Addison Hadley

My greatest passion project is giving back to my community by doing my part to mitigate the effects of poverty on families and children. For several years, I co-taught a character education program at the Nashville Rescue Mission that I founded with my cousin, a fellow mental health professional. This was the third charity program I'd founded; the first offered free or low-cost nannying, tutoring, and babysitting services to low-income families in nine counties in the state of Tennessee, and the second connected incarcerated women with women in the Nashville area who provided friendship, practice for social skills, and spiritual guidance. I frequently organize and participate in local food drives and book donation drives. Having grown up in poverty and having known and loved so many others who did, I deeply understand how pervasive poverty can be; I'll spend the rest of my life doing what I can to alleviate that experience for others.