History
1872
The beginnings of Chambliss Center for Children can be traced all the way back to 1872 when a group of local church women known as the Women's Christian Association started a food and clothing pantry for orphaned girls. A greater need soon became apparent, so the women rented a house to provide housing and care for orphaned boys and girls.
1910
As the need for orphan care grew, so did the need for more space. In 1910, Dr. McCallie donated a piece of land on Vine Street to build an orphanage. The matrons and children moved in to the Vine Street Orphan's Home in 1911.
1939
After moving from Vine Street to our current Brainerd location in 1939, the name was changed to The Children's Home (CH).
1946
The Chambliss Shelter began in 1946 when Judge Alexander Chambliss, a former City of Chattanooga mayor and chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, saw children removed from their homes with no place to go. Today, our Residential Program continues Judge Chambliss' goal of caring for children during an especially hard time in their life.
1969
In 1969, CH began a program that had never been done before- 24 hour/day childcare. This program continues today as our Extended Child Care Program.
The Extended Child Care Program (ECE) is our largest program, but certainly not the only one that we operate. After the overwhelming success and growth of the ECE program, Children's Home was asked to take on additional responsibility for another child-related program in 1983. This is when we contracted with Hamilton County Government to move the Chambliss Shelter to our Brainerd campus and operate the residential facility. We then became known as Children's Home/Chambliss Shelter.
1983
The Chambliss Shelter was our first collaboration, but would certainly not be our last. The scope of the responsibility of then Children's Home/Chambliss Shelter would expand again in 1986 when we worked with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga to take over operations of a struggling childcare center on the campus of Howard High School. All six childcare centers added in 1986 and after, are now managed by Chambliss Center for Children staff, but remain their own entity with their own Boards of Directors.
1986
1989
We began managing East Fifth Street Childcare Center (now Children's Academy for Education and Learning) in 1989.
We began managing Newton Child Development Center and Volunteer Community School in 1999.
1999
In addition to the six off-site centers, we also began to partner with the Hamilton County Department of Education to provide childcare inside Hamilton County Schools in 2002. This collaboration has expanded to many schools and allows teachers to have on-site childcare.
2002
We began managing Pro Re Bona Day Nursery in 2005.
2005
Children’s Home/ Chambliss Shelter opened the Thrift Store on Brainerd Road to to process donations and support the CH/CS operations’ budget.
2006
CH/CS changed its name to Chambliss Center for Children.
2013
2017
Chambliss Center for Children opened The Thrift Store in Red Bank to provide more financial support to its operations.
The Transitional Living Program was established for youth aging out of the foster care system.
The agency opened a early learning center at 1923 Dayton Boulevard in Red Bank to serve another 60 children ages 0-5 years.
A partnership was formed between Chambliss Center for Children and northeast Tennessee nonprofit Isaiah 117 House to establish the first Isaiah 117 House in Hamilton County. This project will offer a safe, cozy space for children to await placement after being removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
2021
In October of 2023, Isaiah 117 House at Chambliss Center for Children officially opened its doors, providing a safe and loving place for children entering foster care.
2023
In total, Chambliss Center for Children cares for over 750 children every day throughout the city. Though our programs and locations are many, we have one goal of caring for children and strengthening families. That is why our overall mission is "to enrich the lives of children, youth, and families by providing transformative programs and support services to meet the evolving needs of our community."