WHO WE ARE
ABOUT
LEADERSHIP
Melony Pugh-Weber, Founder & Executive Director
Melony Pugh-Weber is an experienced youth worker, Christian lay counselor, small group leader and speaker. Since its inception in 1987, Melony has helped build Touchstone from an idea to a reality that has served thousands of students. In 2008 Melony was recognized along with Jim Weber as the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Innovator of the Year for her work with CiViL. She is a gifted communicator to youth and adults all over the country. Contact us to inquire about having Melony Pugh-Weber at your next event.
Jim Weber, Founder & Associate Executive Director
Jim Weber has been working with students here and abroad for forty years as a mentor, speaker, worship leader and small group facilitator. He co-founded Touchstone with Melony Pugh-Weber and helped develop CiViL to provide social and emotional learning for high school students. In 2019 Jim along with Melony Pugh-Weber received the Tennessee Governor’s Star Award for work with CiViL. Jim is also a Dove Award-winning songwriter and singer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Glenn Hunter – Chair – Hunter & Beyond, LLC, Los Angeles, CA
Sarah James Myatt – Vice Chair – Dollar General – Nashville, TN
Joel Robbins – Secretary – Hospital Corporation of America, Nashville, TN
Joshua Auman – Treasurer – squareV LED Video Products, Nashville, TN
Anthony Herrera – Enterprise Rent-a-car, Nashville, TN
Tracy Ross – Hospital Corporation of America, Nashville, TN
Susanne Frensley – Nashville School of the Arts, Nashville, TN
Charles Edwards – UC Surgical, Nashville, TN
Jim Weber – Touchstone Youth Resource Services, Nashville, TN
VOLUNTEERS
Touchstone volunteers serve on committees, work on events, facilitate CiViL Groups, and pray for the Touchstone community. Touchstone could not continue without them!
HISTORY
Touchstone Youth Resource Services was founded in 1987 in order to provide music, teaching, counseling, and youth ministry resources to camps, churches, mission organizations, and schools.
In 2004, Touchstone created CiViL, a non-religious social and emotional asset-building initiative at Nashville’s Stratford High School. Starting with two small groups, CiViL grew to over twenty groups, serving over 180 students in the 2010/2011 school year. Learn More.
In 2011/2012 CiViL expanded to an off-campus site, partnering with YCAP to become CiViL-East, then moved to House of Blessing Church for increased space, flexibility and volunteer participation. CiViL-Hillsboro was expanded from one class to three in partnership with the Developing Community Leaders (DCL) curriculum.
In 2019 Touchstone began providing restorative circle leadership for Hillsboro High School’s Extended School program.
CiViL is currently provided on-campus at these six Nashville area locations.
- Hillsboro High School
- Hillwood High School
- John Overton High School
- Oliver Middle School
- Nashville School for the Arts
- Rocketown – a teen club and skate park that draws students from public and private schools all across the district.