Two major programs and partnerships in the Chattanooga Region were each awarded a "JumpStart the Conversation" grant in September 2009. The winning projects exemplify the use of innovative ideas focused on creating livable communities for all ages and the theme of Building Partnerships. Click here to view the grants below.
As part of the national movement to promote the “Aging in Place” Initiative, which is aimed at helping older Americans remain in their communities, the Chattanooga Metro Area has been selected to host one in a series of national workshops to consider creating livable communities for all ages. These workshops are being sponsored by MetLife Foundation, Partners for Livable Communities (Partners), and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).
The Chattanooga workshop, titled Building Partnerships: Creating a Livable Community for All Ages (Choose Chattanooga: Come Live with Us), was held on 30, 2009. The event was be co-hosted by the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, Choose Chattanooga, the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Morning Pointe, the Greater Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and the Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce.
Steve Witt, Director of the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, stated that “Community leaders have already seen enormous goals met that contribute to Chattanooga being a place that appeals to people of all ages. It is exciting to be part of an initiative that can help us continue to move forward.”
Chattanooga Jumpstart Grants
- Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga and Active Living and Transportation Network
To explore new partnerships within the senior community and be able to expand programming to better reach the older adult demographic and promote active transportation through bicycling. Two workshops will be held for active seniors and related agencies to develop opportunities to promote the safe use of bicycling for transportation and recreation, especially in the urban core area.
- Get Online Event: A community-wide, multi-generational interactive opportunity
The following organizations will be working together for the first time ever through a brand new partnership formed to improve community-wide communication and civic involvement by teaching basic, practical computer skills at the “Get OnLine” Event. This “learning event” will be a community-wide, multi-generational interactive opportunity. Continued partner efforts will help members adapt to what older adult learners want and need to know to thrive in a livable community, as well as how to engage additional partners to further collaborative efforts.
- "Choose Chattanooga" and The Chattanooga Health and Performance Institute
To coordinate marketing, promotion and continued collaboration among partners for the “Get OnLine” event which will improve communication between service providers and the citizens they serve, with a special emphasis on the older adult citizens.
- Friends of the Library
To host several computer technology training events at area branches using existing computers with internet access and to educate technically illiterate and disenfranchised older adult members of the community.
- Senior Neighbors
To host several computer technology training events at area senior centers using existing computers with internet access. Senior Neighbors is the area’s largest outreach organization reaching senior citizens in often underserved locations across Hamilton County. Recently added new computers and internet access, but instruction resources are limited and services are underutilized. Through partnership support — Senior Neighbors’ will reach a larger portion of the older demographic.
- Alton Park Development Corporation
To host older adult computer classes at Alton Park area community centers, one of Chattanooga’s most economically distressed and impoverished areas.
- Southeast Development Foundation
To coordinate and establish a mature workers job club and provide technology and computer training to members of that community as more people in this age group struggle to gain the latest job skills to find second careers in their later years.
- City of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture
To provide computer training to senior citizens through workshops, instruction and access to computers and internet at the Senior Activity Center, located at Eastgate Town Center. Due to underfunding there is currently a waiting list of more than 300 Senior Citizens waiting to learn basic computer skills. They are currently not being served at all because there are no instructors to meet the demand. Grant monies will fund instruction otherwise unavailable.
- City of Chattanooga Department of Parks and Recreation
To provide computer training to disenfranchised citizens through workshops, instruction and access to computers and internet at the Brainerd Recreation Center. Computers and internet access was recently installed at the rec centers—however these new services are not utilized because of a lack of education and available training. This event will allow them to reach the older adult population served by this rec-center.
- Chattanooga State Technical Community College
To host classes at its campus and provide school trained instructors and educational materials. Classes will be available to older adult members of the public who would otherwise be unable to afford such instruction.
- Association of Visual Arts
To serve as a centrally located learning facility and resource center for digital content development and creative self expression and to offer technology and photography training classes at the Chattanooga media center to older adults who would be otherwise unable to afford such instruction. AVA will target lifelong learners who seek customized training instruction for their careers or personal development.
