How do you Get started?
Initial Meeting with Church Representative
This is where we explain the purpose and mission of Uplift Appalachia. The goal is to build a rapport with the church or organization.
Meet with Church Leadership
It is vital that church leaders be fully bought in to any ministry they lead their congregation toward.
Initial Pitch to Church
Uplift Appalachia or its representative within your church will introduce our mission to your whole church and how the church fits in that mission.
Full Day Wraparound Care Training
A full day training will be scheduled where church members will “go deep” into the why, what, and how of starting and sustaining an effective addiction ministry. Attendees will come out of the meeting as "Uplift Appalachia Wraparound Care Training" Certified.
Applied Programs
Uplift Rides
Uplift Rides
Uplift Appalachia has applied programs that are much needed to help people out of their addictions. These are applicable much more broadly than just for those who are addicted to substances. We will work with churches, faith-based organizations, or other organizations to tailor programs to their specific needs.
Uplift Rides
Uplift Rides
Uplift Rides
Transportation is usually thought of as a way of getting a person from point A to point B. It can be so much more. It can be a source of healing and increased flourishing. Uplift Rides is a direct application of the trainings we offer. Uplift Appalachia will help organizations to develop a tailored solution to meet transportation needs of different populations that is not a “public transportation” model, but focuses on enhancing flourishing…actually improving the life of the person receiving the ride.
Uplift Kids
Uplift Housing
Uplift Housing
Uplift Kids is a partner program of Uplift Appalachia designed to build and foster the relationship between local churches and their neighborhood elementary schools by providing free after-school services to students in need as well as wraparound care for the students’ families.
Uplift Housing
Uplift Housing
Uplift Housing
Uplift Housing is a housing model that is an application of the trainings we offer. We will consult with organizations or churches to design a housing model that works for them.
Meet Our Trainers
Andrea Clements, PhD
Tanner Clements, MDiv
Tanner Clements, MDiv
Andrea “Andi” Clements is a professor in the Department of Psychology at East Tennessee State University, co-founder and board president of Uplift Appalachia, and associate director of research design and implementation in the ETSU/Ballad Health Strong BRAIN Institute. Her main areas of research are religiosity, health, and trauma-related
Andrea “Andi” Clements is a professor in the Department of Psychology at East Tennessee State University, co-founder and board president of Uplift Appalachia, and associate director of research design and implementation in the ETSU/Ballad Health Strong BRAIN Institute. Her main areas of research are religiosity, health, and trauma-related neuropsychological development, particularly focusing on addiction. She teaches and trains about the science of addiction, navigating addiction treatment options, being trauma responsive (trauma informed care), and stigma reduction. She has taught measurement, evaluation, and research design for the past three decades.
Tanner Clements, MDiv
Tanner Clements, MDiv
Tanner Clements, MDiv
For eight years Tanner Clements was a bi-vocational pastor and elder at Christ-Reconciled Church in a low income, high need area of Johnson City, Tennessee. He is a co-founder, training, and media director for Uplift Appalachia. He publishes and speaks publicly about the need to build community to address addiction. Clements holds a MDiv
For eight years Tanner Clements was a bi-vocational pastor and elder at Christ-Reconciled Church in a low income, high need area of Johnson City, Tennessee. He is a co-founder, training, and media director for Uplift Appalachia. He publishes and speaks publicly about the need to build community to address addiction. Clements holds a MDiv in Theological Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and a BA from East Tennessee State University in digital media. He has spent 15 years managing Web and Video Services at a large regional university until stepping away to devote himself to full-time freelance work that focuses primarily on the work of Uplift Appalachia.
Teronya Holmes
Teronya Holmes
Teronya Holmes
Teronya Holmes is dedicated to helping find solutions to address the problem of addiction and its effects. As former executive director of the Holy Friendship Collaborative, a precursor to Uplift Appalachia, she worked in collaboration with the Church, communities, and organizations throughout the Appalachian Highlands to faithfully disc
Teronya Holmes is dedicated to helping find solutions to address the problem of addiction and its effects. As former executive director of the Holy Friendship Collaborative, a precursor to Uplift Appalachia, she worked in collaboration with the Church, communities, and organizations throughout the Appalachian Highlands to faithfully discern and address the problem of addiction in biblically-inspired ways. She has conducted trauma informed care training for large congregations, and also works with churches to discern their training needs.
Becky Haas
Teronya Holmes
Teronya Holmes
Becky Haas is an international presenter of trauma informed care and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study as well as a pioneer in successfully developing trauma informed communities. She offers trainings in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma informed care, including trainings specifically tailored to law enforcement
Becky Haas is an international presenter of trauma informed care and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study as well as a pioneer in successfully developing trauma informed communities. She offers trainings in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma informed care, including trainings specifically tailored to law enforcement, healthcare, education, foster care, and can develop trainings for many specialized settings.