The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer broke ground Aug. 15 on a new Education Advancement Center and Gallery of Hope at 1601 South Holtzclaw Ave.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke spoke as guests of honor, while families the foundation serves gave testimonials about the support they have received through the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
This event also served as a celebration of the 13th birthday of the foundation’s namesake, Austin Hatcher Osborn, who passed away at only nine weeks old to a rare form of brain cancer. His parents, Amy Jo Osborn and Dr. James Osborn, began the foundation in his honor as a way to meet the needs of other families struggling with the effects of childhood cancer. The foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
The new 33,000-square-foot EAC borders Chattanooga’s Sculpture Fields at Montague Park and is a major expansion for the foundation’s programs, which include STEM programs and several unique therapy programs, including art therapy, industrial arts therapy, music therapy, woodworking, welding and automotive skills development.
“These therapies are designed to help in the recovery from childhood cancer while exposing patients and their siblings to new interests and skills that can sustain their futures as adults,” said Amy Jo Osborn, president of the foundation.
The EAC will also feature a new Gallery of Hope that showcases artwork created on the road to recovery from cancer. The gallery will be open to the general public.
The new EAC and Gallery of Hope are part of a five-year, $8 million growth project. The purchase of the new facility was made possible by the foundation’s partners, including MiKen Development, which contributed one-third of the purchase price of the building.
Additional partners are Modus Build, Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects, First Tennessee Bank and Second Story Properties. The foundation is also working with additional partners to secure more funds for the project.
The current EAC opened in 2017 and is located at 232 E. 11th St. in downtown Chattanooga within a federal opportunity zone. The 6,000-square-foot facility is listed for sale with Second Story Properties and will be sold to support the expansion. Contact Natalie Hostettler at natalie@secondstory.properties or 423 682-8241 for more information.
Source: Austin Hatcher Foundation