About Us
Organization Information
CHC was chartered in
1995 as a nonprofit service entity by and for disadvantaged and disenfranchised
people in Cocke County seeking to empower themselves to make positive
decisions to take control of their lives. Its initial programs included
information and arts activity provision, advocacy, counseling, conflict
resolution and referrals to existing agencies. In 1997, CHC became a
Community Development Corporation and located its offices in the former
Tanner School building which served as Newport and Cocke County 's African
American educational center from 1924 until the racial integration of
schools in the late '60's. This location on Jones Hill, Newport 's historic
diverse neighborhood, is shared with HeadStart administrative offices,
Senior Citizens & Office on Aging, the county Veterans Services
Office, Douglas Cherokee Neighborhood Center which distributes food
commodities, energy assistance and clothing to the needy and East Tennessee
State University’s Families First office. Prior to April 1998, when
funding for collaborative violence prevention efforts enabled start-up
of part-time staff positions, CHC was a completely volunteer-run organization.
In 1999, arts events, wardrobe and transportation support for women
entering the workforce, and teen after-school activities were sponsored
by CHC which went on-(ISDN)-line with three computers for the use of
staff and community groups. That summer brought a $40,000+ video production
project that trained "at risk" youth in recording interviews
with local seniors.
During the period 2000-01, with a full-time project director and some contract support, CHC addressed environmental justice issues and established a youth leadership development program while continuing economic empowerment and arts, culture and video efforts. in order to further its mission of establishing and supporting effective projects and sustainable programs designed to secure social, environmental and economic justice in Cocke County.
During 2002, with one
part-time and 2 full-time staffers, its bylaws were revised to additionally
identify these purposes: provision of decent housing that is affordable
to low- and moderate-income people, minorities and the disabled; engagement
in income and asset development strategies targeting that population;
and provision of supportive educational and counseling programs for
low-income/wealth individuals and communities. HUD "pass-through"
funds supported the development of organizational capacity to increase
the supply of and access to affordable housing in Newport and Cocke
County.
The Cocke County Collaborative was established as a result of CHC "Linkages
Initiative" involving educators, health & mental health care
providers, public officials, law enforcement, students, church members
and community groups in a community-wide multi-sector process of community-building.
A planning grant for rural community-based economic development, awarded
by the Office of Community Service of DHHS, supports establishment and
coordination of micro financial services and referrals including economic
literacy, homeowner training and counseling for low- to moderate-income
residents. Our 20-station computer lab with high-speed internet connection,
open since spring 2002 through the international "PowerUP"
program, is a key asset in operation of these programs.
In 2003, in addition to continuation of youth, arts and empowerment
activities and coordination of broad-based collaboration for community
building strategies, CHC is undertaking a 3-year process of organizational
development commencing in February with initiation of development of
a strategic plan with short-, mid-, and long-term perspectives.
CHC and Cocke County
Collaborative member groups have clearly identified the repair, restoration,
remodeling, and expansion of the Tanner Building as fundamental to all
its program strategies and to sustainability.
One of two historic Rosenwald Foundation school buildings in the county, Tanner is not only an unrivaled jewel of Newport history and the scene of fascinating chapters in the story of African American Appalachia, it is a priceless asset in the future of community-based family self-sufficiency.
In Cocke County, there are many mighty presences: USDA Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest; US Department of the Interior - Great Smoky Mountains National Park; TVA - Douglas Lake, formed by 3 great rivers, the French Broad, the Big Pigeon and the Nolichucky; TN State Dept. of Forestry - Sundquist Forest; ConAgra Corporation - the county's largest employer; US Bank and several local financial institutions; the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, each with several on-going community programs ... we want to see each and all of these major entities attentive to the potential of place-based and people-centered efforts in Cocke County.
CHC and collaborators offer exciting, meaningful and effective opportunities for designing multiple partnerships among local, regional, state, national and global entities to address generations of injustice suffered by Cocke Countians.
These engaged and committed residents have: fended off a major retailer that wanted to purchase and demolish the Tanner Building to further short-sighted marketing plans, opposed politicians, road-builders and tourism proponents by successfully resisting a highway route plan which would have ghettoized the Jones Hill neighborhood, and have become renowned and respected in the region for successfully countering KKK activity by organizing community members and supporters in celebrating diversity and promoting peace in communities. The Tanner computer lab is an extraordinary facility where technological miracles are happening every day for elderly quilters, young "thugs" and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Tanner Building Today
The hoped-for future will entail the preservation of tradition and of historic structures, the positive integration of technology and scientific design models, the development of a sound local economy that produces businesses and jobs worthy of support and dedication, and a community environment that fosters healthy life styles for healthy children and families in communities where people can live in decent, respectable homes and circumstances.
Community Need
The resilient and resourceful townsfolk of Newport and the hardy mountain people of the high reaches of Cocke County live, and somehow thrive, amidst persistent poverty and pervasive pollution. 2000 US Census figures reveal that 22.5% of families in Cocke County are living in poverty as compared with 14.1% in Tennessee and 11.8% in the nation. Unemployment of 8.8% contrasts with 5.8% in the state and 5.4% in the US as a whole. Nearly 1/3 of Cocke County children are living in poverty compared to 25.1% in Tennessee and 18.4% in the US .
During the year 2000, total capital investment in Cocke County amounted to $112 per resident, while the average for the 4 adjoining counties was $1785. Numerous contaminated sites have received "Superfund" designation from the EPA and the county's Big Pigeon River has been used as an industrial sewer for dioxin-laden paper mill waste since 1906. Cocke records indicate alarming cancer mortality, extremely low teacher pay, elevated rates of placement of children in state custody and an intransigent tradition of teen motherhood. 13% of households are headed by females while those rates in adjoining counties are 9-10%.
Percentages of housing
units without complete plumbing facilities are 3 times the state figures
and median rooms (5.0) are recorded at the lowest level of any county
in the state. Highland feuds, isolation from mainstream society and
the moonshine economy have fostered a common acceptance of violence
as a primary method of solving problems and settling scores.
Importance of Collaboration
CHC utilizes a holistic approach that fosters interdisciplinary participation in COLLABORATION for community improvement in Newport and Cocke County. Since the progress of any individual, household or group involves a great range of economic, social, political, ecological and personal factors, the work for justice in Cocke County must be both place-based and people-centered. CHC 3-pronged strategy consists of: (1) identifying, coordinating and supplementing existing local programs and community organizations that support families; (2) establishing and maintaining partnerships, affiliations and working relationships with regional & national organizations, agencies, corporations and funders in order to maximize local opportunities to secure technical, informational, and financial resources for Cocke County; and (3) developing organizational capacity to implement, continue, expand and sustain successful efforts.
