Church of Scientology Making a Positive Impact on the Environment

What happens when a horticulturist, a recycling buff and several active community members sit around one table? They talk about ways and means to make a real impact on improving the environment. And that is exactly what happened in the Church of Scientology this past week in honor of World Environment Day.

World Environment Day occurs each year on June 5th and is celebrated by the United Nations. Last year, the worldwide theme for the day was “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care,” while this year’s theme was “Go Wild for Life.” According to unep.org, World Environment Day “…has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries.”

The Church of Scientology honored the day by inviting key environmental advocates to a roundtable discussion on the theme: “It’s Your City – Green it Up.” Officials at the church say that this initiative is bringing people together that care about the environment so they can connect and can do bigger things together.

“Our members care about the Earth. We all depend on it, it’s up to all of us to take care of it,” says Pastor of the Church, Rev. Brian Fesler.

“Green it Up” is one of many initiatives the Church of Scientology is working on to better the environment. For more information about the church or its programs, visit scientology-ccnashville.org. 

The Way to Happiness Association Thrilled About Upcoming ‘Green It Up’ Event

The Way to Happiness Association is observing World Environment Day on June 2nd with a networking event on behalf of the environment.

The Way to Happiness Association is planning an event for World Environment Day called “It’s Your City – Green it Up,” to be held on June 2nd. Organizers say that this initiative will bring people together that care about the environment so they can connect and can do bigger things together.

The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book of the same name, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The Way to Happiness (TWTH) is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. One of these precepts is “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” which takes to heart the care for the planet. In applying this precept, the local Association has organized cleanup projects of all sorts, and now the local chapter wants to branch out and include all environmental organizations in a discussion to make an even bigger impact.

World Environment Day occurs each year on June 5th and is celebrated by the United Nations. Last year, the worldwide theme for the day was “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” According to unep.org, World Environment Day “…has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.”

“Green it Up” will take place on June 2nd at 4:00 pm in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology. For more information or to participate, contact Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.

Church of Scientology Community News: Safe Haven Re-Opens Its Doors

The Nashville Church of Scientology supports the good works of others. Today’s highlight: the upcoming grand re-opening of the Safe Haven Family Shelter.

“Family homelessness: It’s not what you think,” are words that pop up, along with ads, on the website for Safe Haven, a shelter-to-housing program in South Nashville. With 28 years experience in changing the field of family homelessness with its proactive programs, Safe Haven will soon double its capacity and spread that help even further.

Safe Haven is planning a Grand Re-Opening for mid-Summer to celebrate the much anticipated expansion project of the shelter on 3^rd Avenue South.  Not even a year after the ground breaking ceremony on October 2, 2012, Safe Haven will be ready to open its recently renovated doors to residents before school is back in session.

“Expanding and renovating will help us keep more families together while ensuring their dignity and empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency,” said Executive Director Joyce Lavery.

Safe Haven houses an average of 38 families, including 57 children, each year. After the renovation, the shelter will be able to serve at least 100 families, including more than 150 children, annually. The program has demonstrated success for nearly three decades, with almost 85 percent of Safe Haven’s residents departing from the shelter with stable employment and secured housing.

Safe Haven is a unique shelter-to-housing program in Middle Tennessee that accepts the entire homeless family. The staff works to keep families together and provide comprehensive services that empower them to achieve lasting self-sufficiency. Safe Haven Family Shelter’s comprehensive approach is one of service and compassion. More information can be found at www.safehaven.org.