New Home Marks New Beginning For Chattanooga Father And Son
New Home Marks New Beginning For Chattanooga Father And Son
by John Lamb
This week Tommy Back and his son Titus have something very special to celebrate – the completion of their new Habitat for Humanity Home, funded and built by members of Rivermont Presbyterian church.
With a grown son, Tommy Back thought his child raising years were behind him, until a girlfriend said she was pregnant with his child. “I was a little old to have another kid, but I said I’d do the right thing,” he said. Tommy settled into the role of an excited expectant father, and was in the delivery room for the birth. Tommy was in for a shock. While both he and the mother were Caucasian, the child was bi-racial. The baby boy was clearly not his child biologically, but that didn’t matter to Tommy – he felt a connection to the baby and wanted to provide for his care, regardless of what others might think.
Caring for Titus would take Tommy on a journey worthy of a screen play. Titus’ mother became entangled in a criminal situation, was convicted and received a long prison sentence. Child Protective Services then stepped in and made Titus a ward of the state. While Tommy had grown to love Titus, and had been supporting him, he had no legal rights because he was not Titus’ biological father or a blood relative.
Tommy decided that what his family felt for Titus had nothing to do with biology. Knowing that Titus faced growing up in the foster care system, Tommy took action. First, he was married to Titus’s mother, the he legally adopted Titus, and then he divorced her. By taking these steps, the direction of Titus’ future was changed.
Raising Titus is truly a family affair – Tommy receives help from his mother, sister, son and even ex-wife, Darlene (mother of Tommy’s eldest son). “We just love this little guy,” says Darlene on a recent visit to the Habitat. “He is very smart,” says Tommy. “I am very proud of Titus and his work in school. He is a very good speller; he gets perfect scores on most of his tests.”
Tommy is a hard worker with a great attitude, according to volunteers from Rivermont Presbyterian Church: “He is always busy and willing to do anything to help, from unloading the truck of tools and supplies to cleaning up and reloading the truck at the end of the day. He is really excited about having a new home for he and Titus, making it a joy to work with him on the house.”
Taking care of Titus is one of the driving motivations of Tommy’s life. By entering the Habitat for Humanity program, Tommy is working to provide a home where they can be safe and sound. “We are both tickled to death,” says Tommy. “We are excited to one day have our own home, our own rooms and our own yard.”
“Rivermont Presbyterian Church has been a faithful supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga over the years,” says Pete Palmer, Habitat’s executive director. “Whether through weekly service on the construction site, or in financial support of home construction, they are an important part of Habitat’s work in our community.”
Tommy’s new neighbors have something to celebrate as well – many of their homes received a “brush with faith” as students from Lee University painted, planted flowers, and did minor exterior home repairs earlier this spring. “We are grateful to Front Porch Alliance and their volunteers,” says Pete Palmer, Habitat’s executive director. “Their work made a visible impact in the surrounding community. It is a great example of the impact that can be made when organizations with similar goals work together. We hope to partner with additional groups to include similar efforts alongside future house builds.”
Article by John Lamb, picture by Wesley Schultz.
2010 Community Kitchen Volunteer Group Award
The Community Kitchen recently named Rivermont its 2010 Volunteer Group of the Year. This honor was a surprise and a blessing for the service of so many dedicated Rivermonters over the years.
In its newsletter, Community Kitchen said: “Rivermont Presbyterian has some of the most dedicated volunteers in this city. From building Habitat House, to missions in Haiti, to volunteering locally at the Northside Neighborhood House and the Ronal McDonald House, members of Rivermont Presbyterian are always busy; in fact, they do more than mentioned here. But they always find time for us.
“Over the years, groups from Rivermont have been in nearly every nook and cranny of CCK. From replacing flooring, to painting walls and even building ramps in the basement, Rivermont volunteers have literally helped hold this place together. Of course, they work in the usual places, too–they probably could run the kitchen! We’re proud to name Rivermont our 2010 Group of the Year!
Interfaith Homeless Network Update
Interfaith Homeless Network Update
Many thanks to Jennifer Bell, Susan Hoffman, Marion Kiess and Jan Varnell, for providing dinner as we helped Hixson United Methodist Church with their host week, on Sunday, February 21. A special thanks to Jan McRae, and Jerry and Glenna Sloan, who were also there to help as Evening Hosts. There were 3 IHN families – 3 adults and 7 children under age 5. Thank goodness for the sunshine and outside playground area to help run off some energy! Hixson United Methodist has asked us to help them again on Sunday, May 2nd, so stay tuned for further information. What a blessing to help our neighbor church and the IHN families!
Habitat for Humanity
Rivermont will begin their next complete home build for Habitat for Humanity, Saturday, March 20, with work continuing for the next several months. This project will provide opportunities for “hands on” service from pounding nails to painting to clean up to providing lunches for those working and most importantly, in giving deserving people a hand up. The house will be located at 3813 Clio. (Clio runs parallel to Rossville Blvd.) And the owners will be Santo Taksiny and Mary Majok, recent refugees from the Sudan. A sign-up sheet and directions will be posted in the Atrium.
Rivermonters working with The Presbytery of East Tennessee
Dan Sansbury – member, Permanent Judical Committee
Diane Stocker – co-moderator, Committee on Ministry
Jack Danner – Vice Moderator, Presbytery; Vice Moderator, Coordinating Council for Vision and Mission committee; member, Equip Mission Team
Lucy Dethro – member, Corporate Board of Directors
John Guthrie – member, Corporate Board of Directors
Lina Hart - Associate Presbyter; member, Coordinating Council for Vision and Mission committee
Fred Lupton – member, Finance and Stewardship
Paul Phillips – member, Equip Mission Team; member, Coordinating Council for Vision and Mission committee
Tom Shipley – moderator, Outdoor Ministry Team and member, Coordinating Council for Vision and Mission committee
Choon Sohn – member, Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Judy Stone – member, Finance and Stewardship
Loretta Teter – moderator, Presbyterian Women; member Coordinating Council for Vision and Mission committee
Bud Little – Committee on Ministry
Missions and Outreach at Rivermont
Rivermont Presbyterian Church is “Mission Oriented” with a view to the “Great Commision” given to us by Jesus: Go forth therefore and make all nations my disciples.” (Matthew 28:19, The New English Bible). “Go forth to every part of the world, and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation.”(Mark 16:15, The New English Bible).
The Mission and Outreach effort at Rivermont begins within the local community and extends through various stateside missions to the broader sope of international missions. This effort is promoted by different groups within the church which include the Missions Committee of the Session, Presbyterian Women and the Service Committee.
Our motto comes from St. Francis of Assisi, “Go everyday to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if you must use words”.
UTC Campus Ministry
The Presbyterian Campus Ministry at UTC (PCM) is a mission of the Presbytery of East Tennessee and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The PCM seeks to be a campus ministry that provides a place on campus where everyone belongs where they can discuss and ask questions as they grow spiritually. PCM wants to be a place where students can drop in, relax and discover who God has made them to be and to know they are loved by God. Students are encouranged to connect with a local Presbyterian Church.
The PCM is open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday for students to come by and hang out. There are lots of couches and places to just relax, study or talk with friends. Presbyterian ministers are available for counseling, coffee or questions.
There are Weekly or monthly small group bible studies. Once a month students gtather with a local Presbyterian minister for lunch and theological discussion. Worship services are held each Monday night. These are casual and are geared toward both students and young professionals. During the school year there are retreats to Montreat Conference Center and John Knox Center.
PCM is looking for church volunteers to prepare and/or serve food, help with maintenance of the house, etc. For more information contact Dan Taber or visit their website http://preshouseutc.org
Northside Neighborhood House
The Northside Neighborhood House (NNH) is a social agency that promotes the independence of residents in North Chattanooga by providing a hand up through education and assistance. There are three programs: 1) Direct Assistance with utilities, food, prescriptions and referrals, 2) Education programs for children and adults, and 3) a Thrift Store.
In the Direct Assistance program, NNH verifies the clients need and arranges assistance, counseling or referral to other community programs.
The Education programs for children include after school activities, homework assistance and summer programs. Adults receive information on topics such as health, safety, and family issues. Basic Education classes are also being offered. There are special projects at Easter and Christmas for individuals and families.
In the Thrift Shop, clothing and household items are donated and are then either sold at a minimal cost or give to clients who are experiencing difficulties.
You can support NNH by donating money, clothing or household items; volunteering for the thrift store; working with one of the children’s programs or at Santa’s House during the holidays.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non denominational, Christian ministry that has built thousands of homes in order to provide decent housing for people in need. Its objective is to put faith in action by giving people a hand up, not a hand out. The local affiliate has built 295 homes.
Rivermont has been working with the Chattanooga affiliate since the early 1990′s. We have funded and built fourteen homes. We have also provided volunteer labor for dozens of other homes in the local area.
The first Saturday of each month is Habitat day for Rivermonters. A group of volunteers also works every Wednesday. Opportunities to serve include 1) working on construction (Framing, Siding, Hanging doors & windows, Interior trime, Caulking or Painting) or 2) working in the Habitat Restore (where new and gently used items are sold to the public).
If you would like to participate in Habitat or have any questions, please contact Charlie Belcher.
Service Opportunities
Are you looking for ways to help others? Here’s a list of possibilities:
Cooking at the Kitchen – The Fourth Friday of each month is the day when Rivermonters go to the Community Kitchen for a morning of food preparation, serving, and fellowship. 9-11:30ish – Call Patsy Phillips if you need a ride.
Habitat Workday – Habitat work days are usually the first Saturday of each month. Lunch provided. Call Charlie Belcher for more information. If anyone is hesitant to participate due to lack of child care, contact Myra Sanderson of the Service Committee – we’ll get it worked out.
Community Warehouse – Help is needed to receive, sort and assist in distributing goods to hurricane evacuees. Contact United Way Hurricane Relief at 265-8000 for more information.
Ronald McDonald House – Volunteers are needed in several areas. Call 778-4300 to learn more
Chattanooga Area Food Bank – A number of ongoing volunteer opportunities exist at this organization that has helped over 125,000 hungry families in the past year. Call 622-1800 to learn what you can do.
