About Us
Click each tab to read the history of Clarksville211.
1985
Students, faculty, and staff members of Austin Peay State University and a group of concerned citizens, sponsored by the United Urban Ministries, joined forces to launch the Crisis Intervention Center. The Clarksville/Montgomery County Crisis Intervention Center was charted by the state of Tennessee on October 23, 1985
1986
On May 27, 1986, the Board of Incorporators elected a Board of Directors and adopted a set of by-laws. Brochures were designed to explain the goals of the Crisis Center and to solicit volunteers and funds. Secured a site for the Crisis Center.
1987
The Crisis Intervention Center was approved for funding via the local chapter of the United Way. The Crisis Center soon moved to its own facility and the first volunteer workshop was held at APSU’s Student Center. The Crisis Center took the first call on March 19, 1987.
1988
Recruitment and volunteer training continue and fundraising campaigns begin.
Terrie Williams is hired as the Executive Director.
1989
An Information & Referral telephone number is established – 552-INFO.
The staff expands to include a part-time and a weekend relief worker.
Crisis 211 works with Tennessee Department of Children Services, Austin Peay University they sponsored Christmas food baskets for those in need. Over 250 baskets were given out.
1990
The Survivors of Suicide Support Group is established to offer support and understanding to persons who have lost someone they love to suicide. The Crisis Center coordinates the distribution of Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets to the families in need hoping to eliminate duplication of services.
Crisis Center becomes a Clearinghouse for those needing Christmas assistance hoping to avoid duplication of food baskets & Christmas gifts for the families. Working with Salvation Army Angel Tree, Urban Ministries to compare applications and avoid duplications. Over 100 duplications were found & those families were able to receive Christmas assistance who would not of.
1991
The Information & Referral telephone hotline was established (931-553-INFO (4636).
Crisis 211 accepted the challenge to coordinate the Christmas food basket & the toy-Angel Tree program. Urban Ministries, Salvation Army & other agencies are accepting written applications for Christmas assistance. Over 1200 calls were received in November & December. Holiday Assistance Coalition was created with representatives from Urban Ministries, Salvation Army, Department of Human Services, Fire Department & local churches
1992 – present
The Holiday Assistance Coalition is established, consisting of representatives from the Salvation Army, the Departments of Human Services, the Clarksville Jaycees, and the Clarksville Fire Department.
The 552-INFO number is used for those wishing to adopt needy families.
2,100 applications for assistance are compiled, with 300 being duplicates.
1993
Crisis Call Line takes calls for Alcoholics Anonymous where volunteers give times and locations for all meetings.
1995
Crisis 211 hosted a “Living with Loss” Conference in October 1995. It featured insights on how people deal with grief. Dr. Sue Chance, psychiatrist and author of “Stronger than Death” other speakers, such as Dr. Linda Rudolph & Ed Davis
1996
Crisis Center hosted our 2nd conference “Youth in Crisis” Topics covered were: Suicide-Intervention-Prevention-Reaction’ , Helping Youth deal with Sexual Abuse, Impact of Pregnancy in the lives of Adolescents- & Youth in Violent Society
1997
Crisis Call Line established an 800 number for Stewart County residents, enabling those in need to call the Crisis Center toll free. By the year’s end, the Center has assisted more than 800 families during the Christmas and holiday season.
1998
An 800 number is established for the residents of Cheatham County, enabling them to call the Crisis Center toll free.
1999
Crisis Center becomes “First Call for Help”. Our 931-552-INFO phone number became the community information hotline.
2000
Crisis Center teamed up with Urban Ministries to collect School supplies & backpacks for Kindergarten thru High School students. All supplies were donated and those in need would call the Crisis line for assistance
2001
The School Safety Hotline is established for all Clarksville/Montgomery County schools.
2002
The Youth Charity Art Auction is established as a fundraiser for the School Safety Hotline. High school art students donate artwork and it is displayed at Saturn of Clarksville for two weeks. The artwork is then publicly auctioned and a reception is held for the students and their parents. Prizes are given for the top three in each category.
2005
New posters, logos, and a web site are designed by Hawk Advertising – Rossview High School Students. Magnets displaying our logo and the website “mycrisishotline.com” are distributed to all middle and high school students.
2006 – 2008
Crisis & suicide telephone hotline continued to answer calls from those in emotional crisis and/or suicidal. Our 931-552-INFO continued to answer calls from those needing information about community resources.
2009 – present
Crisis Center accepted the challenge to become the 211 for Montgomery, Houston & Stewart Counties. Anyone can call 211 and receive local information about your basic needs such as food pantries, rent & utility assistance, homeless information, support groups etc.
2011 & 2012
A Walk to Remember & 5K was held at Sango Methodist Church to honor our loved ones we lost to suicide.
2020 – 2021
Crisis 211 partnered with United Way to assist with funding due to the COVID pandemic. The funding was given to United Way for rent & utility assistance due to the pandemic that closed workplaces a $25,00 grant from the Community Health Foundation of Clarksville. Crisis staff & volunteers received calls from those who were delinquent with their rent or mortgage assistance. Also assisted with electric bills that included internet if they had children in school. We established those who appeared to be eligible for assistance. Caller would text us their email address and we would email their application to them. They filled it out and scanned it with the needed documentation and emailed it back to us or they dropped it off at the office. we screened the application for needed documentation then scanned & sent it to the United Way for approval.
Clarksville Department of Electricity contributed $54,000 to United Way for CDE electric bills only. At that time some callers were behind 3- 4 months, and most were not working due to the pandemic. Callers texted email addresses to us, (applications were picked up at the office and mailed if they did not have an email or printer) applications sent & returned screened for documentation needed , scanned and sent to United Way for approval . We contacted the caller upon approved or not. 165 applications were taken.
2022
Love Remembered Walk for those we lost to Suicide event on Saturday, September 10th, 10am – Noon at Rotary Park, Creekside Pavilion. It is also “World Suicide Day” . The event held on September 9th, 2023
Our Mission
The mission of Crisis 211 is to save lives by reestablishing safety, restoring emotional strength and diminishing the impact of trauma through intervention, education and community partnerships. We are an organization where people in crisis receive guidance and assistance, encouragement, hope and help.
Our Vision
The vision of Crisis 211 is to provide community connections so that no person feels alone in a time of crisis.