLink is a creative arts non profit offering the community a source of inspiration, a safe space to take the pressures of a heavy world off our shoulders and explore passions, discover purpose and cultivate a sense of belonging.

You can help them with donations, volunteers and by stopping by to create art. ArtLink is at 116 Strawberry Alley. You can call them at 931-218-3022 or email ArtLinkclarksville@gmail.com.

Manifest Magic Black Girl Cooperative helps out with Habitat for Humanity. (Contributed)

3. Manifest Magic Black Girl Cooperative

Manifest Magic is committed to empowering Black women to break through the barriers created by racial and gender bias. With education, engagement, access and advocacy initiatives focused on civic, economic and social empowerment as well as comprehensive wellness programming, they work to create a new culture of empowerment that does not limit or marginalize, but instead celebrates the greatness of Black women.

You can help them with donations and volunteers. Manifest Magic Black Girl Cooperative is located at 25 Jefferson St. You can call them at 931-624-3915 or email ceo@manifestmagicbgc.org.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Adult Literacy Council
gave away over 100 paperback books to promote literacy at the National Night Out event in August 2023. (Contributed)

4. Adult Literacy Council

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Adult Literacy Council (ALC) provides free year-round tutorial services to adults who are striving to improve their levels of literacy, whether to obtain their high school equivalency diploma, to improve their personal educational skills, or to qualify for entering employment in their career choice. ALC encourages and educates adult learners of all ages in our community to enable positive changes for successful life outcomes.

You can help them with donations and volunteering. The Adult Literacy Council is at 207 Oak St. You can call them at 931-542-5046 or email adultliteracycouncil@gmail.com.

The Friends of Dunbar Cave, Cooling at the Cave concert featuring Red River Breeze on Jun. 3, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

5. Friends of Dunbar Cave

Friends of Dunbar Cave Inc. is committed to promoting, protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources of Dunbar Cave State Park for this generation and for generations to come. They work with the State of Tennessee, park rangers, and volunteers on different projects at the park. Friends of Dunbar Cave was instrumental in providing the Dunbar Cave Virtual Reality Film Project. They host an annual fundraising event concert series, the Cooling at the Cave, with proceeds helping them sponsor improvements and projects at Dunbar Cave State Park.

You can help them with donations and volunteers. Friends of Dunbar Cave is based at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, and you can call them at 931-648-5526 or email friendsofdunbarcave@gmail.com.

Julie Olson, administrator of Good Samaritan Ministry. (Contributed)

6. Good Samaritan Ministry

Good Samaritan Ministry aims to spread the love of Jesus by providing free medical and dental care for the uninsured. They treat chronic illnesses such as, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, high cholesterol, and GERD. Medication for these conditions is also provided at no cost to the patient at the time of service. They offer extraction of painful teeth with a poor prognosis for restoration. Their doctors, dentists, nurses and dental assistants freely volunteer their time and services so Good Samaritan Ministry can carry out its mission.

You can help them with donations and in their search for more dental workers. Good Samaritan Ministry is at 346 Union St. You can call them at 931-648-2444 or email julie.olson@fbct.org.

Bre Smith, Casey Jenkins, Karen Powers, Amie Wilson and Denise Pickett meet at Judy’s Hope, where Jenkins and Wynne donated 70 seed packets for flowers to be planted on the property. (Contributed)

7. Judy’s Hope Foundation

Participants of Judy’s Hope will find a safe, Christ-oriented environment that will allow them to live alone with their child or children in a tiny house while developing the skills needed to step out on their own. These women will find mentorship in home economics, securing a job, parenting and more as they rebuild a firm foundation to live independently.

You can help them with donations. Judy’s Hope is at 46 Union St. and can be reached by phone at 931-905-9988 or email tabithaftackett@gmail.com.

Items waiting to be sorted, packed, and given to those in need at the YAIPAK Outreach warehouse on Paradise Hill Road on, Apr. 28, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

8. YAIPak Outreach

YAIPak serves the under-resourced through acts of kindness, creating a world reach by impacting communities through four main projects:

  • #BeTheHope: encompasses our whole mission by serving the homeless and offering community outreaches where we provide clothing, hygiene and basic necessities to those in need.
  • #ProjectFosterHope: providing clothing, hygiene and school supplies to children entering into foster care.
  • #ProjectPatriotHope: providing new items for bath, bedroom and kitchen to Veterans moving from homelessness to housing
  • #ProjectRebuildHope: partnering with local government officials and first responders to aid in natural disaster relief throughout the country

You can help them with donations and volunteers.  YAIPak Outreach is at 1255 Paradise Hill Road. You can call them at 615-559-8272 or email info@yaioutreach.org.

The office for S.A.F.E. (Soldiers and Families Embraced) in Clarksville. (Contributed)

9. Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE)

SAFE offers free counseling to active duty service members and veterans, regardless of discharge status, active Clarksville-Montgomery County first responders, and their families. SAFE is 100% grant and private donation funded, with no affiliation with the VA or DOD, and offers individual, couples and youth counseling services. Providers through SAFE are all military-connected and understand the unique challenges of the community, and are located throughout the Clarksville-Montgomery County area, with the administrative office located downtown.

You can help them with donations. SAFE is located at 117 N. Third St. You can call them at 931-591-3241 or email info@safetn.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville Bowl for Kid’s Sake, Rock and Bowl, at the Pinnacle Family Entertainment Center on Apr. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

10. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. They enroll youth facing adversity between the ages of 6 and 15 with a dedicated mentor to be a trusted adult adding to their village. The agency then supports those matches with coaching and monthly support calls. Community-based matches meet two to four times a month and school-based matches meet once a week.

You can help them with volunteers and donations. They are located at 420 Madison St., Suite B-4, and you can call them at 931-647-1418 or email chris@bbbsclarksville.org.

GET INVOLVED: For more information on local charities and how you can help them, go to ClarksvilleStrong.com.