The Chattery, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit offering affordable adult-learning classes, is working to raise funds to return to the space it once called home—after an arson fire forced them out last year.

The organization, which offers classes ranging from arts and crafts to professional development, celebrated its 10th anniversary in August 2024. But instead of a milestone celebration, tragedy struck.

“Our classroom was destroyed due to arson,” co-founder Shawanda Mason said. “It was super traumatizing for both of us, because we didn’t know what we were going to do after that.”

Though the fire was contained to the back of the building, the damage made the entire space unsafe.

“The person burned plastic, and it caused it to be toxic in our space,” co-founder Jennifer Holder explained. “

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