Alix and her two small children were admitted to CRITI’s program at the beginning of the summer after being displaced from their family home. She had already been working full time, so she needed a stable place to stay while she saved and worked on meeting personal goals.
Throughout her stay here, Alix was an active participant in the program by attending life skills classes, meeting with case management, and managing personal goals.
After around five months, Alix secured permanent housing where her security deposit and two months of rent were paid by Housing Forward Grant Funds we applied for through Hamilton County Homeless Coalition. These funds allowed her to continue saving while she settled into her new home. Additionally, one of CRITI's partners fixed her car for free so she and her children would have transportation.
Alix and her children graduated CRITI’s program successfully and now have a place of their own to call home.
Your continued support fuels success stories such as Alix's and we are forever grateful to you!
WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE MOVING DAYS!
Jewel and her two kids came to us six months ago after Jewel lost her job, which then caused them to become homeless. The children were thankfully able to stay at grandma's house, but without enough space, Jewel had nowhere to land so she was forced to sleep in her car. Having to sleep separately from her children, Jewel sought help with a caseworker and so she was referred to our program. We were able to accommodate all three and they had a room of their own while Jewel worked on life skills that would ultimately help her achieve permanent housing and stability for her and the children.
We're proud we were able to help guide the trio to where they are now, but we're even more proud of the work Jewel did while she was here. It's hard work to rebuild your life, but she did it, and we're happy to report she's now enrolled in our Aftercare Program where we will check in with her and the two kids for twelve months so they know they have an entire village of CRITI staff behind them as support.
In response to Imagine Chattanooga 20/20, ARTSBuild has a program aimed at making arts and culture more accessible to underserved populations. This initiative focuses on inclusivity across geographic areas, ethnic backgrounds, age groups, and individuals with disabilities. The goal is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage with and enjoy the arts in their community.
With a grant awarded to us in October by ARTSBuild, our resident children are getting ready for an exciting adventure every Monday night during our Enrichment Hour! Resident children will dive into a world of creativity as they explore various art forms and express themselves in fantastic new ways. Through fun and engaging activities, they'll not only unleash their artistic talents but also strengthen their bond with the community. It's an amazing opportunity for young minds to shine and grow!