By Hannah Herner
Recently, an anonymous benefactor contacted local muralist Rachyl LaGrone offering to pay for a mural, which could go to a recipient of her choosing. LaGrone ultimately picked local homeless services nonprofit Room In The Inn.
When LaGrone started planning the mural on Eighth Avenue South near Cannery Row, founder Father Charles Strobel was still alive. Strobel founded RITI in 1985, and it has since grown to offer daily meals and classes, 48 permanent supportive apartments, 74 transitional beds and a winter sheltering program, which is spread across more than 100 area congregations. Strobel died in August 2023. Earlier this year, Metro Nashville named its first permanent supportive housing units after Strobel.
The mural also pays tribute to longtime residents and beneficiaries of the Room In The Inn programming Melvin Scates and Carl Lillard, as well as the artist’s brother, Jordan LaGrone, who died during the planning process and was incorporated into the design. LaGrone says she was touched by the reactions of Scates’ and Lillard’s families, as well as the people walking by during the three weeks she spent painting.
“Once I started painting their faces it was crazy,” LaGrone tells the Scene. “People were coming out of the woodwork so excited to see them. I knew it would be important because of my brother, but everyone coming out, and seeing the big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. … It seems like it’s been really powerful and important to [the unhoused community] to feel seen.”
Hershel Lillard, Carl’s brother, gave his blessing for the mural. Hershel has used Room In The Inn services alongside his brother since 1996, and got sober and housed in 2016. He will begin working in maintenance at the organization in January.
“It gives me hope that Carl will never be forgotten,” Hershel says. “When [people] see that mural, I want them to think this place is not here just so you take a shower and stuff — they’re here because they love you and they want you to do better. That’s how I feel about this place.”
The unveiling comes in the midst of cold-weather-shelter season, which starts Nov. 1 and ends March 31. Now in its 39th season, the organization houses an average of 100 people experiencing homelessness per night, spread out to congregations across town. According to executive director Rachel Hester, RITI is looking for additional participants.
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