Driving Our Economy Forward: Basecamp
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s an event to connect local resources and organizations. Basecamp is a day for professionals to speak with Chattanooga industries. Tonight, we are getting a first-hand look at how the Enterprise Center is supporting small businesses. It’s this week’s Driving our Economy Forward.
“I came to base camp without any expectations. And I actually met so many great connections that are now my colleagues and friends. After three years, we still keep seeing each other even though we don’t work, maybe in the same industry. We met at base camp and now we continue to hang out after, and we have supported each other in our careers and finding new opportunities in town,” said Melissa Callejas, Program Director for Tech Goes Home.
“It got me connected with several, people that are now part of the YP (Young Professionals) groups that I am a part of, and also just helped me understand a little more about the culture of Chattanooga,” said Callejas.
“So, one of the reasons I really believe in this, is that, I mean, I’ve seen it work. But my grandmother was a public-school teacher in this community for over 30 years, and, just seeing the impact that a great education can have on people, is really important. And today we have to pay for that great education and that opportunity with a good wage, a thriving wage. Because at the end of the day, all of the, the degrees, all of the credentials in the world don’t matter if you can’t make a living doing what you want to do,” said Walton Robinson, the Executive Director of the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Apprenticeship Hub.
“My grandmother was a public-school teacher in this community for over 30 years, and, just seeing the impact that a great education can have on people, is really important. And today we have to pay for that great education and that opportunity with a good wage, a thriving wage. Because at the end of the day, all of the, the degrees, all of the credentials in the world don’t matter if you can’t make a living doing what you want to do. And it’s just a matter of getting people to open up to the possibilities. You’d be shocked at how many times, people just don’t believe,” said Robinson.
“Believe me when I say like, yes, you can go from, you know, making eight bucks an hour to making $75,000 a year with no college degree in less than a year. Right? It sounds too good to be true. But it’s not. If you if you’re motivated, you work hard. We have the opportunity, to connect you so you can get there,” said Robinson.
“Back when I first started at the Enterprise Center, there was a woman that I signed up just to receive some discounted internet service. That $30 discounted internet service changed her life. I didn’t recognize her when we met later in life. But we were in at another. She came up to me, she’s like, hey, you help me, you help me. You really helped me get my children back. You help me get into school. And I was like, what did I do? I didn’t recognize. You came to my class, and you signed me up for ACP, and, that just really helped me, help me get into school,” said Micah Chapman, the Director of Events and Outreach for Tech Goes Home at the Enterprise Center.
“I was able to get a character, a better character, witness of myself to get my custody of my kids back. And my life has just changed completely just by hadn’t been able to afford internet. So, like, I didn’t have internet. I didn’t have a, electronic device. So, take those home class or was able to provide the device to me. And I met you. You were able to get me free internet. And she was just like, now I’m just in a better stage of life,” said Chapman.
“It’s really interesting to navigate the enterprise centers presence. And all the programs are part of we’re part of Ed Connect. That’s free, high speed internet access, powered by EPB for Hamilton County School students. You know, these great programs that are kind of desperate and spread across different areas but all very connected in our drive to connect people and businesses with technology for a more advanced and inclusive future,” said Laura Jane Walker, the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Enterprise Center.
