Summer Programming | Soft Animal

Soft Animal is a new Chattanooga startup dedicated to centering marginalized people through events and learning opportunities — from drag shows to American Sign Language classes. If you attended Will This Float back in the Fall of 2021 you likely heard their pitch. They are up and running with programs galore. Enter our $3,000 grant for additional programming. So what’s coming down the pike as far as events? Queer Craft Night, Pride Skate with Moonlight Roller, LGBTQ movie night + bonfire, and “Get Outside for Pride!” paddle boarding at Greenway Farms with Outshine Adventures.

Backpacks for Persons Experiencing Homelessness | East Ridge Community Food Pantry

Carolyn Tucker is the Director of the East Ridge Community Food Pantry. Their mission is to tackle food insecurity by giving away food to people in need on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month. They also serve the people of East Ridge who are within walking distance and experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is a major issue in our city. Several people experiencing homelessness have reported to Carolyn the food they receive from the pantry gets stolen. The backpacks will make it easier to carry their food and protect it from others. Our $3,000 grant will go to 100+ backpacks with hygiene products, food and other items like can openers, eating utensils etc.

Youth Programming | Chattanooga Girls Rock

Chattanooga Girls Rock! exists to empower girls, trans and nonbinary youth in our community to build confidence and celebrate their individuality through collaborative music education, social justice and performance. Their summer camp is a huge success and highly coveted. They listen to their campers and their parents, turns out they want more programming throughout the year. Enter our $3,000 grant.

More classes, workshops and hugs. Partnering with The Chattery they are able to offer classes like The Birds and The Bees and Consent and Bodily Autonomy, amongst others taught by Kelly Quinn. And a three part poetry workshop with the wise and talented Erika Roberts. While music is the usual CGR medium, this additional programming aims to help provide our youth with the platform and tools they need to tell their own stories and be heard. Word.

BHM Book Giveaway | Culture Books

If you’ve not met Erica Richardson, founder of Culture Books, you’re missing out. Not only is she passionate about putting books with culturally diverse characters into the hands of children of color, she’s also a librarian at the Avondale YFD Center who can turn any frown upside down. She’s magic, y’all.

Our $3,000 grant went to purchase books like “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water” and “The Story of Rap” that are based on Black History Month and/or written by Black Authors. Books were distributed to kids at several schools with predominantly black and brown youth like Woodmore Elementary. Kids will have books in their homes that have representation of them, their ancestry and Black History Month in general. The kids were so excited to get books that they could keep forever. This is exactly what books should do for kids, right?