WHo we are
​​Hope House is a UKirk ministry of the PC(USA) and Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Home Away from Home

We have a beautiful old Victorian house three houses off campus that has become a home for many of our students.  The house itself  is three floors and boasts a coffee shop, study rooms, free wifi, free washer/dryer, big screen TVs, a ping pong table, printers and computers, as well as, a huge backyard with picnic tables, amazing porches, and a spot to hang your Enos/hammocks. ​Everyone is welcome to come and make Hope House their home.

UKirk

The atmosphere at the house is one of grace and love. We are a safe space/safe zone for folks who identify as varying faiths, no faith, conservative, liberal,  LGBTQ+, those that identify with some of these labels and those for whom none of these labels quite fit. Hope is a judgment free zone where you can choose to be as active as you want. We offer worship, interfaith dialogue, mission and retreat opportunities, small group experiences  study, and various short term interest groups (ex., hiking, crocheting/knitting, swimming, climbing, prayer, etc.).

Food Ministry

Our fastest growing ministry is our food ministry. According to a recent study 47% of UTC students reported being food insecure at some point in their time at UTC. We offer a Free Tuesday lunch sponsored by local churches, dinner and Bible study one night a week, and always have leftovers and/or sandwiches available throughout the week. With almost half of UTC students reporting they do not know where their next meal is coming from, this is a ministry that truly meets the needs of the community.

Meet Our Team

The Hope House Staff have one thing in common... they love the mission! Okay, maybe two, they also all love dessert...

The Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas

Director  

Tricia is the Director of the Hope House. She graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2006 and before moving to Chattanooga, was a pastor at a new church development in Florida where she worked with youth, young adults, and their families. Tricia was called as the Director to Hope in 2014. She also serves as the Temporary Pastor of Renaissance Presbyterian Church where students at Hope partner in ministry. She loves to participate in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ and for her that begins with building relationships. Tricia loves Hope's intention of sharing God's love and hospitality to all God's children. Tricia loves to dive into the biblical text and encourages students to ask questions and listen to how the Holy Spirit is speaking through them and each other. In her free time Tricia enjoys reading, eating, and laughing with her friends and family. You'll also find her standing around eating Terry's tasty meals and declaring each one her favorite.

Terry Paris 

director of hospitality

Terry is the Hope House’s Director of Hospitality. Since joining the ministry full ­time in 2013, Terry has always exceeded the expectations of the students and the ministry with her resourcefulness and go-­getter attitude. Some say that her Sunday Suppers surpass that of their mother’s. Terry’s incredible disposition has earned her the nickname, “Momma T” that many of the students refer to her as. In her free time, Terry enjoys working with her hands in her garden, taking on home­ improvement tasks, or finding her next project on Pinterest. But most of all, she enjoys being a grandmother.

Josiah Vacheresse

Director of development, marketing

Josiah holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum Leadership from Tennessee Wesleyan University and a Certificate in Professional Fundraising from Boston University. He joined the team as Director of Development and Marketing in November 2018 after spending a year in Southern Africa as a Salesian Lay Missioner. He has worked in leadership capacities with the Salesian Planning and Development Office of Southern Africa as well as locally with organizations such as CASA and Habitat for Humanity. Josiah was drawn to Hope House because of the mission, and his hope to support places that promote open dialogue and acceptance for all.