UPS Community Internship Program (CIP) Thankful Memorial Church Fact Sheet
| BEGAN CIP PARTICIPATION: |
1977 |
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| CHATTANOOGA CIP SITE COORDINATOR |
Edward E. Cahill, Ph.D.
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DESCRIPTION:
In 2002, the Chattanooga CIP sessions relocated to Thankful Memorial Church after more than two decades at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC), where Dr. Ed Cahill holds the position of Professor Emeritus.
At its inception, the focus of the Chattanooga CIP session was to provide the UPS interns first-hand exposure to the history of inequality and prejudice in the southeastern United States. UTC leaders were engaged in programs that aimed to improve relations with various impoverished, minority and physically challenged groups in the community. These programs consisted of activities such as classroom discussions and readings, including lectures from speakers with specialties in civil rights, law enforcement and social justice, as well as volunteer activities with non-profit organizations.
Today, the goals of the Chattanooga CIP session remain the same - educating people about the challenges faced by minorities and the poor; improving human relationships among all groups; providing relief to the hungry and homeless, and aiding in child education and adult literacy.
TYPICAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
While in Chattanooga, CIP interns work with non-profit agencies to repair and build homes, assist in care for children with disabilities and prepare food for the homeless. Field trips also are a critical part of the interns’ experience. During the session, interns visit Grundy County, a poor, rural area of Tennessee. While there, the interns interact with the residents and discuss social issues that impact local families. In addition, the interns spend a day at the historic Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama.
LOCAL PARTERNING AGENCIES INCLUDE:
- Head Start is a government-sponsored program that helps prepare underprivileged children for preschool and kindergarten.
- Signal Center is an agency that assists physically disabled individuals.
- Orange Grove provides social and medical services to more than 650 children and adults.
- Chattanooga Community Kitchen offers medical and substance abuse services, meals and a host of other services to families in need.
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