Frank Murphy interviews Jess Shepherd, Melissa Mijares, and Jim Piehl of the Fresh Start Home Project. The projects mission statement is "Restoring Homes. Renewing Hope." Their goal is to complete one major home transformation each year for a deserving family in East Tennessee by bringing together volunteers, skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and community leaders.

This year's inaugural project will take place on August 1, 2026 at the home of a longtime Farragut High School teacher who has dedicated the past 25 years to serving the community. The project will include new flooring, windows, painting, drywall repairs, fixture replacements, landscaping, and dozens of additional repairs. Volunteers can sign up to help at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresh-start-home-project-knoxville-volunteer-sign-up-tickets-1989544956522

Fresh Start Home Project founder Jess Shepherd is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. Melissa Mijares is a certified financial planner with TVAMP Financial. Jim Piehl is the co-owner of JP Homes Construction. Learn more about Fresh Start Home Project at https://freshstartnox.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Jess Shepherd, Melissa Mijares, and Jim Piehl of the Fresh Start Home Project. The projects mission statement is "Restoring Homes. Renewing Hope." Their goal is to complete one major home transformation each year for a deserving family in East Tennessee by bringing together volunteers, skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and community leaders.
This year's inaugural project will take place on August 1, 2026 at the home of a longtime Farragut High School teacher who has dedicated the past 25 years to serving the community. The project will include new flooring, windows, painting, drywall repairs, fixture replacements, landscaping, and dozens of additional repairs. Volunteers can sign up to help at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresh-start-home-project-knoxville-volunteer-sign-up-tickets-1989544956522
Fresh Start Home Project founder Jess Shepherd is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. Melissa Mijares is a certified financial planner with TVAMP Financial. Jim Piehl is the co-owner of JP Homes Construction. Learn more about Fresh Start Home Project at https://freshstartnox.org/

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.