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FrankTown Open Hearts is on a mission to inspire, empower, and equip at-risk youth in Franklin, TN.

FrankTown Open Hearts is on a mission to inspire, empower, and equip at-risk youth in Franklin, TN.

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Remembering Mary Ann Pointer

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Ms. Mary Ann Pointer’s passing this weekend. Ms. Mary Ann has faithfully served and loved the students and families of FrankTown since nearly the very beginning for approximately 16 years, becoming an irreplaceable part of who we are.

As our Senior Transportation Specialist, she not only transported students safely to and from programs and events but also cared for them deeply—serving as a chaperone, encourager, and friend. The hole she leaves is as big as her personality and she will be missed by all who knew her.

You can find her obituary and service details linked below: 

Obituary & Service Details

We Are On A Mission

To change the future of Franklin, Tennessee’s inner city youth, we need your help.

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It's Not Too Late To Register For The 2025–2026 FrankTown Program Year!

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Upcoming Events

Stay updated on our upcoming events and opportunities.

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Come Experience FrankTown Festival of Lights!

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From The Heart: FrankTown Open Hearts Songwriter Night

View highlights from our Songwriters Night — an unforgettable evening supporting A Home for FrankTown!

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Current Developmental Programs

Current programs offer mentoring, tutoring, life skills, and spiritual growth for at-risk youth.

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Arts & Craft
Automotive
Culinary Arts
STEM
Fishing, Safety & Land Conservation
Leadership Development
Recreational Development
Sewing
Spiritual Development
Tutoring
Woodworking
J Squad
Arts & Crafts
arts & craft

Students have the opportunity to participate in jewelry making (choosing and using a variety of materials, tools, and skills t o create various projects), painting, coloring, etc.

Automotive
automotive

The FrankTown Automotive is a self-sustaining program offered at FrankTown where students learn the basics of car mechanics and gain exposure to various types of cars and their parts. Through this program, FrankTown students are given the opportunity to work hands-on with donated vehicles received from within our community. From local volunteer mechanics, our students learn basic skills to maintain and repair general automotive issues and repair vehicles. The vehicles worked on in this program are donated back to FrankTown families and FrankTown student graduates in need of a vehicle.

Culinary Arts
culinary arts

Culinary class is a favorite in FrankTown! Students learn basic to advanced culinary techniques including the use of various ingredients, kitchen equipment, and the safety and sanitary skills needed to prepare nutritious single and family-focused dishes. In addition to making delicious and nutritious snacks and meals, our students also learn how to budget, follow a recipe, shop for nutritious food on a budget, and the art of how to plate food to look appetizing.

STEM
STEM

Students are challenged to participate in a variety of projects that stimulate their creativity through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Beginner and advanced course rotation takes place throughout the year. Students are taught a curriculum based around a variety of software programs to increase their keyboarding skills, create simple charts and graphs, presentations, coding, robotics, etc.

Fishing, Safety & Land Conservations
fishing

Students learn core outdoor tenants that promote safety, appreciation and responsibility for themselves and natural resources. Examples include identifying various wildlife, plants, and terrain, as well as land conservation. Basic wilderness survival like starting a safe fire, camping, and fishing are also core components of the program.

Leadership Development
leadership

This particular course is designed to capture the different skills that will prepare students to gain more self-confidence as well as bring more self-awareness to different life situations. There are numerous components to this particular course:

  • Apologetics – Students learn the history of the Bible and learn how to defend their faith.
  • Ready for Life – Students learn how to interview, fill out applications, build resumes, etc.
  • FrankTown Speaker Series– Local businesspeople are brought in to discuss their life stories and how they overcame different obstacles on the path to success.
Recreational Development
recreational

The students participate in various sports activities to encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Students will learn how to train and eat properly to create a better lifestyle, while having fun and harnessing team-building skills.

Sewing
sewing

Male and female students learn basic sewing (hemming, hand sewing and stitching, using a sewing machine, using patterns, fabric selection, etc.). These skill classes offer the ability and confidence for the students to learn new skills and understand that hard work = reward. Depending on the age, kids go through a beginner course, as well as an advanced course.

Spiritual Development
spiritual

Students are taught age appropriate bible study for spiritual growth through a partnership w/Grace Chapel. Prayer is a key component of the ministry and children and youth are given a Bible and have opportunities to further their biblical scholarship through classes and youth groups.

Tutoring
tutoring

Students work on homework, get assisted in areas of educational difficulty, and receive tutoring in a variety of disciplines.

Woodworking
woodworking

Students learn basic woodworking (use & maintenance of tools, safety, lumber recognizing & selection, proper measurements & calculations) to create various projects. Depending on the age, students go through a beginner course, as well as an advanced course. The beginner course is called Woodworking 101. Experienced students are allowed to participate with Narrow Gate, a local wood shop company that makes different products that are sold worldwide. There, students learn different types of machines and how to create certain products that can be sold.

J Squad
j squad

Students use and integrate performing arts (songs, musical instruments, acting and dancing) to learn and share scripture. This program challenges kids to commit to learning and honing different skill sets that enable them to perform in front of live audiences. As they become more adept in the realm of performing arts, students will learn the different facets of incorporating technology into programs.

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A Home for FrankTown

Every child will have a new FrankTown home, and every gift makes a difference.

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What We Need

See what we need and how you can make a difference.

Sponsor A Child

Sponsor a child and help transform their lives.

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Pay for Fuel

Your donation fuels  the bus for students weekly.

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Feed the Kids

Your donation helps purchase food for FrankTown students.

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Why We Need You

Every child will have a new FrankTown home, and every gift makes a difference.

Individuals

Feeling called to give back? Time or money—both make a difference and feed the soul.

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Churches & Groups

Called to serve? FrankTown needs generous hearts to give time or fund meals and programs.

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Businesses

Whether local business or large corporation, community engagement builds strong connections.

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Testimonials

LaQuisha Waters, the most recent recipient of a vehicle from FrankTown Automotive is a single mom of five children – 4 boys and 1 girl, all of whom are under the age of ten. This past month, LaQuisha received a 2001 Caravan that had been generously donated to Franktown Automotive to be fixed up and given to one of our families. LaQuisha’s two oldest children attend Franktown and transportation has been a long time issue for the family.

LaQuisha recently got a job and was having difficulty getting back and forth to work; she had to rely on friends, neighbors, and coworkers to help her get around. “I was always worried that something would happen to one of my kids and I couldn’t get to them” she says.

Timmy came to FrankTown at age 10, mostly because some of his friends were going. “It was something to do, and I got something to eat,” he reflects. He met Wayne at FrankTown, a man who listened to him, cared about him and encouraged him. As Timmy grew to trust him, Wayne taught him to “listen and learn, to show up on time and to not quit.” A pivotal moment came in his mid-teens when Timmy had an opportunity to earn big money – illegally – and he told Wayne, the man he affectionately calls “Pops.” Wayne thought for a moment and said, “Well, Timmy, you can have that, or you can have Someone who loves you more than I do.” And with that, Timmy made a decision for life and relationships instead of certain destruction. He has learned that life is not easy, but “anything worth fighting for doesn’t fall in your lap.”

“I don’t know where to start. It means so much to have trusted people who love Lainysha, who care about her and she’s safe with them. She is learning so much, like cooking and sewing and knitting. I can’t put a price on my daughter’s face lighting up when she gets to see a lion or acrobats at the circus – the extras I can’t give her because I’m more worried about having food on the table and a roof over our heads. FrankTown has made life so much easier for me. As a single mom, it’s all on me, all the responsibility.”

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Chris Barnhill, Executive Director

Chris Barnhill was born and raised in the great state of Texas. He is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoys playing golf when time allows. He has two grown children and has been married to his wife Jo for 37 years. Chris has been a member of the Fourth Avenue Church of Christ for 21 years, where he currently serves as an Elder. His undergraduate degree was from Oklahoma Christian University, and he served as a youth minister for several years at churches in Kansas City and Atlanta. He earned his MPA degree (in Nonprofit Management) from Tennessee State University, and was the Executive Director of Youth Encouragement Services, and CASA before accepting the position as the Executive Director of FrankTown Open Hearts. Under Chris’ leadership, FrankTown has developed new & more effective ways to generate revenue through diversified and sustainable sources. This includes new donor cultivation, increased monthly donors, new fundraising events, additional foundational support, targeted church appeals, intentionally increasing awareness through media relations, social media, board recruitment and focused programming. Chris is a selfless and hardworking Executive Director whose relentless effort in helping those less fortunate has propelled FrankTown to greater heights. He inspires others to act and has an innate ability to get things done by asking the right questions. He does all of this with the mission of FrankTown in mind. He truly inspires, empowers, and equips FrankTown students, staff, the board, and everyone he meets.

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Janell Fadler, Senior Program Director

Janell Fadler was born in Missouri and moved often during childhood as her father pursued a career with IBM. These early experiences instilled in her a love for exploration and a heart for service. Alongside her family, she has traveled extensively; from Europe and the Amazon to the Himalayas on vacations and mission trips. She is driven by a passion for sharing the gospel and serving others through the Holy Spirit. Janell holds a bachelor’s degree in Private/Commercial Recreation from Missouri State University and a master’s in Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She came to faith in college and became active in CRU, sparking a lifelong passion for student ministry. Since 2001, she has called Franklin, TN, home. Her professional background includes hospitality roles with Hyatt Hotels and ministry positions at Eastside Baptist Church in Georgia and Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee. At Lifeway Christian Resources, she served in B&H Publishing, Church Leadership Training & Events, and Retail Marketing. A formative experience in her career was a two-year mission in Russia with the International Mission Board, where she taught English to college students using the Bible. She is currently volunteering in the student ministry at her church, The Church at West Franklin. Most recently, she was Project Management Team Manager for Marketing and Communications at Envision Healthcare. In April 2025, Janell joined FrankTown Open Hearts to continue her calling of serving youth and families in Franklin, now overseeing programming staff, volunteer engagement, and community relationships in support of the mission.

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Amy Dominguez, Finance & Operations Manager

Amy Dominguez grew up in Memphis, Kansas City, and Madison, Tennessee where her parents were involved in church ministry. She played all the sports growing up and in her teen years developed a love of music, intimacy with God, and seeing people come to know the love of Jesus. Amy graduated high school from Goodpasture Christian School and got her bachelor’s degree from Harding University in Spanish Education and Missions. It was there she met her husband Leoncio. They have been married since 2001 and have been involved in various ministries throughout the years. Wellspring Franklin has been their church family for over a decade. Amy speaks fluent Spanish, loves to travel and eat good food from around the world, and makes a mean salsa. She enjoys quiet walks, diving deep into God’s Word, encouraging others, and connecting people. Her greatest joys are her family and cheering on her children in all their sporting and artistic endeavors. Amy’s role with FrankTown serves behind the scenes to keep the organization running smoothly. Her skills with numbers, love for people, and determination to see things run efficiently have advanced FrankTown’s administrative functions and streamlined the effectiveness of operations.

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Amy Dominguez, Finance & Operations Manager

Amy Dominguez grew up in Memphis, Kansas City, and Madison, Tennessee where her parents were involved in church ministry. She played all the sports growing up and in her teen years developed a love of music, intimacy with God, and seeing people come to know the love of Jesus. Amy graduated high school from Goodpasture Christian School and got her bachelor’s degree from Harding University in Spanish Education and Missions. It was there she met her husband Leoncio. They have been married since 2001 and have been involved in various ministries throughout the years. Wellspring Franklin has been their church family for over a decade. Amy speaks fluent Spanish, loves to travel and eat good food from around the world, and makes a mean salsa. She enjoys quiet walks, diving deep into God’s Word, encouraging others, and connecting people. Her greatest joys are her family and cheering on her children in all their sporting and artistic endeavors. Amy’s role with FrankTown serves behind the scenes to keep the organization running smoothly. Her skills with numbers, love for people, and determination to see things run efficiently have advanced FrankTown’s administrative functions and streamlined the effectiveness of operations.

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Nicole McIntyre, Director of Programming Logistics

Nicole McIntyre, Director of Programming Logistics Nicole McIntyre grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, with stints in three Texas cities, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Orlando, Florida by the time she was thirteen. The variety of people and cultures in those formative years gave her an appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation and people. She has been married to her husband, Nathan, since 2001 and they have two sons. She loves traveling to places she’s read about and will choose a historical city over a beach vacation every time; usually with a crochet project on hand. Nicole graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She decided she wanted to be an educator when she was seven years old and began volunteering in children’s ministry when she was fifteen. Since then she has been working with children in some capacity, whether it’s teaching in a variety of classroom settings, tutoring students, teaching Bible classes, leading AWANA, or making bad balloon animals. She is currently leading the Wednesday night children’s programming at 4th Avenue Church, as well as volunteering in the preschool ministry since 2007. Teaching children they are loved, valued, created beings of God is her most important thing. Nicole has been at FrankTown since 2022. She loves finding solutions for problems, usually with a color-coded spreadsheet. As the Director of Programming Logistics, she works to find the best spaces for volunteers, finding engaging opportunities for students, and making sure all of the many pieces of the puzzle work together.

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Raymond Waymon, Director of Programming Operations

Raymond Waymon Jr was born in Los Angeles, California. Raymond has lived in Franklin, Tn for 30 years. Raymond has been married for 19 years and is a member of Limestone Missionary Baptist Church. Raymond graduated from Franklin High School and was a part of multiple sports teams. Raymond played collegiate football at Lambuth University and University of Memphis. Raymond has a Bachelors degree in Business Economics and Administration. Raymond has worked professionally at Vanderbilt Medical Group where he was the satellite clinic office supervisor for several years. Raymond most recently worked at Williamson County Juvenile Court and was the Intensive Probation Supervisor. Raymond is a Leadership Franklin alumni. Raymond has served on several state and national committees in vast capacities. Raymond is the founder of United Front, an event/mentoring sole proprietary business. Raymond has coached young men and women in football and basketball. Raymond last coached as an assistant coach at Spring Hill High school in 2019. Raymond has a deep love for community and the development of tomorrow's future generations. Raymond has received community awards and recognition for his service within the Franklin community. In his free time Raymond loves the outdoors and grilling and spending time with his loved ones. Raymond is committed to living a life of service and believes it's vital to be a part of the solutions not the gossip.

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Karen Brockington, Senior Programming Assistant

Elder Karen Brockington was born and raised in the inner city of Baltimore, Maryland. She attends Aspen Grove Christian Center in Cool Springs TN. Karen has a passion for sowing into the lives of young people and has served as a mentor for over 20 years. Having survived childhood abuse in various forms, Karen knows God has taught her not only how to teach young people how to navigate through their own challenges, but also how to walk with them through life. Karen was ordained as an Elder over youth and music by the late Bishop Veronica Watson of the Bethesda Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she was a member for 23 years. She is the founder of the Washington Semester Student Association at American University in Washington DC where she worked for 15 years before God instructed her to move to Franklin, Tennessee. Upon her move to Tennessee she served under the ministry of Christian artist Nicole C. Mullen’s Baby Girls Club, here in Franklin and then in the Country of Belize. Every Saturday, she connected with youth in Belize who had experienced the same adversity she went through, and helped them overcome their challenges through the performing arts, her teaching, mentoring and immense love for them. She was called back to the U.S. mission field by God and has been involved with the Franktown Open Hearts Ministry for 6 years where she is the Senior Programming Assistant and volunteers as the performing arts coordinator. She currently works with and proudly serves Nicole Mullen as her assistant and Road Manager. If you ask Karen what she wants people to know about her she will say “I love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul and strength. I have traveled the world and still my favorite place to be is in the presence of my Father, the lover of my soul who’s I am and whom I serve.”

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Jennifer Greenberg, Senior Programming Assistant

Jennifer Greenberg, Senior Programming Assistant Born and raised in Oklahoma, Jennifer Greenberg spent a decade in Southern California before settling in Franklin, Tennessee, where she has lived for the past 23 years. A nature enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time outdoors. She is the proud mother of three grown children—graduates of Centennial High School—and a Nana to two granddaughters. Jennifer holds a degree in Early Childhood Development and began her career as a preschool teacher while raising her children. Her passion for ministry began early in life, serving in both high school and middle school ministries at churches in Ada, Oklahoma, and Ventura, California. She has also led worship for churches and women’s conferences across California and Tennessee. Her heart for service has taken her around the world—she has traveled to eleven countries for both ministry and leisure, and has lived abroad as a missionary in Monterrey, Mexico, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Jennifer currently works in the Professional Development Department at the Williamson County Schools Central Office. She first learned about Franktown while on staff at Centennial High School and has been involved with the organization for the past seven years. She cherishes her evenings spent with Franktown students, especially leading devotions—her favorite part of the night. A close second is overseeing dinner time, which she sees as a meaningful tradition that brings people together like family. Jennifer’s life reflects a deep commitment to faith, youth, and community. She considers it a blessing to be part of what God is doing through Franktown.