Community House Cooperative
The mission of Community House Cooperative, Inc.:
To support the empowerment of the people of Cocke County through establishing effective projects, inclusive process, and sustainable programs that further social, economic and environmental justice utilizing local, regional & national collaboration.
In 1986, a group of citizens in Cocke County came together to take a stand for the Big Pigeon River. The Pigeon was, and had been for nearly 100 years, used as an industrial sewer for the unspeakably foul (and soon to be proven carcinogenic) waste from Champion International Paper upstream. By the year 2000, with some marked water quality improvement, but need for much more, it became apparent that the relationships formed, tested, and strengthened by the fight together for the river had become strong foundations for building community, promoting peace, demanding equity and protecting children in the county. These river advocates were ultimately instrumental in establishing six separate 501(c)(3) organizations with varied missions addressing safety, preservation, environmental, arts, economic and social justice goals.
Two of those organizations, Community House Cooperative & the Tanner Committee, are engaged in several collaborative efforts with the Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Cocke County Health Council, Newport Housing Authority Residents Council and others. Grant-funded programs come and go, but the same faces show up, with many new ones and always younger ones too, to do the work for the poor, for children, for the mountains, and always for the river.
Community House Cooperative was incorporated in 1995 by a small group of women with a vision of a future Cocke County that would support its people through establishing effective projects, inclusive process, and sustainable programs that further social, economic and environmental justice. CHC embraced asset building and local, regional & national collaboration.
The Tanner Committee was formed in 1996 by former students of the Tanner School (center for local African American education from 1927 until racial integration of schools in the '60's) and their families and supporters. They desired the preservation and restoration of their old school building, which was in serious disrepair and where both organizations are headquartered: Tanner Cultural Center.
Also located in the Tanner Cultural Center on the hill above the Pigeon are offices maintained by agencies offering services for the poor, disabled, and elderly including emergency food & energy assistance, HeadStart administration, veterans' services, senior citizens & aging services, facilitated referrals, college financial aid application counseling, etc. Activities in addition to those outlined on the reverse include quilting, chair exercise, covered dish suppers, diet club, seasonal flea markets and annual block parties.
The existing multiple networks and relationships among people, families & groups make possible numerous programs & organizations. At the core of all this is a cultural process likened to the traditional sewing circle, where individuals gather to create and reflect together. The Cocke County Collaborative embraces this way and this symbology, liberation from titles and roles and restriction. Members are those who gather to share food and information and reflection - no officers, no money, no organizational charts nor timelines. Only the circle in the quiet room, and outside always the river flowing.
- Randy Bethea, Chairman and Facilitator
- Jamie Kridler, Vice Chairperson
- Terry Hickson, Secretary
- Sandra Dawson Nuttall, Treasurer
- Terry Cogdill
- Linnie Denton
- Sheila Metcalf Evans
Staff:
- Camille Carter, Project Director
- Karen Neef, Office and Program Manager
- Bob Seay, Special Projects Director
- Seth Smith, Community Arts Coordinator
- Jake Dorsey, Tech Center Director
- Gretta Jones, Support Staff
2004- 2006 Program Goals:
* #1 To continue and to grow collaborative office operations and support for Cocke County nonprofits
* #2 To establish and develop Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) program
* #3 To continue to operate and expand Tanner Technology Center
* #4 To implement Newport Community Network planning and establish storefront headquarters
2004- 2006 Organizational Development Goals:
* #1 To complete and adopt strategic plan including fund raising and leadership development
* #2 To continue to improve, develop and institutionalize financial management systems
* #3 To implement codified policies and procedures and develop volunteer management practices
* #4 To explore with the Tanner Committee options for preservation and utilization of the Tanner Building
For any questions concerning the above subject matter please send e-mail to: info@chcinc.org