CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Mosaic Church, in partnership with Going Global, broke ground Nov. 7 on a new 1,600-square-foot facility that will offer transitional housing for foster children in Department of Children’s Services care.

The home will be named “Kiana’s House” after the late Kiana Long, a Clarksville native and Austin Peay State University graduate who lost her fight with sickle cell anemia in 2018. Long volunteered much of her time to teach and mentor young children at Mosaic Church.

Groundbreaking for Kiana’s House at 1246 Paradise Hill Road. A transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services, on Nov. 7, 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Groundbreaking for Kiana’s House at 1246 Paradise Hill Road. A transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services, on Nov. 7, 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Cynthia Pitts at the groundbreaking for Kiana’s House at 1246 Paradise Hill Road. A transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services, on Nov. 7, 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Groundbreaking for Kiana’s House at 1246 Paradise Hill Road. A transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services, on Nov. 7, 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Groundbreaking for Kiana’s House at 1246 Paradise Hill Road. A transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services, on Nov. 7, 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Groundbreaking for Kiana’s House at 1246 Paradise Hill Road. A transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services, on Nov. 7, 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Rendering of Kiana’s House, a transitional house for children in Department of Children’s Services to be built at 1246 Paradise Hill Rd. in Clarksville. (Rendering provided by Joseph Mendes, Operations Director at Mosaic Church).

Kiana’s mother and father, Irene and Kurt Long, were part of the groundbreaking.

“God is turning our mourning into dancing as we can help others in their time of need. Kiana’s House is a place where people can come to and be loved,” Irene Long said.

She added that their hearts were full and excited to see Kiana’s memory live on.

Kiana’s House will offer living spaces, a stocked pantry, personal items such as clothing and hygiene products, and office space for DCS workers.

Visitation spaces and family counseling will also be available, along with an opportunity for qualified volunteers to help make a difference in the lives of children and their foster families. Plans are for Kiana’s House to be open in late summer or early fall of  2022.