In the fall of 2024, I spoke at a city-wide vigil honoring victims and survivors of domestic violence. I concluded with:
“Chattanooga is a place of beauty, growth and innovation. There are many worthy and necessary components that make our city and county – economic development areas, new ballparks, new community projects. But the true measure of a city is how it values people.
“I want us to be known for standing up for victims, for protecting the most vulnerable, for doing the right thing when it matters most. I want every person in this city to know that when they need help, when they are at their most desperate moment, we will be there.”

This was put to the test in November when we alerted our supporters and friends that with the federal government shutdown, we faced a freeze in funding for our Elder Support Program that serves 63 elderly and disabled neighbors. Through this program, our Homemakers respond to notifications from Adult Protective Services when seniors are at risk of homelessness, providing critical services to stabilize these neighbors.

Soon after our emails went out, we saw the measure of our city:
• Very quickly, many of you gave to support this program and return our Homemakers to their client’s homes.
• We received words from friends at the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga that they were talking with members on our behalf. From their conversations, members of the Foundation gave generously, covering a full month of Homemaker services.
• The Board of Directors for The Generosity Trust voted to provide us with a gift that covered nearly a full week of Homemaker services.
• A friend with a local foundation surprised us with a gift to cover our Homemaker salaries for the month of December.

Within a short time, Homemakers were brought back from furlough to visit elderly and disabled individuals across ten counties, ensuring they had their medication, visited doctors, had sufficient groceries and clean homes.
• At the same time, HHM CPAs called to say they had 85 boxes of food and a check to add a small turkey to each box. They wondered if we could use them. We quickly said, “Yes!” and our Homemakers visited our elderly clients with food for a week or more.
• As these gifts came in, UNUM was delivering Christmas gifts for our clients, including these elderly clients – and their grandchildren! For the first time in years, our elderly clients had the joy of participating in gift giving.

Our Homemakers delivered presents each client “wished” for like this story I received:

“Ms. Linda received a rollator for Christmas. Before this, when she needed the mobility support, even just for getting around the house, she had to borrow one from her roommate which often included waiting for access to it. Now she has independent freedom to move around on her own in her home.”

All of this was possible because you enabled us to put the Homemakers back in the field!

We saw the true greatness of this community in the generosity of its people. Some gave from their abundance, but we know many of you gave sacrificially. And because you gave, our elderly and disabled neighbors felt the support of their community. They saw first-hand that when they are at their most desperate moment, we will be there.

Thank you!