About Rocketown

Mission

Offering hope to the next generation through Christ’s love.

Vision

To be the place of peace, purpose and possibilities for youth.

History

Founded by contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, Rocketown of Middle Tennessee is a faith-based youth outreach facility in the heart of downtown Nashville. Rocketown was founded in 1994 as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization, a "Public Benefit Corporation".

The Ministry

The volunteers and staff approach working with youth is holistic, with programs and services nurturing the mind, body and spirit. Youth are engaged through attraction-based facilities and programs like the Sixth Avenue Skatepark, live music and event venue, dance classes, recording studios, coffee shop, Rocketown's Assisted Meal Program (RAMP), summer camps, and afterschool academic enrichment and creative arts programs. Once youth are engaged and have become part of the Rocketown community, staff introduce them to more ministry-centered programs like Skate Church and Family Dinner gatherings.

In 2019 Rocketown had over 18,000 youth visits and another 253,000 community visits representing every social demographic of the greater Nashville area and surrounding counties.

How We Reach Teens

• Sixth Avenue Skatepark and Skate Shop
• Event venue for concerts and live entertainment
• Gospel Message is shared at weekly Skate Church and Family Dinners
• Recording studio
• Art, computer and jam lab studios
• Summer Camps
• Volunteer Opportunities
• College Internships
• Averaging 800+ teens per week, Rocketown has received nearly half a million visits during its existence.

Rocketown Results

Although we know the breadth of impact is important, we strive every day to look beyond just the number of people in the building to what we believe is most important—the individual lives that are changed. Here teens find what they’re desperately searching for—acceptance, a place to be themselves, people who care and listen. Individual stories include: 15 year old Lisa, who was struggling with self-esteem and finding friends, until she began participating in classes and girls group; 16 year old Justin who comes to the skatepark as a place to stay away from drugs and negative influences; and former 18-year old gang member, Ray, who has turned his life around through a rap song writing and performing group.

While reaching local youth, we are also serving as a model for faith-based relational outreach across the country with dozens of organizations seeking our assistance for their own communities. Rocketown facilitates regular workshops for organizations who are interested in developing similar outreaches.

We Need Your Help

Because relationships are the backbone of everything that takes place at Rocketown, volunteers are indispensable.

Financially, Rocketown generates 50% of its revenue through charitable contributions and 50% through event rentals and product sales. You can make a difference with your time, contributions and event rentals for corporate or private events.

Rocketown is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against staff members or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin,age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state or local law. In Tennessee, the following are a protected class: race; creed; color; religion; sex; age (40 or over); national origin; physical, mental or visual disability; National Guard membership; and tobacco use during nonworking hours.