At Bridges of Blount County, we believe that every person deserves a second chance and the opportunity to rebuild their life with dignity, purpose, and hope. Our halfway house provides a safe, structured, and supportive environment for individuals in recovery and transition—helping them bridge the gap between where they’ve been and where they’re going.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to provide a pathway to lasting recovery, independence, and community connection. We walk alongside each resident as they learn to navigate life after addiction, incarceration, or other hardships, offering accountability, encouragement, and practical tools for success.
What We Do
Bridges of Blount County is more than just a place to live—it’s a place to grow. We provide:
- Safe Housing: A secure and sober environment where residents can focus on healing and rebuilding.
- Life Skills Training: Guidance in employment readiness, financial responsibility, and healthy relationships.
- Community Support: Connection to local resources, mentors, and peer support networks.
- Accountability & Structure: Clear expectations that encourage personal responsibility and positive choices.
Our Vision
We envision a community where recovery is possible for everyone, where individuals are not defined by their past, and where hope can be rebuilt one step at a time. By fostering resilience, responsibility, and restoration, we strive to break cycles of addiction and incarceration—replacing them with stability, faith, and purpose.
Why We Exist
We know that change is hard, and no one should have to face it alone. Too many men and women leave treatment centers or incarceration without the support they need to succeed long-term. Bridges of Blount County exists to fill that gap—to stand as a bridge between struggle and stability, between isolation and community, between despair and hope.
Our Team
Hey! I’m Katie Bryant, Executive Director and proud Blount County native whose journey has been shaped by both struggle and grace. My battle with addiction and the stigma that comes with it eventually brought me to the rooms of recovery after facing painful consequences. It was in Middle Tennessee where I first found recovery, and for the first time in my life, I heard people speaking a language that felt like my own—the language of the heart.
When recovery brought me back home to Blount County, I knew I wanted to stay connected and give back. I began getting plugged into service work, and the most rewarding service I’ve ever been involved in has been carrying recovery meetings into the Blount County Jail. Walking back into that space—this time bringing hope, healing, and connection—has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Recovery has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams, one filled with peace, purpose, and love. Today, I am blessed to walk this path not only as a wife to Timothy Bryant and as a mom to Jemma and Easton, but also as a woman committed to giving away what was so freely given to me. My needs are always met, my dreams are within reach, and my greatest joy is helping others discover that the same transformation is possible for them, too. All the glory goes to my Higher Power, as I must always remain “right sized.”
Hello! I’m Tracee Westall, Assistant Director and my journey has been anything but easy. From a young age, I found myself in and out of jail on various charges, all tied to my drug addiction. During my last time locked up, I was given what I now know was a blessing—the chance to enter Blount County Drug Court. At the time, I only saw it as a way out. Honestly, I’ll tell you that I got clean on accident. I had no intention of staying sober; my only plan was to avoid serving 118 years in prison until I could figure out how to use again without getting caught.
As part of drug court, I needed a sponsor, and with hesitation, I reached out to Katie Bryant. I had first met her when she brought 12-step meetings into the jail, and I was certain she wouldn’t want to sponsor me just to help me “check a box.” To my surprise, Katie said yes—and she truly meant it. Through working the steps with her and using the resources drug court provided, something inside me began to change. I realized I didn’t want to use anymore. For the first time, I started to love myself and embrace the life I was building with the help of so many others.
Today, I stay active in service work and in my church, because I believe it was God who saved my soul so that recovery could save my ass. My story is proof that even when you don’t believe change is possible, recovery can transform your life in ways you never imagined.