Something Special

This week R.O.C. members were asked to answer the question, “What Makes The R.O.C. Special?”

“I think what makes what the ROC is doing really special is its lack of hierarchical structure. Nobody owns the R.O.C.; nobody is in charge. This fact created the strong culture of collaboration that permeates everything we do. Every person and agency that participates is simply interested in doing the work. Some agencies contribute material goods, some contribute services, and others contribute labor. Volunteers show up to help. We each have something to offer, and we have figured out how to work together to expand our impact. The people we serve don't really care that I work for a different place than my fellow outreach worker. They care that we show up.”

-Kacy West- Outreach Worker For The CHATT Foundation

"The ROC is special to me because not only do I have awesome colleagues, but they have also become dear friends of mine. We all come from different walks of life and have been called to be part of a sacred work that is greater than ourselves. The R.O.C. unites us by fighting our common enemy: homelessness. I am proud to be a part of the R.O.C. because what we do on a daily basis matters and provides concrete evidence that we are changing our community for the better."

-Debbie Masela- PATH Program Coordinator For VBHCS

“The R.O.C. is special in many ways, but a couple that stand out are, first and foremost, the way in which we live into the idea of being a cooperative. Across services there can sometimes be a hesitation to "play well" with others and share valuable and sometimes scarce resources. But, from the very beginning, everyone who was invested in and wanted to join the ROC did so knowing that egos had to be left at the door and that this was going to be a team effort, where we lifted each other up when needs had to be met and also celebrated each other's victories. What makes this mentality so important and so unique leads me to the other reason why the R.O.C. is so special. Leaving our egos at the door allows us to always put the clients and their needs first. Doesn't matter whose agency can provide what is needed; as long as the people experiencing homelessness get what they need in that moment for their comfort or survival, then we consider it a win across the board.”

-Elise Anderson-Brock- Pastor Of Trinity Lutheran Church

“The R.O.C. is special because it brings passionate people and holistic community care together. R.O.C. members are not part of the R.O.C. solely for a paycheck; each person is there because they truly care about the most marginalized in our community. By uniting people with true passion, the ROC can tangibly change the lives of those we serve on a day-to-day basis.

“Holistic community care is a buzzword thrown around a lot nowadays, but no one in this city can do true holistic community care without partnering with multiple agencies in town that specialize in different areas of community care. This is what makes the ROC special; this is what makes the ROC truly holistic and all-encompassing. The R.O.C. combines agencies and organizations and resources together to provide all facets of care to those we serve.

Need housing? We have that covered. Need free healthcare? We have that covered. Need access to camping supplies? Need access to food resources? Need in-field case workers? Need transportation to services and essential document gathering? Need nurses and doctors to visit people in the field? Need Narcan to prevent overdose deaths? Need to get into rehab within 24-48 hours and don't have insurance? We have all that covered at the R.O.C., and so much more!

This is what makes the R.O.C. special. We combine all our city's key resources for those experiencing homelessness into one entity that can provide it all—or at the very least, connect a person to what they need instantaneously.

Each time someone in the community sees someone representing the R.O.C., they are seeing someone who represents Homeless Healthcare, The Chatt Foundation, the City of Chattanooga's homeless services and housing division, Cempa, multiple rehab agencies, tons of churches, and the list goes on. In fact, each ROC member represents a combination of 35+ different partner organizations, all specializing in something different.

The R.O.C. is special because it's not just one agency trying to tackle the issue of homelessness; it's a combination of everything this city has to offer combined into one truly holistic community care initiative.”

-Noah Hoff- Lead Outreach Coordinator For The City Of Chattanooga

“What the R.O.C. does is special because it takes courage to do what no one else wants to do.”

-Jessica Long- Licensed Clinical Social Worker For Erlanger Hospital

#ROCAndRoll

#ROCRetrospective

#SomethingSpecial