There are churches located in certain areas around Chattanooga that face challenges that other churches around the city do not face, such as gang activity, drugs, inadequate housing, fatherlessness, illiteracy, etc.  Serving in these neighborhoods can feel overwhelming at times.

With well-meaning intentions, a number of churches and civic organizations from outside these areas have attempted to serve these communities; however, they have seen little or no success.  Part of the problem is that many organizations have come into these neighborhoods with preconceived notions about what the people needed.  They made plans without getting to know those who live and serve in these communities.  Events were held.  Gifts were handed out. Work projects conducted. These were good things and many people received help, but there hasn’t been change.There are a growing number of groups, churches, organizations, and individuals who believe that we can accomplish more by working together than working alone.  But, rather than going into communities and doing what we think needs to be done, we want to collaborate and come alongside churches and organizations who are already in those communities.  We want to help them reach out and make a difference in their neighborhoods.

We are working together through a year round program we call Adopt-A-Block.  A collaboration of churches and organizations working alongside the churches and people in the neighborhood on projects… small home improvement, yard work, clean-up, etc.  The reason it works is because Adopt-A-Block is simply loving and serving people with consistency.

We’ve been knocking on doors, introducing ourselves, handing out information packets and offering help.  We have also filled many trash bags, which is an on-going need.  If you are a skilled worker, and are interested in providing carpentry, plumbing, electrical, gardening/landscape, tree removal, or other professional level services, please contact us. We have project requests that are waiting on skilled volunteers to be available. All work does not have to take place on the scheduled monthly work days.

We have completed many projects that have truly been a blessing to the families who received our help.  The people working on these projects have also been blessed, hearts have opened, and lives have changed. 

In addition, we have adopted the East Lake Courts Recreation Center.  It is the one area at the East Lake Courts that we can work on that will benefit everyone there.  We have developed close working relationships with the Chattanooga Housing Authority and the Resident Association at East Lake Courts.  We were recently honored by CHA for the outstanding work that our volunteers did this summer with the on-site summer camp for children ages 5 – 12 yrs.   We are also continuing our involvement through the school year by offering after-school tutoring for first through fifth grades, Monday through Thursday, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

We have established ourselves in the East Lake community and look forward to expanding to other communities in our city.  We welcome partners and volunteers to join us at the level which works for you and/or your organization.  We have monthly planning meetings, which we encourage our partners to attend.  Please contact us for further information or to get on our e-mail list for ongoing updates.

Thank you for your interest and we hope you join us on our next workday!