NUMBER OF BED NIGHTS AT CRITI IN 2018
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS BECAME EMPLOYED IN 2019
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS AT CRITI IN 2019
GRADUATES REMAINING IN PERMANENT HOUSING IN 2019
STORIES OF HOPE
Women with children are the fastest growing homeless group in our area. Chattanooga Room in the Inn provides housing and services at no charge, giving them the time they need to get back on their feet. Read the success stories of our amazing women.
CRITI showed me that I am not just a homeless person, but a human being, and how amazing I am! I know that I can get different results by making different choices. I'm happier than I have ever been.KATHRYN
CRITI Alum
After a few weeks at CRITI, my mom found a job. Being homeless was really motivating for me. It made me want to push harder, not only for me but for my mom. You know what CRITI does? It gives women hope!CHRISTINA
CRITI Alum
Without CRITI, I don't know where I would have ended up. CRITI gave me the chance to become a productive member of society. Most importantly, the staff believed in me so that I could believe in myself.TERESA
CRITI Alum
CRITI helped me establish a nest egg so that an emergency expense won't lead to homelessness again. For the people who support CRITI: You are giving us the will to keep going!CARLA
CRITI Alum
The scariest part about being homeless was wondering how it will affect my son. The other day he told me 'I don't give up because you never give up.' I never said that to him. He learned that by watching me.MONIQUE
CRITI Alum
My biggest blessing here was learning to love myself. I found home in me and I didn’t know that before. Sometimes you’ve got to leave everything you know to find out who you areCHRISTINE
CRITI Alum
NEWS & UPDATES AT CRITI
Thank you Starbucks on East Brainerd Road!!
They donated sandwiches, parfaits, bagels and treats to CRITI this week for our mom's and children.
It is truly a blessing to have such wonderful companies reach out and help make a difference in the lives of the women and children we serve.
Tis my Starbucks!
We’re so happy to help and serve our community! We love our mom’s and kids and know they deserve the world! We look forward to more partnership in the future! (Also join our community page! Search for “Starbucks @ E. Brainerd Community page!”) ❤️ ☕️ #stronglikecoffee
Chattanooga Room in the Inn's HomeAgain program offers permanent, safe and affordable housing for graduates of the program.
They are eligible for case management and all the services they received in-house at CRITI. Funded by the City of Chattanooga using funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), it was specifically aimed at creating affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness and providing the supportive services necessary to keep them from experiencing homelessness again.
CRITI got some exciting news this week! First Horizon Bank Foundation awarded us a special grant to cover some of our recent and unexpected expenses to respond to COVID-19. Thank you so much for supporting our community the way you do! You are wonderful neighbors to the nonprofits in our area.
Wonderful
That's awesome
Thank you First Horizon Bank Foundation!
Yay!!
In 1988, a study by the Chattanooga Metropolitan Council on homelessness found there were few options available to single women and women with children who found themselves homeless. Christine Morrison spearheaded efforts to recruit church and volunteers to host the homeless guest’s.
The result was astonishing: Chattanooga Room in the Inn officially began on August 31, 1988, offering overnight shelter at seven area churches (Brainerd Church of Christ, Central Presbyterian Church, First Centenary United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, Hixson Church of Christ, Hixson United Methodist Church, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church).
In 1992, Chattanooga Room in the Inn moved into its own facility and developed into a fully operational shelter open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Today, CRITI still operates as a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year facility to help women and children overcome homelessness.
We have a lot to be thankful for this week! In case you are a new friend of CRITI's, you might not know that we became pet friendly in 2018 and in 2019 we got a generous grant from PetSmart Charities which allows us to provide for the fur-babies we get. Meet the newest addition, Kona! Also pictured is Mia, the fur-baby of Tamarah Lea who was helping her shop today!
Yesterday we got a big surprise from Mercy Chefs with plenty of food to feed a small army. Thanks to Mercy Chefs and Journey Church, Chattanooga and Stephen Holmes for arranging that!
And a big hug goes to Duane and Christine Baker for the donation of toiletries. It takes a village and we love our villagers who take care of us!
Happy Thank You Thursday y'all!
