Professional Documents
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A New Beginning sp17
A New Beginning sp17
UHON 2860
Writing Assignment 1
Ann Yoachim
February 2, 2017
A New Beginning
As I think about the way this semester has started, I recognize the value of the insights from last
semester our class has internalized. As simple as it may have seemed, we realized that place is not easy
to define. We learned that place influences people, and people influence place; the main factor in the
equation seems to be the people. We learned that community perceptions often saturate the minds of
newcomers which is not necessarily a good thing. We also learned that while new ideas may seem
innovative, real advances are made in empathizing with our fellow classmates and community, and
meeting their needs as we use the design thinking process to connect students to the community.
Innovation is hard, and it takes critical thinking and creativity to navigate through ideas, research, and
Through the iterative processes of this lab, my attention has been drawn to the issue of
homelessness. During my mission trip to Indonesia this past Christmas break, I was inspired by those
who had seemingly so much less than I. They were often aware of their struggles and poverty compared
to normal standards of living, but God is alive in their lives. They have not grown more discouraged, but
encouraged. As I spent more and more time around these people, this place, humility seeped in. When
I returned home, I realized that homelessness is awful, but a community full of resources that wont
make a difference is far worse. Shane from Jazzanooga said that strong community building is sharing
history. There are many misconceptions about homelessness among our student body that is clear
through the student interviews and interactions. Last Thursday, I met Tony. He is a young man about
my age, and is enrolled at Chattanooga State Community College. Him, his mother, and his three
younger siblings are homeless. They are receiving care from an organization called Family Promise of
Greater Chattanooga. Tony said he has gone through a lot and it is nearly impossible to imagine yet
he said despite the struggles they have gone through, it has made him thankful, tough, hardworking,
humble, respectful, and God-seeking. I see great possibilities in aiding those in need while
strengthening the relationship between community and student body. In the greater Chattanooga area,
I believe it imperative to learn how organizations like Family Promise, Chattanooga Room in the
Inn, Chattanooga Rescue Mission, and Community Kitchen would like to see greater community
involvement, specifically, among UTC students. I would like to learn how they would use a body of
students to help bring about greater community involvement, aid to those in need, and give a new
perspective for those who may be considered better off. We need to help each other. I would like to
learn how the administrators of these organizations see the world, and how they imagine finding better