GENERAL INFORMATION
Please note: the terms The Way Maker Place and The Waymaker Place may be used interchangeably, however for the legal filing of the non-profit organization, it is listed on this page as The Waymaker Place.
Way Maker Place is a newly established (February 2024) 501(c)(3), faith-based, “room and board” organization in Springfield, TN for men ages 18-40 who need guidance and supervision. Residents have their own living space and are encouraged to perform daily tasks and self-care activities independently, while receiving the guidance and support needed to empower them to thrive and live their best life. This balanced approach fosters autonomy, dignity, and community engagement. A very low resident to staff ratio combined with the high level of personal care and attention each resident receives truly makes it home for those who live there.
Way Maker Place has the appearance of a 5-star vacation destination, nestled in a beautiful, wooded setting outside Nashville on 3.8 acres with a creek, walking trail, and local wildlife. The cheery red house welcomes residents and visitors alike with its covered front porch and rocking chairs, comfortable interior, and expansive grounds. The families of the current residents say they feel incredibly grateful to have found such a wonderful location with compassionate, competent care for their disabled loved ones. Founders Dr. Chris and Sue Banning know first-hand the challenges families face and, as a result, are able to connect with residents and their extended families with heartfelt warmth and deep compassion.
Mission: Providing a safe place to Live, to Grow, to Thrive.
Vision Statement:
- To provide hope and to help each individual reach their highest level of independence and inspire them to reach attainable goals;
- To provide assurance to families that the ones entrusted to our care are thriving while living at Way Maker Place;
- To learn about each person’s unique gifts as they grow and to prepare them for opportunities which match their gifts and skill level;
- To develop a relationship with local employers, volunteer organizations and surrounding community to help our residents participate in the workforce, activities and lives of those around them;
- To discover and develop relationships with key partners, donors, and friends to ensure that Way Maker Place will be a welcoming facility that can provide grace, care, stability, and safety for the individual and their family for many years to come; and most important of all:
- To provide a place of hope in Christ Jesus.
FULL HISTORY
History: In 2010, Dr. Chris and Sue Banning’s son Joshua was diagnosed with a condition that changed the way he was able to live his life. Josh had just turned 17 years old. The turmoil leading up to the diagnosis and in the years that followed turned the Bannings’ life upside-down and impacted every member of their extended family. A trusted counselor who had been part of Josh’s journey for 14 years advised that Josh would do well in a group home setting with peers and a structured environment. The decision to move Josh to a home was a painful one for his parents and meant the end of many hopes and dreams the Bannings had for their son, but they realized the decision was the right one for Josh as well as the immediate family. Once the decision to place him in a home was made, Sue says: “It took a long time to find one, because we didn’t want him to go live just anywhere”; but when they found a suitable place, they quickly realized that environment did indeed work for Josh.
Relieved, Chris and Sue thought they had found a long-term solution. Nine months later, when they discovered the home was not all they believed it to be and had to remove Josh for his well-being, they were shocked, disappointed, and at a loss as to next steps for their family. Thinking she was finally able to focus on her own health needs, Sue (60 years old at the time) had just had surgery to install a pacemaker to correct a serious heart problem that her doctor stated was due to the cumulative stress of caretaking.
Around that time (May of 2023) and while still very much searching for their own answers, the Bannings felt that God was prompting them to look beyond themselves and do something about the incredible need for quality, affordable, safe homes for people with disabilities – to provide a place that would not only be a shelter, but a place for young men to grow and thrive. To provide a solution to their own problem, but one that would also bring hope and relief to more families than just their own.
The Bannings decided to follow God’s leading. They purchased a house in January of 2024, deeded and paid off to the non-profit organization. Their son Josh has successfully settled in at The Waymaker Place, and Dr. Chris and Sue are filled with joy and gratitude to be able to offer an affordable place to others. The outpouring of community support in the short time The Waymaker Place has been open is evidence of the great need for more places like it and for people like Dr. Chris and Sue Banning who are willing to take their deepest pain and allow it to be used to help other families experiencing similar struggles.
STAFF AND LEADERSHIP
Dr. Chris Banning – Having experienced the benefits of chiropractic at the young age of 18 after a weightlifting injury, Chris chose chiropractic as his profession. He received his undergraduate prerequisites at Olivet Nazarene College where he met his future wife, Sue, in Accounting class in the Fall of 1982. After the Bannings married, they moved to Marietta, Georgia, where Chris attended Life Chiropractic University and ultimately graduated with a doctor of chiropractic degree in 1988. He has been self-employed nearly his entire career and practices at White House Chiropractic in White House, Tennessee, which the Bannings have called home for nearly 30 years. Chris absolutely loves helping people through chiropractic and at the age of 61 years has no plans to stop, saying he would love to continue practicing as long as he is physically able. He has been a member of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association for 34 years and has served in his local church as a board member, Sunday School teacher, and life group leader.
Sue Banning met her future husband, Chris, and earned an AA degree in Secretarial Science at Olivet Nazarene College (1983). Ever since, Sue has provided skilled administrative and bookkeeping support for Chris and has worked for 34 years (and counting) as Office Manager at their successful practice, While House Chiropractic. Sue is also known as “Mom” to their two kids, Lindsay and Josh, and by her current favorite title, “Mimi” to granddaughter, Emberly. Prior to starting The Waymaker Place, the Banning family spent summers serving the homeless together in Nashville, TN.
Information about the house manager will be added soon.
Board – The Waymaker Place has a 7-member board of directors that meets several times each year to provide foresight, oversight, and insight. Board members regularly volunteer their time outside of board meetings, and 100% of board members give financially to The Waymaker Place.
Volunteers – We are grateful to have local and out-of-state volunteers who have come to spend time with our residents and lend a hand getting the home established. Volunteers from Petitt Heating and Cooling, GoodNaz, Mr. Carmel Baptist Church, Life Center Church, M2 Tool & Equipment Rental, PhilintheBox, LLC., and Toby Tate Advanced Tree, LLC. have come out to work on the property, create and maintain nature trails, provide maintenance for the heating/HVAC system, and more! Community members have also provided meals and donated exercise equipment so the residents can work out.
Community Partners – TWP partners with the local nonprofit Biblical Concepts, which provides TWP with administrative support, training, resident screening, etc. TWP also volunteers in the community – every week, The Waymaker Place residents serve on the Stone Soup Ministry crew from Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, taking meals to elderly shut-ins.
“‘Who will take care of my disabled adult child when I’m gone?’ is the question that keeps parents up at night.” – Dr. Chris Banning, co-founder of The Waymaker Place
Services Provided:
The Waymaker Place provides a safe and comfortable place to live on a beautiful, spacious acreage. Each resident has a private room and shared bathroom/shower facilities. The needs of each disabled resident are unique, so The Waymaker Place offers a variety of services geared towards supporting each resident’s unique situation.
Assistance available includes (but is not limited to):
- Medication management and reminders
- laundry services (washing, drying and folding)
- regular cleaning and organization of living space
- volunteer opportunity coordination and transportation
- recreational and fitness equipment and activities
- transportation to doctor appointments, church, community service, and social and community events
- grocery shopping
- on-site meal and snack preparation with an emphasis on healthy and balanced meals
- Residents also have access to computers and the internet, assistance with phone and video calls, and the use of devices for communication and entertainment
- Socialization – friends, family, and community influencers are invited to share meals with us at The Waymaker Place
- Bible studies (like all faith-based activities at The Waymaker Place, these are offered, but not required)
At The Waymaker Place, we delight in discovering what brings our residents joy. One resident, Matthew, loves to go bike riding, but hasn’t been able to since the traumatic brain injury that caused his disability. Someone recently donated a special bike for Matthew, and Dr. Chris took Matthew and the bike to a Master Fabricator who used his skills to modify and stabilize the bike so Matthew could ride comfortably and safely. This level of thoughtful, intentional care would not be possible in a larger setting and lets each resident know they are valued.
Testimonials: “It has been 3 months today that we took Matt to Waymaker Place to live. The Bannings have been an answer to so many of our prayers. They’ve provided him a safe place to live, shown him love, and cared for him in countless ways. We are so grateful for God placing Waymaker Place and the Banning family in Matt’s life and in ours.” From Debbie, Matt’s mom
Thank you for being a part of our story. ❤️
