Hope for the Inner City

03/31/2026

We’re excited to support meaningful work happening right here in Chattanooga.

The Bethlehem Center, in partnership with Hope for the Inner City and the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, has been awarded $68,783 to advance Neighbor to Neighbor: A Ministry of Health and Hope.

This collaborative effort is focused on addressing food insecurity, chronic disease, and barriers to care in under-resourced communities—bringing practical support, improved access, and real hope to neighbors who need it most.

Memorial Hospital has awarded nearly $220,000 in philanthropic grants to local nonprofit organizations. "The grants, part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program, are specifically designed to address pressing health disparities and significantly enhance the health and....

02/07/2026

🌶️ Today! Chili Cookoff | Saturday, Feb 7 | 2–4 PM 🌶️

Today’s the day. Join us for the Be the Change Youth Initiative Chili Cookoff, proudly hosted by Hope for the Inner City.

We’re gathering in fellowship to support youth leadership and stand alongside young people who are learning to serve and care for their community.

✔ Community & fellowship
✔ Youth leadership
✔ Encouraging the next generation
✔ Chili (because joy is still allowed)

👋 Mayor Tim Kelly will be joining us

Come hungry, come encouraged, and spend the afternoon with a community choosing to show up for one another.

02/05/2026

🌶️ This Saturday! Chili Cookoff | Feb 7 | 2–4 PM 🌶️

We’re just a few days out from the Be the Change Youth Initiative Chili Cookoff, proudly hosted by Hope for the Inner City.

Enter a team, cheer on the cooks, enjoy music, and support youth-led efforts to fight food insecurity.

👥 $20 team entry
📧 To enter or sponsor: contact Deidre at [email protected]

02/02/2026

🌶️ Chili Cookoff | Saturday, Feb 7 | 2–4 PM 🌶️

Hope for the Inner City is proud to host the Be the Change Youth Initiative Chili Cookoff.

Think you can bring the heat? Enter a team, enjoy music, vote for your favorites, and compete for prizes up to $150.

👋 Mayor Tim Kelly will be joining us in support of this youth-led community event.

💛 Proceeds support youth food insecurity projects, Hamilton County school lunch debt, and the HFIC Community Garden.

👥 $20 team entry
📧 To enter or sponsor: contact Deidre at [email protected]

Come hungry. Leave happy. Do some good.

12/01/2025

🎄 Hope for the Inner City is kicking off Ms. Charlise’s Christmas Store! 🎁

Every year, our community shows up in the most generous ways, and this season we’re inviting you to help make Christmas brighter for children and teens in East Chattanooga.

We’re collecting new, unwrapped gifts that will go directly to families who could use a little extra support this holiday season. Your kindness brings joy, dignity, and a whole lot of smiles.

What’s Needed:
• Toys
• Books
• Clothing
• Age-appropriate gifts for kids and teens

Want to make giving even easier? Click here to be taken to our Amazon Store. https://tinyurl.com/2j74b2sk

Let’s come together and make this Christmas unforgettable for our neighbors. 💛

10/29/2025

We need you! 🙌
Hope for the Inner City is hosting an Open House on Thursday, November 6, and we’re looking for volunteers to help the day run smoothly.

🕑 Shifts: 2:30–5:00 PM or 5:00–7:30 PM

📍 Location: 1800 Roanoke Ave
💪 Roles: Greeters, Registration Table, Donation Table, and Parking Lot Attendants
🥤 Refreshments provided

Come be part of the day as we celebrate our mission of Changing Lives, Transforming Communities.

👉 Sign up now at www.wearehfic.org/getinvolved

📩 Questions? Email [email protected]

Hope for the Inner City empowers East Chattanooga residents through Christ-centered programs that reduce poverty, foster economic stability, and build stronger communities. Join us in transforming lives through workforce training, food security, youth mentorship, and health initiatives.

10/01/2025

Come see what’s new at Hope for the Inner City! 🎉

Join us for our Open House on Thursday, November 6, from 3–7 PM at 1800 Roanoke Ave.

💪 Our gym is newly renovated
🦷 Our dental clinic has been refreshed

✅ Guided tours of our spaces
✅ Meet the team
✅ Enjoy light refreshments
✅ Learn how you can be part of the work

📩 [email protected]
| 📞 423-698-3178

Changing Lives, Transforming Communities.

09/13/2025

We’re honored and excited to be named a 2025–2026 Catalyst Fund partner by United Way of Greater Chattanooga! 🙌

Thank you for believing in the mission of Hope for the Inner City and investing in bold, community-driven solutions for East Chattanooga. This opportunity will help us deepen our impact and continue walking alongside our neighbors with hope, faith, and love.

Let’s keep building stronger communities—together. 💙

We’re excited to introduce the 21 incredible nonprofit organizations selected as our newest Catalyst Fund partners! Together, they’re receiving a total of $686,000 to launch bold, community-driven ideas that make a real difference for local ALICE families.

The Catalyst Fund helps to round out our Community Investment strategy: while the Bridge Fund meets urgent needs and the Impact Cohort builds long-term collaboration, the Catalyst Fund is all about sparking fresh ideas and putting them into motion right now.

Stay tuned to learn more about the exciting work these nonprofits are doing in Chattanooga!

Bethel Bible Village, BetterFi, Chattanooga Autism Center, Chattanooga Room in the Inn - CRITI, Children's Advocacy Center (Chattanooga), Communities In Schools of Catoosa County, Dynamo Studios, East Lake Expression Engine, Hope for the Inner City, KELCURT Foundation, LIFT Youth Center, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, Purpose Point Learning Academy, Rabbit Valley Farmers Market, RISE Chattanooga, Splash Youth Arts Workshop, Tennessee Nonprofit Network, AIM Center, Inc., Two Bikes Chattanooga

05/16/2025

We’re just months into the year, and the momentum is real—thousands of meals shared, hundreds of volunteer hours logged, and our gym and garden projects well underway. 👏

Every number on this page tells a story of faith and community. We’re not done yet but we’re moving, and it’s because of people like you.

💛 Keep the progress going: https://www.wearehfic.org/givehope

05/06/2025

🗣️ We Want to Hear from YOU, East Chattanooga!
Join us for a Community Listening Session co-hosted by Hope for the Inner City and Chattamatters on:

📅 Tuesday, May 13, 2025
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Hope for the Inner City (1800 Roanoke Ave)

Come share your thoughts about local news, what you appreciate, what’s missing, and how it could better serve you. These relaxed conversations are all about hearing your voice and building a stronger, more informed community.

✅ Free dinner provided
✅ $40 stipend for your participation
✅ Fellowship with other engaged neighbors

To register email Ian-Alijah Bey at [email protected].

Together, we can shape the future of local media.

04/15/2025

🌟 Discover how our Programs That Transform Lives can make a difference in our community! At Hope for the Inner City we are committed to fostering economic stability in East Chattanooga. Together, let's create lasting change! 💪 Visit us at https://wearehfic.org for more info.