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Our Mission

To further the cause of Christ through good works done in His name. To God be the Glory. Amen.

About Us

The Yow Foundation was founded by Erin and Eric Yow on September 4, 2017. YFI is a non-profit organization that seeks out opportunities to bless the citizens of the Clarksville and Montgomery County communities, in the name of the Lord. Whatever the need may be, YFI looks to help. We praise the Lord for the capacity to be a blessing, and we pray for the opportunity to do so.

Board of Directors

Eric Yow

President

Eric J. Yow, President of YFI, is husband to Erin G. Yow and father to two daughters, Emmalyn and Elyza.  Eric is an attorney and entrepreneur in Clarksville, Tennessee. 

As graduate of Freed-Hardeman University, he has previously served in pulpit ministry in the Churches of Christ.  Upon graduation from the University of Memphis School of Law, he moved to Clarksville to begin his practice in 2007.  He is senior partner at Goble & Yow, Attorneys PLLC, where his primary work is in criminal defense law.  Eric runs a successful real estate investment business, Yow Home Buyers, LLC, and owns a title company, Apex Title. 

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and auto racing.  In 2017 he founded Yow Foundation, Inc., with an eye toward being able to bless countless families in Clarksville and Montgomery County.  Eric also serves on the Board of Clarksville Christian School and has served in a similar capacity working with other nonprofits.  With relentless dedication to the Lord, the Yow family endeavors to use their talents, abilities, network, and influence to be a blessing to their community through the efforts of YFI.

Garrett Dickerson

Vice President

Garrett is the Regional Development Director for Thrivent’s South Region. Garrett lives in Clarksville, TN with Kristin, his wife of 12 years, and their three sons, Anders, Garron, and William. Garrett and Kristin are alumni of Lipscomb University where they each completed their undergraduate and graduate work with the College of Business and the College of Education. Kristin now serves as the Lower School Principal at Clarksville Christian School.

In his career, he has served as a teacher and coach, the Director of Marketing and Communication for national on-site healthcare company, a football official for the Ohio Valley and Mid-South conferences where he was selected to work the NAIA Football National Championship. He has also devoted his time to serving as a deacon for his church community and as a member of multiple advisory boards for local Christian schools.

In 2016, Garrett launched a financial planning practice with Thrivent, the “Wise With Money Company,”. With Thrivent, he recognized an opportunity to live out his faith and meet an incredible social need of financial literacy and financial planning in the Christian Community. He was asked in 2018 to step into a leadership role in the South Region. He is now focused on identifying and coaching successful people that have an entrepreneurial spirit, are driven to lead their community through the stewardship of business, and desire to provide financial impact in non-profits and churches to advance the Kingdom. He believes everything we have is a gift from God, and we are simply called to use the time, talents, and treasures we have been given to the best our ability for Him.

Jennifer Yates

Treasurer

Jennifer Yates serves as an advocate for the organization’s mission “To further the cause of Christ through good works done in His name.” and directly works with Project 3218 to provide “Places of peace, security, and rest.” As Treasurer, Jennifer maintains stewardship of the financial affairs for the organization and oversees the development of the organization’s financial policies.

Jennifer earned a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Austin Peay State University and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Mathematics from Austin Peay State University. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Western Governors University and Project Management Certification from CompTIA. For over two decades, she served as a Mathematics Educator in the classroom and now specializes in working with students through the Department of Student Services for Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. Jennifer is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and has served as an International Officer for over fourteen years. Jennifer is also a member of Trenton Crossing Church of Christ.

Jennifer has a true passion for volunteering and helping others. Recreationally, she enjoys crafting, organizing and playing games. Jennifer also loves spending time with friends and family, especially her beautiful nieces and energetic nephews.

Erin Yow

Board Secretary

Erin Yow, Board Secretary of YFI, is the wife of Eric Yow and the mother of Emmalyn and Elyza Grace. A graduate of Freed Hardeman University, Erin holds a B.S. in Child and Family Studies, as well as multiple certifications in Child Development and Administration. Erin is the Director of Hilldale Christian Child Care Center and the Director of Preschools for Clarksville Christian School.

Erin became the Director of Hilldale Christian Child Care Center soon after graduation and has worked tirelessly to create a positive learning environment for her students, their families, and her employees. Erin believes that children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) and should be treated as such. Children are our future and it is our responsibility to develop these future leaders. It is imperative we equip them with the skills to be successful emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

A graduate of Leadership Clarksville 2020, Erin is passionate about serving her community. Erin leads multiple ministry and Bible study groups and hopes that her love for the Lord is evident in every aspect of her life. She has hosted and volunteered at local safety events with Safe Kids Worldwide and served on local action committees. She has also worked and volunteered her time at Clarksville Christian School and with her local church in various capacities. In 2017 the Yow Foundation, Inc. was formed with the goal of blessing families in Clarksville Montgomery County.

With relentless dedication to the Lord, the Yow family endeavor to use their talents, abilities, network, and influence to be a blessing to their community through the efforts of YFI.

Matt Cole

At Large Member

Matt is a proud to call Clarksville, TN home, where he works and lives with his son Tristan. Matt’s roots run deep in the Clarksville community, and he has been both humbled and excited to be given opportunities to serve it’s residents in multiple ways.

Matt is an Alumnus of Austin Peay State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. Matt is an entrepreneur and founder of multiple local companies: Matt Cole Construction, LLC, Clarksville Zombie Hunters, LLC, and Persimmon Creek Farms, LLC.

In his career, he has started companies from the ground up, working in construction, agriculture, real estate, and recreational agritourism. He has volunteered as the golf coach at Clarksville Christian School and his family worships at Hilldale Church of Christ.

In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, building cars, and racing cars.

Chris Middleton

At Large Member

Chris Middleton and Annalise, his wife of 17 years, moved to Clarksville in August 2018. They met each other while they both attending Rochester College in Rochester Hills, Michigan. They have 2 beautiful children, Elitta and Cyler. Although born and raised in South East Michigan, the Middleton family is active in serving the Clarksville community.

Chris serves as the youth minister for the Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing and is a leader for the Clarksville Service Camp. Chris’ deepest desire is to serve the needs of Clarksville, in hopes that all may have an opportunity to hear and know the fullness of Jesus Christ. Through his work with the youth group at Trenton Crossing, he is helping mold lives to become fully devoted followers of Christ, teaching them to be doers of the word through hospitality to one another and their community.

Chris loves playing basketball, a relaxing round of golf, a hot cup of coffee, the Detroit Tigers, outdoor activities, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Our Branding

The image representing our organization has been intentionally designed to be both professional and caring simultaneously. It has a motion to it to mimic our movement as a living, breathing, organization that is going to be active and alive in our community.

The script text was inspired through a meditation on our fondational passage in Corinthians. We have a very deep passion for living out the two greatest commands, Loving God and Loving People. We strongly desire those threads to be evident in all we do. The book of Corinthians is filled with the message of Grace and Love of Christ. The Corinthians were wicked sinners when Paul came to them, but his ministry of the gospel of God’s grace completely changed their lives. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verse 3, Paul writes, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” The script text and the heart image in our branding have been brought together to represent the “Cause of Christ” that has been written on each of our hearts to purse Loving God and Loving people in each initiative of YFI.

Our mission, “To further the cause of Christ through good works done in His name” was inspired by 1st Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 31. However, beyond verse 31 into verse 33 it says, “For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many.” This message of “reaching all” inspired our tagline, “For the Good of Many,” and very clearly speaks from one of our key passages that we are called as Christians and as an organization to do good beyond our immediate influence in many different ways.