glasshousec – Glass House Collective

Hardy Fundraiser Blows Past Goal!

glasshousec — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 17:14:27 +0000

What an amazing week! In just ONE week we raised our goal and then some! You may have heard that Hardy Elementary School’s art teacher, Sara Cross, let us know at the beginning of April about a need at our community’s school. She was concerned that not every family had art supplies to do art at home and complete their art class assignments during this stay-at-home time.

Glass House Collective is here to respond to community needs whenever we can so we jumped right in and put out a call to the wider collective. What a response! Now, thanks to all of you, we surpassed our original goal of raising enough $7 donations to provide Art Anywhere Kits to every family at Hardy. We are now providing a kit to EVERY single kid! That’s 500 Art Anywhere Kits!

Thank you ALL so much for donating– friends close by and from afar!

Fundraiser for Hardy Elementary’s Art Anywhere Kit

glasshousec — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:51:08 +0000

This week, Glass House Collective was contacted by our partners at Hardy Elementary School about an immediate need. Art class assignments are continuing for all students and we need your help to ensure every family can complete their work and make art at home.

Your support of $7 will provide an Art Anywhere Kit to one family at Hardy.

Just $7.

Please consider making a donation in any amount and Glass House Collective will match every dollar donated by Sunday, April 12. This is why we’re here. With your support, we’re better together.

CLICK TO DONATE

What’s in the Art Anywhere Kit?

colored pencils
markers
water color paint
paint brushes
paper
scissors
art gum eraser
crayons
ideas
imagination
inspiration

CLICK TO DONATE

Special thanks to Sara Cross, Hardy Art Teacher, and ART120.

It Takes A Collective: COVID-19 Helpful Community Links

glasshousec — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:52:19 +0000

During these uncertain times, it is helpful to remember that we are all in this together. There is also a great deal of support and resources available to help us through. We will keep this list updated as new information comes in.

Public Health Information Updates From Government Officials
Center for Disease Control COVID-19 information page

Tennessee Health Department

Hamilton County Department of Health: Coronavirus Hotline: 423-209-8383 (open M–F 8 am–6 pm)

City Of Chattanooga Coronavirus Updates

City of Chattanooga COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Erlanger Hospital – Healthy Stay At Home information

Help For Families and Students

Hamilton County Schools Student Meal Deliveries – updates and call for volunteers

Hamilton County Schools Resources for Families

Wifi & Device Assistance for Students and Families during School Closures

United Way Of Chattanooga – Ways to give and receive help

United Way Of Chattanooga Facebook Page – frequently updated

Metropolitan Ministries – financial hardship assistance for utilities and rent and food

THRIVE Regional Partnership – Internet access map

THRIVE Regional Partnership – Family food resources

Temporary Halt On Evictions

IRS Tax Extension info

Media Sources
Times Free Press COVID-19 Landing Page (access is free!)
Chattanooga COVID-19 Community Assistance Facebook Page – frequent updates and links to resources.
List of Closures
NoogaToday

Help For Working Artists
Chattanooga Is – help for artists and ways artists can help
Arts Build – Financial help for artists during the public health crisis.

Information for Business Owners

Chattanooga Chamber Of Commerce – Community Updates and Public Health Resources for business

Ways You Can Help

Chattanooga Seniors Virtual Phone Bank – volunteers needed for virtual outreach

United Way Of Chattanooga – Ways to give and receive help

Hamilton County Schools Student Meal Deliveries – call for volunteers

Outdoor Recreation Options

National Park Service updates – If you can, get outside! Sherman Reservation + other areas of your national park are open with some amenities unavailable. Group outings are not recommended at this time. If you can’t get to the park, take a virtual tour from your home! Take The Virtual Tour!

Outdoor Chattanooga: Self-guided tours, ideas, and resources

More Park Options

Virtual Experiences and Outdoor Activities – via #ConnectChatt

Free Snack Packs and More at Archway

glasshousec — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:41:31 +0000

In response to the current public health situation our neighborhood partners at Archway have stepped up along with other community volunteers and donors to fill a great need in our neighborhood right now as best they can.

If you or someone you know is hungry and without food you can stop by Archway any day this week between the hours of 11 am-2 pm to pick up a free sack lunch while supplies last. There will also be free individually wrapped snacks and fresh fruit. Come by and see what else is available as some unexpected donations come in from day to day that will also be made available to those in need right now.

From our Board Member and Archway director, Carlos Hampton, “I am so proud to be a part of a network of organizations and community leaders that are able to band together in an effort to see and be a part of the big picture. This is larger than us, but we can definitely get more done together. This is Chattanooga.”

This is first come and first served and while supplies last. We will keep this info updated as the circumstances change. For now please take advantage of this generous open door this week (3/23-3/27).

Archway is located at 2523 Glass Street next to our pocket park and across the street from the free wifi hot spot.

Please use this list of helpful links for other community resources available this time.

Hamilton County School Delivering Student Meals

glasshousec — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:19:36 +0000

Beginning Monday, March 23, Hamilton County Department of Education will be repurposing their fleet of school buses and using these precious resources to deliver meals to students in Hamilton County during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Our neighborhood school at Hardy Elementary is one of the local sites where the buses are loading the food. Hamilton County Schools is committed to supporting our students during this temporary school closure. They have activated buses to deliver meals across the county in addition to their school-based meal sites.

Buses will run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Bus riders are limited to 2-3 volunteers on each bus to assist the driver with handing out meals at each drop off location.

Can you help? HCDE is calling for volunteers to help with this effort if it is safe for you and you are able. Volunteers MUST register in advance. HCDE asked that volunteer please not show up to one of the distribution hubs without registering first. The number of people on each bus is limited so that safe distancing practices can be maintained. Individuals interested in volunteering at this time please sign up at this link.

Please use this list of helpful links for other community resources available at this time.

New Hours and Service Changes from Hope For The Inner City

glasshousec — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:17:47 +0000

Hope For The Inner City has released COVID-19 operations updates for their facility on Roanoke Avenue.

The facility will be closed to the general public until further notice but their Mercy Assistance program will continue. They ask that anyone in need of this program right now to please call ahead before arriving during the new designated hours. 423-698-3178. Remember to bring your photo ID, Social Security card, proof of residence, and proof of all adult incomes in your household.

The Dental Clinic has been closed temporarily as well and has a tentative reopening date of April 3.

Donation and reception hours have shifted to 9 am-11 am only. The facility itself will only be open from 8 am until 12noon.

We will keep you updated as things are adjusted in the coming weeks.

Please use this list of helpful links for other community resources available at this time.

Free WiFi Hotspot on Glass Street

glasshousec — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:15:16 +0000

There is now a temporary and free wifi hot spot on Glass Street directly across from 2523 Glass Street and the playground. This is a wonderful public service made possible by our partners at EPB and Hamilton County Schools.

While keeping up your family’s safe and healthy distancing practices, you can drive over to the location, park in the open parking lot and access the free wifi to get some work or other online communications done. Bring the kids so they can complete homework and other online assignments during the quarantine.

If you’re on foot and keeping a safe social distance from others while using the free wifi, there are also benches and swings available. Please be smart and stay safe. We will get through this together !

To locate other free wifi hotspots in our area please check this link provided by our partners at Thrive.

Please use this list of helpful links for other community resources available at this time.

CALEB is Hiring!

glasshousec — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:23:01 +0000

CALEB is growing and looking to fill a new organizer position in the month of March! Details are below.

Job Title
Community Organizer

Job Summary
CALEB is seeking a community organizer to build the capacity of affiliate leaders through training and resource creation, coaching and program development and to build a connection between neighborhood level issues and broader city- or statewide work through campaign planning and collective public action. The position is designed to identify, train, and work with new leaders through CALEB’s three task forces as well as through the “SWAY: The People’s Guide to Community Organizing” curriculum and focused outreach.

Responsibilities and Duties
Identification and Recruitment of partner organizations, specifically in the East Chattanooga area
Aid partner organizations in strategic leadership recruitment
Training and Workshop Facilitation
Public Meeting Facilitation
Media and Communications Coordination, Social Media posts, press releases
Fundraising and Grant writing
Weekly one-on-one meeting goals
Weekly reporting
Weekly supervisory meeting with organizing director

Qualifications and Skills
· Some level of organizer training preferred
· At least 2 years experience in direct actions, organizing, and leadership development
· Passion for community engagement and leadership development, especially in most impacted communities
· Punctual, reliable, and communicative
· Vision, creativity, enthusiasm and excellent interpersonal skills
· Ability to work effectively in diverse communities
· Willingness to travel to support affiliates in person, to engage in network events and to participate in learning, professional development, relationship building and fundraising;
· Deep familiarity with working from an anti-oppression lens in pursuit of justice and radical inclusion;
· Success as an independent, self-motivated leader with an ability to drive projects to completion in a fast-paced environment

Salary and Benefits
Job: Full-time
Expectation 45 hours per week
Salary: $40,000 / year
Expenses Budget: $1,000 / year

How to Apply
Please fill out online application form HERE. You may submit cover letter and resume as well at info@calebcha.org

Working Better Together

glasshousec — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 19:57:50 +0000

Earlier this month a group of more than a dozen organizations and individuals working in East Chattanooga gathered at the Glass House Collective offices for the monthly Good Neighbor Network meeting. The February meeting had a particular focus for everyone working in our neighborhood to sit down and talk about ways to work better, together.

“Good things happen when we’re eye to eye, face to face, and able to absorb the passion many of us have for our neighborhood,” said GNN facilitator and neighborhood volunteer, Gail McKeel.

The room was packed and our talking circle was large including representatives from Hope For The Inner City, Hardy Elementary Community PTA, Boyce Station Neighborhood, CALEB, GreenSpaces, Glass Farm Neighborhood Association, Glass Farm Block Leaders, Building Stable Lives, City Farms Grower Coalition (formerly Grow Hope Farms), East Chattanooga food pantry project, alongside members of the Glass House Collective board of directors and staff, and Glass Farm residents and volunteers.

The Good Neighbor Network was launched to be a sounding board for ideas and a way to keep and build momentum for the work all of these groups are doing individually. Today, as more eyes and energies are focused on Glass Farm and East Chattanooga, beginning the year with a re-group to build consensus on the best ways to stay connected, focused and supportive, was important to neighborhood leaders.

“With the help of all interested parties, we’ll be able to structure our meetings and form committees to set goals, share the facilitation of the meetings this year, distribute the duties, and have more productive meetings,” McKeel said.

We appreciate Miss Gail’s leadership pulling this conversation together. It is clear that the collective is getting wider and deeper and that everyone involved believes in the power of partnerships!

GNN’s next meeting is Monday, March 2 at 6:30pm at the GHC HQ.

LINKS:
GNN Facebook page
City Farms Grower Coalition
Change Makers Workshops at Hardy Elementary
East Chattanooga food pantry

New Glass Farm Food Pantry Provides Nourishment for Body and Soul

glasshousec — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 21:20:53 +0000

Keeping an eye out for one another, noticing what’s needed, and acting on a desire to be the change you want to see. That’s what community work is all about. And while it can sometimes be hard knowing where to begin when an idea is brewing, East Chattanooga’s NeTasha McClure is showing us all how much of an impact one person can make.

McClure’s newest effort to show love for her neighbors popped up in Glass Farm this month near the corner of Glass Street and Crutchfield next to the new Save-A-Lot location. As that store is under construction this winter, McClure said she wanted to make sure that anyone in her community who was struggling and hungry could find food within reach.

McClure, 39, grew up in Chattanooga and believes in the mission of the local organization, Helping Hands, “to provide a place for people to obtain basic food items anonymously while building a sense of community amongst neighbors and changing the perception around hunger.” As a volunteer, NeTasha has helped fill the Helping Hands pantries located in the 37404 neighborhoods; but she noticed that there weren’t any pantries in 37406.

She also believes our human purpose is to help each other. So she decided to build a food pantry for her East Chattanooga neighbors.

Like most community work, it began with a spark and before she knew it, NeTasha had gathered the tools and talent to help her pull it off. She borrowed free tools from the Chattanooga Public Library’s Tool Lending Program, and, using donated wood pallets, got to work “making a mess” in her front yard.

“The library also recommended Rondell Crier, from Studio Everything, and that’s where the magic happened. Rondell and his apprentices taught me how to use the equipment, even donating the supplies,” McClure said.

Now that the Glass Street food pantry has been installed and filled with food, McClure said she will be making plans to create even more in other locations.

But that’s not all she’s creating. NeTasha has provided another kind of deeper nourishment with a homegrown project that not only inspires us, but lets everyone know that their needs are seen and supported.

Hear more from NeTasha McClure on WDEF-TV.

(photo credit: screenshot WDEF-TV interview)