Athens, August 28, 2025
News Summary
Foundation House Ministries in Chattanooga has opened a new thrift store in Athens to support mothers recovering from addiction. The store, funded by donations and a grant, aims to provide job training and a sense of purpose to women in recovery, while selling clothing, toys, and household goods. The grand opening included community leaders, highlighting the organization’s commitment to aiding mothers and breaking the cycles of addiction and homelessness. Future plans include expanding services further into McMinn County.
Chattanooga
Foundation House Ministries in Chattanooga has expanded its services with the recent opening of a new thrift store in Athens. This initiative is designed to support mothers recovering from addiction, with the goal of reconnecting them with their children and breaking the cycles of generational addiction and homelessness.
The grand opening of the thrift store, located at 225 E Washington Ave in Athens, was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Tennessee State Representative Mark Cochran and Athens City Mayor Larry Eaton. The store, along with another one located at 264 NW Broad St in Cleveland, is funded through donations and a grant from the Tennessee Strong Families Grant.
The thrift store aims to provide structure, purpose, and job training for women in the recovery program. By employing these women, Foundation House Ministries aims to enhance their self-worth, which is vital to the recovery process. The store sells a variety of items including new and gently used clothing for women and children, toys, household goods, and furniture.
Foundation House Ministries stands out as the only maternity home provider for women emerging from addiction and homelessness within a 150-mile radius of Chattanooga. The organization is dedicated to teaching life skills and offering on-the-job training for mothers, assisting them in their journey toward a stable and healthy life.
Looking ahead, Foundation House Ministries plans to expand further into McMinn County, which includes aspirations to establish a second maternity home. This expansion reflects their commitment to supporting mothers in recovery and their children.
Community Support and Engagement
Community Engagement Director Jennifer Riojas emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of self-worth among these women. This principle is embedded in the philosophy of Foundation House Ministries – a belief that personal value is fundamental to successful recovery.
For those interested in supporting Foundation House Ministries or learning more about their initiatives, the organization can be contacted at (423) 464-5351 or their website foundationhouseministries.org.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location of New Store | 225 E Washington Ave, Athens |
| First Store Location | 264 NW Broad St, Cleveland |
| Funding Sources | Donations, Tennessee Strong Families Grant |
| Employment | Offers job training for women in recovery |
| Goods Sold | Women’s and children’s clothing, toys, household goods, furniture |
| Expansion Plans | Targeting McMinn County for a second maternity home |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Foundation House Ministries?
Foundation House Ministries is a non-profit organization based in Chattanooga that provides support and services to mothers recovering from addiction and homelessness.
What services does the new thrift store offer?
The thrift store sells new and gently used women’s and children’s clothing, toys, household goods, and furniture, while also providing job training for women in recovery.
Where is the thrift store located?
The new thrift store is located at 225 E Washington Ave in Athens, Tennessee.
How does Foundation House Ministries help mothers in recovery?
The organization helps mothers by providing a maternity home, teaching life skills, and offering job training through their thrift stores.
What are future plans for Foundation House Ministries?
Foundation House Ministries aims to expand its services into McMinn County and establish a second maternity home in the area.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga Experiences Surge in New Business Licenses
Chattanooga Schools Encourage Student Volunteering in Community
Northside Neighborhood House Launches Back To School Supply Drive
Chattanooga Prepares for the 2025 Runway Remix Fashion Show
Houston Museum of Decorative Arts Hosts 51st Annual Antiques Show
Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Community Foundation Receives $5M Line of Credit
- Chattanoogan: Local Nonprofit Opens Second Thrift Store
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Housing Affordability
- Southern Thing: Mansion with Indoor Pool on Market
- Times Free Press: House Maintenance Tips
- Wikipedia: Nonprofit Organization
- Google Search: Foundation House Ministries Chattanooga
- Google Scholar: Addiction Recovery Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Addiction
- Google News: Chattanooga Nonprofit
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
