5 Chattanooga Organizations Every Woman Should Know About Before She Needs Them
From reproductive healthcare to housing, education, domestic violence support and financial assistance, these local organizations are helping women and families navigate some of life's hardest moments.
There are a lot of things we learn as women because we have to. We learn how to make a doctor's appointment, stretch a grocery budget, advocate for our children, navigate school, work, relationships and everything else life throws at us.
This is a “life happens” resource map for women.
“I think every woman should know where to find help before she desperately needs it.”
I started looking into local organizations that serve women and families, and what I found was a little like a "life happens" resource map. Some of these organizations exist specifically to serve women. Others serve entire families or households, but provide resources that can be particularly important to women navigating pregnancy, parenting, housing instability, domestic violence, education or financial hardship.
Here are five Chattanooga-area organizations I think every woman should have on her radar:
1. A Step Ahead Chattanooga: When You Want More Control Over Your Reproductive Health
A Step Ahead Chattanooga works to remove financial and logistical barriers to birth control. And one of the things I found especially important to know is that you do not have to meet an income requirement to qualify.
If you live or attend school in its 18-county service area—which includes Hamilton County and surrounding communities—you may qualify for free birth control regardless of your income or insurance status.
The organization connects clients with partner clinics for IUDs and implants, provides birth-control pills through telehealth, and offers free condoms by mail. It also provides transportation assistance, including gas cards for clients in its service area and Uber assistance for eligible Hamilton County clients.
A Step Ahead isn't a clinic itself. Instead, it works with licensed healthcare providers to make contraception more accessible and affordable.
Who should know about it?
Anyone who wants access to birth control but has run into cost, insurance, transportation or other barriers.
How to get started:
Call 423-265-7837 for IUD or implant appointments or questions. Birth-control pills can also be requested through its telehealth program.
Learn more: A Step Ahead Chattanooga
2. The Momentum Network: When Motherhood and College Happen at the Same Time
Maybe the next chapter looks something like this: you're pregnant, you're parenting, and you're also trying to finish college.The Momentum Network was created specifically to help women in that position.
Momentum provides confidential support, community and resources for pregnant college students and women who are parenting while pursuing higher education. Its programs can include coaching, connections to resources, community support and housing.
One of its programs, Scholar Village, is designed for pregnant women and single parents who are enrolled in or admitted to an approved post-secondary program. Eligible residents must generally be at least 18, have at least a year remaining in their program, and be pregnant or have primary custody of their children. The program also provides access to onsite childcare and requires participants to engage in coaching, workshops and community activities.
But even if someone doesn't qualify for Scholar Village, Momentum's broader support for pregnant and parenting college students is worth knowing about.
Because sometimes the question isn't, "Can I go to college now that I'm a mom?"
It's "How do I stay in college while I'm a mom?"
Who should know about it?
Pregnant college students and single mothers who are enrolled in—or hoping to enroll in—college or another qualifying post-secondary program.
How to get started:
Momentum encourages women to reach out directly for confidential support and information about available programs.
Learn more: The Momentum Network
3. The City of Chattanooga's Office of Family Empowerment: When the Numbers Just Aren't Adding Up
The Office of Family Empowerment (OFE) is a City of Chattanooga office serving Hamilton County residents with low or moderate incomes. Its mission is to help individuals and ALICE families build economic stability and pathways out of poverty.
OFE currently administers programs including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Family Support Program. The City's community development information also describes OFE as providing assistance related to energy, rent, mortgage and water expenses for households experiencing financial hardship.
This is another resource I think is worth knowing before you're sitting at the kitchen table wondering which bill is going to have to wait.
You may never need the program yourself. But you may know a single mother, older neighbor, friend or family member who does.
Who should know about it?
Hamilton County individuals and families experiencing financial hardship who may qualify for assistance.
How to get started:
Contact the Office of Family Empowerment at 423-643-6434 or visit the City's assistance-program information online.
"The reality is none one of us knows exactly what the next year, or even the next month, will bring."
4. Partnership for Families, Children and Adults: When Someone Needs Help Getting Safe
This is one of those organizations I hope you never personally need. But I also hope you know about it.
Partnership for Families, Children and Adults provides Victim Support Services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, connections to shelter and legal advocacy, counseling, support groups and assistance with protective orders.
Its domestic violence and sexual assault crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
423-755-2700
And here's why I think every woman should know that number: you don't necessarily have to be the person experiencing the abuse. It could be your sister. Your friend. Your coworker. Your daughter. Your neighbor. Sometimes the most important thing you can do for someone is simply know where to point them when they finally decide they're ready to ask for help.
Who should know about it?
Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault—and anyone who may find themselves supporting someone who is experiencing it.
How to get started:
Call or text the 24/7 crisis hotline at 423-755-2700.
5. Chattanooga Room in the Inn: When Housing Becomes the Crisis
Chattanooga Room in the Inn specifically serves women and children experiencing homelessness. Its Shelter to Stability program provides transitional housing and support designed to help families move toward permanent, safe housing.
The organization provides case management, counseling, transportation assistance, meals and supplies, help finding permanent housing, childcare and play-therapy resources, educational advocacy and tutoring for children, life-skills support and connections to community resources.
The services are provided at no charge to residents who are accepted into the program.
Admission begins with a referral and assessment process, rather than simply showing up at the facility. Women who are interested in the program can complete the organization's referral form, after which eligible applicants are contacted for a phone assessment.
This is another organization that I think is worth knowing about before someone you love is standing in front of a very difficult situation.
Who should know about it?
Women with children who are experiencing homelessness and need transitional housing and comprehensive support toward permanent stability.
How to get started:
Call 423-624-6144 or visit the organization's admissions information online.
Learn more: Chattanooga Room in the Inn
You may never need any of these organizations. I hope you don't. But you might know someone who does. That's why I think knowing what resources exist in our own community is part of taking care of ourselves, our families and each other.
You don't have to be in crisis today to know where help is tomorrow.
- Amanda Sovago-Royal, Civic Junkie/Writer
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