United Way of Bradley County President and CEO Matt Ryerson and Mary Graham, United Way of Tennessee president
United Way Of Bradley County unveiled its new Center For Social Impact on Friday.
The center is located on the second floor at the United Way in downtown Cleveland. The center grew out of the former Community Action Network.
The center houses a wide variety of agencies geared to support Ocoee Region families and youth. The center's office spaces include Centerstone, Family Promise, Girls On The Run, Andor, The Red Cross, On Point, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Clear Result and Impact Cleveland along with office space for the center itself.
United Way President and CEO Matt Ryerson said some of the agencies are well known and some are just starting. But all of them represent people focused on supporting people in the region. The offices are built with an open design to encourage collaboration between the agencies, Mr. Ryerson said. That collaboration has already started, he said.
"I am so excited about this evolution of the United Way system," said Mary Graham, president of United Way of Tennessee. "You all are blessed. I think you will be a model for the rest of the state."
The crowd included Cleveland City Councilman George Poe, state Senator Todd Gardenhire and County Mayor D. Gary Davis plus representatives of many community and Chattanooga area service agencies. United Way staff, members from the various agencies and United Way board of directors came for the unveiling.
The center includes 15 offices, two huddle rooms for small conferences, a large conference room and an open reception area.
The design and decor pays tribute to the building's past. Built in 1927, it was a movie theater in its earlier years. A large mural invokes memories of the old Princess Theater. The conference room walls show the outline of a staircase that led to the theater balcony. Each office space displays old bricks and beams of Tennessee steel.
Many local hands helped complete the months of work. Furniture was donated by Ron and Carolyn Jackson of Jackson Furniture. The phones in each office space were donated by Voiceopia. The contractor was Tri-Con. Ronny Rahn of Michael Brady, Inc. was the architect. The interior design was by Kimberly Graham of Life Care Centers of America.