A resolution on April 27, became reality today, when West Tennessee Healthcare donated property to Youth Town at 3641 Youth Town Road, in Pinson.
“I want to thank West Tennessee Healthcare who contributed their time, talents and resources to construct this great building, for without it, the George Thomas Jr. Academy would not be possible,” Joe Fote said. “This collaboration is what makes ‘community’ work, selfless acts of kindness, and while your name is engraved ‘on’ the building, it is forever engraved ‘in’ our hearts.”
Joe Fote is the chief executive officer at Youth Town.
“The George Thomas Jr., Academy is part of our ministry DNA – and donating this building to us will help our students for years to come to continue their recovery, gain an education and life skills to succeed, and many to come to realize the need for Christ in their lives during their stay here,” Fote said.
Fote said an average of 20 students graduate from the Academy each year.
“It’s another great day we can share with Youth Town,” said James Ross, CEO, West Tennessee Healthcare, “The fact that making an impact on kid’s lives – being able to share with them mentally, physically and spirtually – it’s an honor for me to represent West Tennessee Healthcare’s Board of Trustees, who voted to donate this building to Youth Town.
“It’s been a long time coming, the relationship with Youth Town goes back to the late ’90s, and we love to see this dedication, this effort continue on for years to come.”
The donation adds to a sprawling campus that consists of 278 acres.
Nick Pappas, a former executive director, who continues in a key role as an ambassador, mentioned the success students achieve – educationally and spiritually.
“We’ve seen hard kids go on … some in the medical profession,” Pappas said, “The main thing, I can’t emphasize enough, the number of young people – we have a chapel service here every Monday morning – the number of young people who have come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, because this was possible.”
(PHOTO: From left, Nick Pappas, Youth Town ambassador; Joe Fote, chief executive officer at Youth Town; James Ross, CEO, West Tennessee Healthcare; Nick Summar, COO, Youth Town)
