FrankTown Open Hearts
DONOR LOGIN

Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life at FrankTown Open Hearts

by | Feb 21, 2026 | FrankTown Open Hearts, Spiritual Growth, Tutoring | 0 comments

Child from FrankTown Open Hearts

Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life at FrankTown Open Hearts

Every day at FrankTown Open Hearts in Franklin, TN, is filled with purpose, passion, and impactful moments that shape the lives of local youth. This Christ-centered nonprofit ministry is dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and equipping under-sourced children through mentoring, educational support, life skills training, and spiritual growth.

In this behind-the-scenes look, we take you through a typical day at FrankTown Open Hearts – where volunteers, staff, and students come together to build confidence, learn valuable skills, and form lasting relationships.

Arrival and Community Welcome

For many students, the day begins with a warm welcome and safe transportation to the FrankTown programs. Through a combination of dedicated volunteers and organized logistics, transportation is a key part of ensuring consistent participation in classes and activities.

Students are greeted by mentors and staff who create a nurturing environment full of encouragement and structure. It’s this supportive atmosphere — driven by faith and care — that helps students feel grounded and ready to learn.

FrankTown Open Hearts Mentorship in Franklin

Educational and Vocational Programs

A core part of the FrankTown experience is the variety of programs designed to equip youth with practical life skills and knowledge. Students may participate in classroom instruction or hands-on activities such as:

  • Tutoring and academic support to strengthen classroom learning
  • STEM projects and technology skills that build problem-solving and creative thinking
  • Automotive training where students learn basic car mechanics and work on donated vehicles that are eventually returned to families in need

Each of these classes reinforces responsibility, discipline, and perseverance — qualities that extend far beyond the classroom

Next: Life Skills and Spiritual Growth

In addition to academic enrichment, FrankTown Open Hearts emphasizes life skills training and spiritual development. Students engage in courses like:

  • Culinary arts, where they learn kitchen safety, nutrition, budgeting, and meal preparation
  • Leadership development, which includes job readiness, resume building, and public speaking
  • Recreational activities, which encourage physical fitness, team building, and healthy habits
  • Students are also served a nutritious meal each day, ensuring they are supported both during learning and beyond the classroom.

Through these activities, youth are equipped with the tools they need to thrive both now and in the future.

Faith and Scripture are integrated into group discussions, prayers, and reflections, helping students grow in confidence and spiritual maturity. FrankTown’s mission is rooted in serving as the “hands and feet of Christ,” a value that guides every aspect of its programming.

Mentorship in Franklin, TN Event

Special Projects and Community Impact

Throughout the year, FrankTown Open Hearts also hosts special projects and community-wide events. For example, the FrankTown Festival of Lights has become a beloved annual tradition in Williamson County, delighting families with a mile-long holiday light experience while supporting FrankTown’s mission.

Events like this not only raise crucial funds but also strengthen community ties and broaden awareness of the organization’s work. They offer volunteers and supporters another way to get involved and grow alongside the youth they serve.

As the day winds down, students gather for group activities, homework help, and mentoring sessions. Providing a nutritious evening meal and a place for students to connect socially and emotionally is an important part of FrankTown’s mission to nurture the whole person.

Volunteer mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and friendship — building trust and offering positive examples of leadership and character. These relationships are often the highlight for students, giving them a consistent support system that reinforces their self-worth and potential.

A Community Built on Compassion

BeBehind the scenes at FrankTown Open Hearts, every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. From tutoring and vocational classes to extracurricular activities and meaningful mentorship, the organization’s work reflects a deep commitment to empowering the next generation. Volunteers, donors, and community partners all play a vital role in helping FrankTown fulfill its mission.If you’re interested in supporting this life-changing work as a volunteer or donor, visit theirBecome a Heartbeat Partner page to learn how your contribution can help sustain programs and fuel opportunities for young people in Franklin, TN.

This support also helps make possible Summer programming, internships, and special initiatives such as Back-to-School events and Christmas Shopping that directly serve local students and families.

Final Thoughts

A day in the life at FrankTown Open Hearts is more than just routines and classes, it’s a cycle of growth, encouragement, and community impact. Whether you’re looking to get involved through mentorship, support vocational training, or attend local events like the Festival of Lights, there are many ways to contribute to FrankTown’s mission of inspiring confident, empowered youth. Start by exploring FrankTown Open Hearts’ programs and consider joining the journey of transformation in Williamson County.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×

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.

Email
×

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.

Email
×

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.

×

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.

×

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.

Email
×

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.

Email
×

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.”

×

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.