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Clinch-Powell RC&D has been busy advocating, raising funds to protect local churches and share its mission throughout the Lakeway Area.

The organization, which has been serving communities since 1989, aims to build strong, sustainable communities by investing in people, housing, and conservation of natural resources.

It believes in a healthy and vital community where everyone is empowered, youth are celebrated, education is a priority, the environment is clean and housing is affordable.

The organization helped invest $2.7 million in the local economy, provide 114 full time and part positions, counsel 281 clients, help save 94 homes from foreclosure, rescue 45 families from homelessness and had provided more than 6,000 youth with environmental education through AmeriCorps member service.

One of its goals this year was to launch a podcast dedicated to educating the community about becoming homeowners and how to save money. In March it launched its podcast, ‘Dollar$ and Sen$e,’

“We have been really busy lately,” said Rebecca Dillow, Director of Strategy and Development “We are so excited to have launched our podcast and it has been going so well. We have just published our 11th episode.”

“It’s called Dollar and Cents with Clinch-Powell and it’s about making your dollars make sense and we try to tie in our topics with whatever is going on in the world.

“We have been talking about everything from how to shop for back to school on a budget and June was National Homeownership Month and so we talked about how to get into homeownership and why it matters, we had a bank as a guest and why it’s important to be a bank member.”

However, the organization has also been busy advocating for those it serves within the area.

“A lot of our time has been focused on advocacy work,” Dillow said. “We advocate for those who we serve, which includes working families who need affordable housing.”

“We have traveled to Washington D.C. and Nashville to talk with legislators to find ways to help those in our community.

“We have worked with the Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises, which consists of housing developers around the Appalachia area and together we recently were successful in advocating for more funding and it was announced FAHE would receive $10 million and FAHE members such as ourselves could request a grant to receive some of that funding.”

It is continuing its efforts to preserve historic buildings within the city of Rutledge including the Rutledge Presbyterian Church and the Henderson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

“We own the Rutledge Presbyterian Church and are the fiscal agent for the Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church, both being important pillars in the city’s history,” Dillow said. “Rutledge is a small town but it’s a beautiful and historic town and it has a rich history that should be preserved especially with these two churches.

“One having a white congregation and the other having a black congregation, these two have historically worked well together with the Rutledge Presbyterian Church aiding in financing the building of the Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church.

“In the 1800s the African American community didn’t have a place to worship and the community came together and donated materials from the old courthouse that was torn down to build the Henderson Chapel, so these churches have rich history to preserve.”

Dillow explained that Clinch-Powell is collecting funds for both these churches and will also seek grants to preserve their history.

“We are in the process of collecting funding for both of these churches to protect their history,” Dillow said. “We are currently applying for two different grants for each church.”

“The vision for these churches is that they will be community spaces where people can have events, weddings and just be a part of their spaces and eventually become a tourist attraction to draw people into the city of Rutledge.”

“These are buildings that mean a lot to so many people and it’s our job as a community to keep these stories alive and thriving to share with future generations.”

With the numerous projects Clinch-Powell has embraced it continues to share its mission with the community by partnering with local events.

“This year we have been to 12 events to spread the word about our organization and what we do,” Dillow said. “We realize that to serve the community we have to be out in the community so we’re excited to continue to spread the word.”

The next event the organization plans to partner with is the Rutledge Community Tailgate Party on Saturday, September 16th.

The event in collaboration with the city of Rutledge, the Grainger County Chamber of Commerce, the Grainger County Historical Society and Smith-Reagan Funeral Home will feature food, games and show the UT vs Florida football game.

“We are excited because this gives the community a chance to come together, spend time with each other and connect with one another,” Dillow said. “The game will be displayed on a screen that will be next to the Rutledge Presbyterian Church. This will give the community the opportunity to actually look at the church and learn about its rich history.”

Clinch-Powell also has its Home Repair Program that is still accepting applications until the grant runs out in October.

For homeowners in Cocke, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson and Union counties who need HVAC and/or Roof repairs, but cannot afford the cost can apply on the organization’s website. Applications are in both English and Spanish.

If anyone is interesting in donating to its preservation projects, text the word ‘DONATE’ to 865-503-4402, mail a donation to us at 7995 Rutledge Pike, Rutledge, TN 37861 or drop it off at the Citizens Bank & Trust Co. of Grainger County in Rutledge.

For more information on Clinch-Powell RC&D or its services, visit its website or call 865.828.5927.