by Rev. Ingrid McIntyre and Julia Sutherland
The Fred and June Blankenship Grant for Individual Assistance made a profound difference in the life of Valegia Wilson Tidwell, a beloved member of the Glencliff community. With ENCORE Ministry Foundation’s generous $5,000 award—which was matched and exceeded with an additional $7,000, for a total of $12,000—Glencliff UMC, supported administratively by The Village at Glencliff, was able to assist Valegia in securing a safe, reliable vehicle and covering essential related expenses such as auto insurance and fees.
This comprehensive support removed major barriers that had been limiting her health, independence, and stability. Before receiving this assistance, Valegia struggled to attend essential medical appointments and meet daily needs such as getting to the grocery store.
Reliable transportation was also a prerequisite for moving forward with a long-awaited hip replacement surgery and for participating in meaningful volunteer and vocational opportunities. The combined funding ensured that she could secure a dependable vehicle and maintain it safely—restoring mobility in a significant and sustainable way.
Impact on Valegia’s Life
Since receiving her vehicle, Valegia has been able to consistently attend all of her medical appointments, shop for her own groceries, and take major steps forward in her health and recovery. The transportation support has given her renewed independence and allowed her to begin giving back—something that brings her profound joy.
Most recently, Valegia completed her first day of orientation as an intern at Park Center, where she is beginning to earn her peer support specialist hours—a major milestone made possible through restored mobility and the assistance of Glencliff board member David Langgle-Martin.
Valegia asked that we share her words exactly as she wrote them:
Hello! I thank you again! For helping me with my vehicle!
I’m able to get back and forth to my doctor’s appointment! Able to help homeless people who’s in need! And have no one to help! I’m able to pay it forward! Understanding and help people who’s there! Where I use to be! I’m not feeling helpless! Like I did! Able to
have my hip replacement! That I have been needing! For a while! Thank you so much! For helping me to get back on track!
Sincerely!
Valegia Tidwell
We are deeply grateful to the ENCORE Ministry Foundation for your compassion, partnership, and investment in older adults in our community. Your support — multiplied through generous matching gifts — restored mobility, independence, and opportunity for Valegia and strengthened our ministry’s ability to care for those facing significant challenges. Thank you for making this transformation possible.
Rev. Ingrid McIntyre is pastor of Nashville’s Glencliff United Methodist Church. Julia Sutherland is executive director of The Village at Glencliff.
