Our 2025 Annual Report is here!
This fiscal year we:
- Sheltered 119 women and children
- Launched our Thrift Store to fund programs and provide free furnishings for graduates
- Enrolled 27 families in our Aftercare Program for a full year of continued support
- Celebrated powerful success stories of moms and children moving into stable homes.
Every number tells a story of resilience, hope, and second chances. None of it would be possible without YOU.
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Location:
3807 Ringgold Road
East Ridge, TN 37412
423-269-7672
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A Grand Opening Filled with Love and Purpose
Great Deals. Greater Purpose.
When we opened the Chattanooga Room in the Inn Thrift Store doors on September 9th for the very first time, more than a dozen people were waiting. By the end of the day, nearly 120 shoppers had visited our new thrift store. What an incredible outpouring of love and support from our community!
This store isn’t just about finding great deals. Every purchase directly supports women and children experiencing homelessness right here in Chattanooga. When you shop with us, you’re helping provide safe shelter, warm meals, life skills classes, and the resources families need to rebuild their lives.
Our mission has always been about creating a community of hope, and our Grand Opening proved that Chattanooga believes in that mission. Thank you for showing up, for shopping with purpose, and for reminding us that when a community comes together, real change happens. Here’s to many more days of Great Deals. Greater Purpose.
Want to shop, donate, or volunteer?
Donations can be dropped off in the back of our space on Old Ringgold Road. Every item you give supports women and children at Chattanooga Room in the Inn.
Volunteers are welcome as well! Volunteer on YOUR schedule; weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or sporadic!
Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter!
| thriftstore@chattanoogaroomintheinn.com | | |
A Birthday That Means More
September 5th, one of our kiddos stepped into the teenage years and turned 13.
Becoming a teenager should be about new freedoms, new dreams, and new adventures. But for a child experiencing homelessness, it can also mean uncertainty and worry about things no teen should have to face.
At Chattanooga Room in the Inn, we are here to surround them with stability, safety, and support so they can focus on being a kid again. Every birthday is a reminder of why our work matters, every child deserves to grow up with hope for the future.
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“I got ‘em, Ms. Gina!”
That’s what one of our residents said to her case manager, Gina Moss, when she received the keys to her very own townhome. On the very same day, the movers arrived so she and her five children (with one on the way) didn’t have to wait even a moment to step into their new beginning.
Her determination and steadfast commitment to building a safe future for her family carried her through our program. Now, her children have beds of their own thanks to our amazing partners at Sleep in Heavenly Peace, who also provided cozy bedding for each child.
Her journey does not stop here. She will be enrolled in our Aftercare Program where our Aftercare Coach will check in with her every month for the next year to help ensure every area of life stays in balance for her and her children.
This is what hope in action looks like. A mother’s perseverance. A community’s support. A family’s fresh start.
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Graduation Day: Tech Skills Unlock New Opportunities
Celebration time! One of our residents has completed our 15-hour Tech Goes Home course in September and has graduated!
This program was created in partnership with Tech Goes Home and teaches essential digital skills, from using a computer and navigating the internet to applying for jobs and accessing community resources online. For our residents, these skills aren’t just convenient, they’re life-changing.
Access to technology and digital literacy helps women apply for jobs, continue education, manage finances, and stay connected with support systems. It’s a key part of breaking cycles of poverty and empowering our residents to succeed independently.
We’re so proud of this achievement and the confidence it gives her to take the next steps toward stability and self-sufficiency.
| | Meet Our New Thrift Store Staff | | |
We’re so excited to welcome Katarina to our thrift store team! She has an incredible eye for design on our shelves and displays, helping create a warm and welcoming space for shoppers.
Katarina comes to us with experience in customer service, sales, and nonprofit management, and she also has a creative background in sewing, painting, and design. Beyond her skills, what shines most is her heart for our mission and her eagerness to serve women and children in our community.
When you stop by Chattanooga Room in the Inn Thrift Store, be sure to say hi and admire some of her thoughtful work throughout the store!
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We are so excited to welcome GraceAnn to our thrift store team! She is our new part-time employee and we are so happy to have her fun, energetic vibe in the store.
GraceAnn comes to us from Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a recent college grad now pursuing her masters degree. She has lots of experience with nonprofit organizations primarily dealing with food insecurity. When she's not hanging out with us at the thrift store or working at the Y, you can find her hiking, biking, camping, thrifting, or strolling through local farmers markets.
When you stop by Chattanooga Room in the Inn Thrift Store, be sure to say hi and welcome her to the CRITI community!
| | Tech and Literacy: Tools for a Brighter Future | | |
Thanks to a generous grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, we now have 4 Chromebooks available for our kids.
These Chromebooks will be used for tutoring, schoolwork, and educational games, giving children the technology they need to keep up with school. Access to technology opens doors to new opportunities for the whole family and is an essential part of supporting literacy and growth.
The grant will also fund program supplies for worksheets and books that children can take to their new home to continue their love of reading, and reading skill software, all designed to help our youth succeed both at the shelter and beyond.
A big thank you to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for helping us provide families with the tools they need to thrive.
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Professional Clothes, Empowered Confidence
One of our clients got a new job in September and shared she would be starting in an admin role but didn’t have the right clothes to wear.
The first place that came to mind was Carol’s Boutique inside the Chattanooga Hamilton County Family Justice Center. A quick email to our partners there and we had the green light to visit the next morning.
Thanks to Carol’s Boutique, our client was able to get professional clothing at no cost and walked into her first day fully prepared for success.
Partnership with other local nonprofits is at the heart of what CRITI does, because we know lasting impact requires our whole community working together. Small acts of support like this, combined with the strength of those collaborations, make a big difference in helping women step into new opportunities with confidence.
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Connections like this make our mission stronger!
We’re so grateful for the amazing people in Chattanooga and Cleveland who share our mission and help make a difference every day.
| | Partnerships That Empower Women and Children | |
Our Aftercare Coach, Mayra Pineda, recently connected with Ms. Gloria Freeman from American Job Center. Ms. Freeman, who has also volunteered at CRITI, shares our passion for supporting women and children experiencing homelessness.
Partnerships like these help us provide more resources, opportunities, and support for our residents because stronger communities mean stronger futures for the women we serve.
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Exciting News for Our Residents and Aftercare Participants!
Starting this month, we are launching the Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World program to help our residents and program graduates take real steps toward building a brighter future.
This program is designed to help participants understand the challenges of living in poverty, identify the resources they need, and create a personal plan to achieve stability and success. Through guided lessons, reflection exercises, and goal-setting activities, participants will explore their strengths, learn new skills, and gain the tools to move from “just getting by” to getting ahead.
Each participant will receive their own book, sketchpad, and notebook to guide them through the program. We are committed to making this journey accessible and supportive. We will provide child care, transportation, and dinner each week.
We're partnering with Chattanooga Purpose Center to bring this program to CRITI. The program will run for 17 sessions on Monday nights during our required Life Skills classes and is open to current residents and graduates in our aftercare program.
This is more than just a program. It is a chance to build confidence, set goals, and create a plan for a stronger future. When participants complete the program, they will receive a Visa gift card as a celebration of their hard work and dedication.
All participants are welcome in a supportive, judgment-free environment where growth and learning are encouraged. We cannot wait to witness the transformations and stories of resilience that will come from this journey.
| | Meet Our New Child Advocate Interns | | |
We’re excited to welcome Jordan and Lois to CRITI!
“Hi, I’m Jordan. I chose to intern at CRITI because I’m passionate about helping others and making a positive impact. I love meeting new people, and helping others has always brought me joy and purpose. As my dad told me growing up, ‘Go make someone smile today!’ So I encourage everyone to go do that!”
| | “I’m a senior social work major. I chose CRITI for my internship because it offers hands-on experience serving diverse clients while strengthening my skills in social work practice. CRITI’s mission aligns with my passion for helping others and supporting the unhoused community. I’m excited to contribute and learn during my time here.” | | We’re so grateful to have these bright and compassionate women joining our mission to support women and children experiencing homelessness. | |
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Become a Child Advocate Volunteer
Kids Need You! Become a Child Advocate Volunteer at CRITI:
- Play, read, and spend time with children in the shelter
- Encourage moms working toward stability
- Create joy and hope in just a few hours a week
Your time can change a child’s tomorrow.
| | | | Building Trust, Creating Hope | | |
Building trust takes time, patience, and care and the results are beautiful.
Our Aftercare Program Coach, Mayra, recently made her third visit to one of our program graduates. For the first time, the client felt safe enough to share her and her children’s needs, including winter coats. Seeing her children cozy and cared for reminds us why this work matters.
We are grateful:
- To Mayra, for listening, showing up, and building trust with every graduate
- To our clients, for allowing us to walk alongside you and support your journey
- To everyone who makes our Aftercare Program possible, giving women and children the stability and tools they need to thrive
You can make a difference too. Donate online or shop at our thrift store to provide the support families in our program need.
Together, care, trust, and support create hope, safety, and lasting stability.
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We were honored to be invited to the Tennessee Credit Union Board Meeting to share about Chattanooga Room in the Inn and our growing partnership with Trust Federal Credit Union. Opportunities like this are vital to our mission because they allow us to:
- Share the impact of our work with women and children experiencing homelessness
- Build meaningful partnerships that open doors to new resources and support
- Educate leaders about the challenges families face and the hope that stability brings
Thank you to the Tennessee Credit Union Board and Trust for giving us a platform to highlight the important work happening at CRITI. When community leaders come together, it helps us strengthen our programs and bring lasting change to families who need it most.
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A Season of Change
In our recent thank you letters, we shared the story of a young man who came to CRITI with his mom last year. At the time, he was struggling in school and falling behind in his classes. With tutoring, encouragement, and support, his grades improved and he was finally able to join the baseball team. With a little extra help from a local eye center, he got the glasses he needed to play.
We are thrilled to share the next chapter of his journey. He has now joined the football team at his school. When his coach spoke with our Child Advocate, it was clear how moved he was by the transformation he has seen in this young man since his stay with us.
This is more than just sports. It is the story of stability, growth, and confidence, made possible because of a safe home and a community of people who believe in him.
Thank you for being part of his story and so many others. Together, we are helping kids discover their strength and step into brighter futures.
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Great News for Donors Starting in 2026!
You’ll soon have more flexibility when it comes to getting a tax benefit from your charitable giving, even if you do not itemize your deductions. Here’s what’s changing:
- If you take the standard deduction, you will be able to deduct up to $1,000 (single filer) or $2,000 (married filing jointly) for cash donations to qualifying charities.
- If you itemize, new limits are coming. Deductions must exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) before they count.
The value of deductions for high income itemizers will also be capped relative to their top tax rate.
Why this matters to you and the organizations you support:
- More people will benefit from a tax deduction, even if they do not itemize.
- Smaller cash donations will be easier to deduct.
- Timing may play a role in how donors choose to give.
Your support does more than qualify for deductions. It sustains the work we do every day. Thank you for making a difference.
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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.
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Thank you to our current donor society members!
- Karen Scott
- Deborah Hulse
- Jordan Farmer
- Julie and Chris Edmondson
- Julie Russell and Bill Crunk
- Justin and Hannah Phillips
- Jacob Hennings
- Pamala and Robert Thompson
- Roeland Bencosme
- Jack McKee Family
- Anonymous (x21)
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