"It's Not Just a Place to Live"
One of our residents shared how life changing this season has been. Through stable housing and counseling, she found something she had been missing for a long time: stability, clarity, and healing.
“I never knew how much I needed the counseling. Boy did I need it. I have never felt more stable in my life.”
This is why we do what we do. Support changes everything.
| | | Our Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World class has graduated! | | |
We celebrated residents who completed the Getting Ahead program, a powerful milestone on their journey toward long-term stability.
Over several weeks, participants strengthened essential life skills, set meaningful goals, and built practical tools to take charge of their family life, career pathways, finances, health, and housing. Through honest reflection and courageous conversation, they identified barriers, discovered new possibilities, and developed personalized plans for the future.
Getting Ahead is more than a class, it’s a launchpad. Graduation marked a moment to honor growth, resilience, and the many “aha!” breakthroughs along the way. The room was filled with proud smiles, happy tears, and enthusiastic cheers as we celebrated their commitment and hard work.
After the ceremony, the celebration continued with sparkling cider and a self-care evening featuring nail polish, hair styling, makeup, and well-deserved fun. It was a joyful reminder that progress is worth celebrating.
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Shop for a Cause: Chattanooga Boutique Warehouse Sale Supports CRITI
Get ready to kick off the season while making a difference! CRITI volunteers will be onsite to collect entrance fees at the Chattanooga Boutique Warehouse Sale Pop-Up Shopping Event, and all proceeds from opening night will be donated to support our mission.
This is a fun way to shop local, discover unique items from area vendors, and help women and children working toward stability, housing, and a fresh start. Every entrance fee makes a meaningful impact.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, March 5th – Opening Night
Facebook Event: Link
Tickets: Link
Come shop, support our community, and make a difference with us!
| | Chattanooga Room in the Inn Is BBB Accredited | | |
Chattanooga Room in the Inn is a BBB Accredited Charity, meeting the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s standards for accountability, transparency, and ethical fundraising.
This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to stewarding donations responsibly and keeping our mission at the center of everything we do. We are honored by the trust our community places in us and deeply grateful for the support that makes this work possible.
Learn more and see our accreditation at: Link
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Celebrating Our Honor Roll Students
We couldn’t be prouder of two of our resident children who recently earned Honor Roll at school. Their pride in themselves was shining, and we were thrilled to celebrate their accomplishment with them.
What made this moment even more special was what they did next. They brought their certificates and ribbons, framed, and gifted them to our Child Advocate, Jessica Brackett. This thoughtful gesture reflected their appreciation for someone who showed up for them, helping with homework, listening on hard days, cheering their small wins, and reminding them that they are capable.
Homelessness can deeply affect a child’s learning. Uncertainty about where they will sleep, disrupted routines, and constant stress can make focus and confidence harder to maintain. At CRITI, we work to create stability through safe housing, consistent support, and advocacy both in the classroom and at home.
These students are working hard and thriving, and they wanted to honor the person who has walked alongside them. This is what support looks like. We are so proud of our students and deeply grateful for Jessica, who pours her heart into every child she serves.
| | | | | Meet Our New Tutoring Intern: Tiffany Wise | | |
We are thrilled to welcome CRITI Intern, Tiffany Wise to Chattanooga Room in the Inn! Tiffany will lead our tutoring program, helping children build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and succeed in school.
A Chattanooga native and proud mom of two teens, Tiffany has spent eight years as an early childhood educator and is completing her Bachelor’s in Human Services at East Tennessee State University Online. She has a passion for supporting families and connecting them with the resources they need to thrive.
Tiffany brings experience, heart, and dedication to every child she serves. Please join us in welcoming her to the CRITI family!
Learn about our intern program: Link
| | | CRITI Staff Learn from Financial Expert | | |
Our team recently had the opportunity to learn from Mike Deering, Chief Investment Officer at HUTTON and a dedicated CRITI volunteer.
Mike led a practical personal finance and investing class designed to build confidence and strong financial foundations. With decades of experience and a heart for our mission, he provided invaluable guidance and insights for our staff.
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At CRITI, we aim to set each team member up for success not only at work, but in life. By equipping our staff with the tools to manage their own finances and speak confidently with the women we serve, we strengthen both our team and our residents.
We are so grateful for community partners like Mike who invest in our staff the same way we invest in our residents.
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Celebrating Airiyanna Whisnant as Our New Case Manager
Please join us in celebrating Airiyanna Whisnant as she steps into her new role as Case Manager at Chattanooga Room in the Inn.
Airiyanna first joined us in August as an intern while studying at UTC. From day one, she brought compassion, dedication, and a deep personal connection to our mission. Over the past several months, she has walked alongside our residents with care and consistency, making a meaningful impact in their lives.
We are thrilled to officially welcome Airiyanna to the CRITI team in this new capacity and look forward to the continued heart and expertise she brings to our work.
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Please join us in welcoming Barbara Johnson as our new Aftercare Coach at Chattanooga Room in the Inn | | |
Barbara brings more than 30 years of experience in social services, including work in supportive housing. Throughout her career, her path has consistently aligned with serving individuals and families who need stable housing and a fresh start.
Barbara says her love language is giving to others. She finds deep fulfillment in walking alongside families as they secure housing, reunite with their children, or land a dream job. She is quick to remind us that her role is just one piece of a much bigger picture of success, but it is a piece she holds with great care.
She shared that it takes tenacity to pull out the positive in situations where someone is experiencing homelessness. Barbara is committed to helping shine a light on those positives and encouraging each person to keep moving forward.
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This little guy showed up in a big way
Just in time for the freezing weather a couple weeks ago, Owen delivered mitten donations from his Pre-K class to help keep our residents warm. What a beautiful reminder that generosity has no age limit.
Because of thoughtful hearts like his and the kindness of his school community, women and children at Chattanooga Room in the Inn will have a little extra warmth during these cold days.
It takes a village, and we are so grateful for every mitten, every donation, and every act of love.
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Our Lead Case Manager Gina Moss attended Day on the Hill in Nashville on behalf of Chattanooga Room in the Inn. Hosted by Housing for All Tennessee, the event focused on ending homelessness, strengthening renter protections, and ensuring sustainable, affordable housing for Tennesseans, especially those with the lowest incomes and greatest barriers to stability.
Key discussions included advocating for stronger habitability standards, such as access to air conditioning as a health and safety necessity, and addressing tenant screening practices that often lack transparency. High application fees and broad background check policies can create major barriers for individuals working to rebuild their lives.
Several housing-related bills in the Tennessee House were highlighted, including those focused on eviction reform, renter protections, and addressing the statewide housing shortage. Gina shared firsthand insight with representatives from our region on how these policies affect the families we serve.
We are proud of Gina for representing our mission and ensuring the voices of women and children in our community are part of these important conversations.
| | | Year-Round Impact Made Possible By Our Annual Sponsors | | © 2026 Unum Group. All rights reserved. Unum is a registered trademark and marketing brand of Unum Group and its insuring subsidiaries. | | |
Our new Annual Sponsorship program gives businesses the chance to gain year-round marketing visibility while supporting women and children experiencing homelessness.
Sponsors will be 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.
| | | | Chattanooga Supply Chain Association | |
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.
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Thank you to our current donor society members!
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The Anderson Family
- Lisa Carroll
- Susan Davenport
- Julie and Chris Edmondson
- Jordan Farmer
- Rachel Geddes
- Roeland Haynes-Bencosme
- Jacob Hennings
- Taylor Hixson and Brian McDonald
- Deborah Hulse
- Jack McKee Family
- Ashley Keith-Lynch
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- Diane Meadows
- Justin and Hannah Phillips
- James Roides
- Erin Rountree
- Karen Scott
- Malissa Talbert
- Pamala and Robert Thompson
- Delores Weaver
- Anonymous (x78)
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