Other dates for this site include:

Demographics

Chattanooga, the fourth largest city in the state, is located in southeast Tennessee, near the Georgia border. In the midst of the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Chattanooga has a rapidly growing population of 155,554. Chattanooga, known as a Civil War city, is the center of many scenic attractions and historical landmarks. The Cherokee Indians originally inhabited Chattanooga and white settlement began here in 1835. Originally, the city received its name from a Creek Indian word for Lookout Mountain, which dominates the city’s skyline. Incorporated in 1839, the city quickly grew into a major shipping port for salt and cotton due to its location on the Tennessee River. Today, Chattanooga has a diverse population of African Americans, Anglo Americans and Cherokee Indians. This beautiful southern city has pockets of homeless families, hungry people, growing urban poor neighborhoods and housing in need of repairs. Your group will find much work to do in Chattanooga.

About the Ministry

Our goal is to help meet the needs of the residents of this community by leading our own ministry projects, as well as by providing support and volunteers to already existing social service organizations. Participants will run Kids Club - a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Groups will also work alongside numerous social service organizations to support children ministries, the elderly and the homeless. Depending on the organization that we partner with, you may be at a specific site the entire week or partner with a couple of organizations on a rotational basis. Examples of ministries we have partnered with in the past include: Boys & Girls Club – partner with a children’s camp; Chattanooga Area Food Bank – sort donations; Life Care Center – visit with the elderly; and Union Gospel Mission – serve the homeless. Your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service. Because other churches will be joining you on your mission adventure, and because of the unique and varying needs of the ministries that we partner with, we cannot confirm until all groups arrive on site exactly what ministries your youth will be involved with. We ask that you come to serve with a willing and flexible spirit.

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: Visit Coolidge Park on the waterfront; Attend a local church service; Swim at Chester Frost Park; and Tour Rock City. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided.

Ministry Week

Partnering with local ministries and Kids Club

Mileage

There is an airport in Chattanooga; in Atlanta, GA (115 miles south); and in Nashville, TN (128 miles northwest).

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Chattanooga and the surrounding area before or after your trip, visit: www.chattanoogafun.com.