June 2026

A lot of people think we are just a shelter, but we are so much more than that.

Thirty-seven years ago, someone looked at homelessness in Chattanooga and decided to do something about it. Chattanooga Room in the Inn opened its doors in 1988 with a simple but powerful belief: that every woman and child deserves a safe place to land and a real chance to rebuild their life. Since then, our programs have grown, our reach has deepened, and our graduates number in the hundreds. But our mission has never changed.

Today, CRITI offers a comprehensive, free, six-month residential program for women and children experiencing homelessness. Our goal is not just to give families a place to stay. It is to make sure they never experience homelessness again. Residents work across five focus areas (Health, Housing, Finances, Family, and Career) with access to case management, counseling, life skills training, daily meals, child advocacy services, and help finding permanent housing. And after they graduate, our aftercare program stays connected for up to twelve months to make sure everything they have built stays standing. From the first night to the last follow-up call, we are in it for the long haul.

And we are still growing.

We are proud to have introduced our newest pilot initiative last month: the Unaccompanied Youth Program, developed in partnership with Hamilton County Schools to provide shelter, stability, and wraparound support for teenagers ages 16-18 experiencing homelessness without a parent or guardian in Hamilton County. Our very first resident moved in, and they brought a four-legged companion named Gilbert.

CRITI is a pet-friendly shelter so Gilbert didn't have to be left behind. The Dandelion Kind stepped up to cover all of his veterinary needs, and a generous donor made sure he arrived with everything he needs to thrive. No one should have to choose between safety and the pet who loves them unconditionally, and thanks to the CRITI community, they didn't have to.

Thirty-seven years in, women and children are still walking through our doors. And we are still walking every step of the journey with them.

We can tell you what Chattanooga Room in the Inn does, but the women who have lived it can tell you what it means.

We are so proud to share this video featuring the real voices of women currently in our program and graduates who have walked through our doors, done the hard work, and built a future for themselves on the other side. They talk about what it is really like to go through our six-month program with a dedicated team walking alongside them every step of the way. They talk about the aftercare program that stays connected long after graduation. And they talk about what it feels like to come out the other side with stability, confidence, and a life they built for themselves.

Home.

We will let this one speak for itself.

"I am incredibly grateful to CRITI for the safe shelter they provided when I was a resident there, and for the continued support as I transition into life now in my own apartment, which allowed me to finally be reunited with my dog. Pippi Shortstocking and I can't thank you enough for helping us find our way home."

This is why we do what we do. A woman with her own apartment, her own future, and her dog by her side. Welcome home!

Our Annual Sponsorship program gives businesses the chance to gain year-round marketing visibility while supporting women and children experiencing homelessness.

Sponsors are featured across TV, radio, print, digital and paid social media, as well as CRITI’s website, newsletter, and events. Every marketing opportunity keeps CRITI at the center, connecting your business with a trusted local nonprofit and the families we serve.



Become a sponsor and join us in making a lasting impact while sharing your commitment with the community.

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Shelter to Stability Donor Society

Join the Shelter to Stability Donor Society and make a meaningful impact in the lives of women and children in our program. Your dedication can transform into essential resources like clean clothes, mental health counseling, and life skills classes, all of which contribute to a path toward stable living. Together, we can create a brighter future for those in need.

Thank you to our current donor society members!

• Wayne and Sarah Anthony
• Lisa Carroll
• Susan Davenport
• Brenda Eason
• Julie and Chris Edmondson
• Jordan Farmer
• Rachel Geddes
• ​Roeland Haynes-Bencosme
• ​Jacob Hennings
• Taylor Hixson and Brian McDonald
• Hixson First Baptist Church
• Deborah Hulse
• Ashley Keith-Lynch
• Steve and Meredith Klein
• Jack McKee Family

• Diane Meadows
• DeeAnna and Greg Petree
• Justin and Hannah Phillips
• James Roides
• Erin Rountree
• Mitzi and Scott Ruth
• Karen Scott
• Malissa Talbert
• The Anderson Family
• Pamala and Robert Thompson
• Delores Weaver
• Anonymous (x97)

Girl Scout Troop 40837

Columbus McKinnon