Sally’s Story

“I first heard about the Glass House Collective two weeks or so ago through a Facebook post of a video created by your team. I was so energized by just that little tidbit that I found myself bringing it up almost constantly for the next few days to my friends, even though I hardly knew anything about it. The attitude and goal really resonated with me and I felt like it was something I wanted to be a part of. For the last several years I have been on the threshold of some big personal and intellectual growth and this summer, before my thesis year as an architecture student at Syracuse University, I’m hoping to cross it…”
E-mail to Teal, May 13, 2012

So began my relationship with Glass House. In a half-frenzied state, having just returned from a year of study in Europe, I was anxious to continue that process of learning in Chattanooga. So I decided to reach out. Incidentally, circumstances aligned and as much as I was ready to have an experience outside of my familiar realm Glass House Collective was ready to receive me and foster my growth.

In my two and a half months with them I primarily oversaw improvements to the building’s second story and all that it entailed. Developing my first interior design scheme, managing 20-person volunteer groups, and building a conference table from scrap wood were all part of the job description. Each day seemed to hold a new discovery. It didn’t take me long to realize that that maybe blood is not thicker than water after all—that the unique opportunity to learn from someone while working (and sweating!) for a common good is incredibly meaningful and the bond shared as a result is one not to be forgotten.

While of course things never go as planned, placing me in Chattanooga instead of New York and working for a non-profit rather than a high end architecture firm, I am all the better for it. I never could have known that not only would I have a fantastic work experience but that my time with Glass House would be a catalyst for a fundamental shift in the way I see our city. I had always understood Chattanooga as more broken than united, hindered by the complete lack of interest in parts of the city which would benefit most from a little attention. Now I know that with a small team and the conviction that everyone deserves a happier, healthier neighborhood, good things are bound to follow. Positive change is possible in our city and I can’t wait to be part of it.