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Chattanooga, community, Daily Life, Diversity, donate, Family, History

The Unseen Battle for Lincoln Park

By Virginia Campbell

Tiffany Rankin walks past the old bathhouse on the edge of Lincoln Park’s baseball field. The bathhouse used to be the only facilities that African American baseball players could use, even when they were allowed to play at Engel Stadium. (Taken on February 19, 2022. Photo by Maggie Weaver.)

Lincoln Park used to be a safe space for the African American community to enjoy themselves. In fact, before integration in the 60s, it was the only park in Chattanooga they were allowed in. The property is currently owned by Erlanger, who have built parking lots over most of the park, reducing it down to just five acres. Compared to the original twenty acre plot, it’s now a mere skeleton.

Tiffany Rankin grew up in the area and remains a resident in the neighborhood adjacent to the park. She has always been a community leader, but she started to get heavily involved and raise awareness for the park when she heard the City of Chattanooga was planning to extend Central Avenue. The road would cut into a boundary of the park, sizing it down further. The plan was to “urbanize” the area, which, to Tiffany and many others in the community, meant displacement and gentrification.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Daily Life, Diversity, donate, Family, Healing, Uncategorized

Faithful Aid

By Seth Carpenter

  • A Bible sits on the dash of the UGM church van. Religion was integral to the GDP and its graduate Dan Johnson. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Daniel Bregg rides in the UGM church van on the way to Sunday service. Religion was an integral part of the GDP. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Dan Johnson attends church. Religion was very important to Johnson’s life. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Dan Johnson looks at a photo of one of his children. Family was another important issue in Johnson’s life. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Brandon White writes about what he feels is important in life for class. White was in the second of four phases that make up the GRACE Discipleship Program at UGM. Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Brandon White carries an empty pot of turkey to dump in the trash can. White also had help from Tyler Chambers (left). Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Bill Basham gives Ron Wolf a cup of coffee. Basham was very receptive to his students. Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Bill Basham conducts the morning class with Brandon White, Ron Wolf and Tyler Chambers. The class touched on topics such as what the students felt was important in life and addiction. Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Dan Johnson enters the UGM chapel. For Dan, the UGM was home. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Dan Johnson drives the GDP students back to the UGM with a Bible on the dash. Relgion was crucial to the GRACE Discipleship Program. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)
  • Dan Johnson prays. Religion was very important to Johnson. Sunday, November 21, 2021 (Photo by Seth Carpenter)

The Union Gospel Mission through its GRACE Discipleship Program works to help men dealing with life-controlling issues. Program graduate and current volunteer, Dan Johnson, goes into the importance of the program itself, the people who come to Union Gospel Mission for help, how faith intersects with the work done, and why he stays there.

Seth Carpenter is a photojournalist as well as the current Photo Editor of UT Chattanooga’s student-run newspaper, the University Echo. Recently, he told the story of how a nurse and her family have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He hopes the stories he tells will make a difference in the lives of people around him. You can contact him at Sethcarpenter101@gmail.com.