2009 From the Director

In 2007 the Interfaith Homeless Network began a capital

campaign to construct a family day center for homeless

families with children. It began with the very successful

Roasting of Mayor Ron Littlefield when $140,000 was

raised. The Mayor was a very good sport!

With Bess Steverson and Barbara Law leading the

capital campaign, along with the IHN board of trustees and

staff, we began. Now, two years later, at 1184 Baldwin

Street sits a beautiful 5,000-square-foot family day center

for guest families, volunteers and staff members constructed

by Eastman Construction.

Throughout a process of this magnitude, divine intervention

and the incredible generosity of the Chattanooga

community prevailed. Even in the midst of a recession faith

and tenacity won.

There were so many individuals,

congregations, foundations,

businesses, corporations,

agencies and volunteers responsible

for building this dream. I

am grateful for every $5 donation

all the way up to $100,000,

not to mention some of the inkind

donations such as the gifts

of labor from the Komatsu Company;

furniture from First Tennessee

Bank and Blue Cross

Blue Shield; architectural drawings

by Billingsly Architecture; interior design and space

planning by Rev. Ann Weeks and Andrea McAlister; security

alarm system by Don Morgan of Action Alarm; gas fireplace

by Fine’s Hearth and Patio; and wire and cable

donated by Encore Wire and Coleman Cable. Our brick

pavers are being donated by Tracey Rico.

Soon we will have beautiful murals in the playroom,

nap room and reading areas by artist Gail Hinton, and the

beginnings of our landscaping plan by the UTC Agricultural

Extension Program, thanks to Kathleen Robinson,

master gardener. Our fingers are crossed on the playground

equipment.

Please mark your calendars for Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m.

for the grand opening of IHN’s Family Day Center at 1184

Baldwin Street, across from Indian River Fruit and P & P

Produce. Karen Olson, president of Family Promise and

founder of the Interfaith Hospitality Network will be the

guest speaker.

Many thanks to all of the dream makers who helped

make the dream of an IHN Family Day Center a reality.

Sincerely,

Mary Ellen Gallagher