Transition home proposal withdrawn, other opportunities may be available for ministry

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial proposal to place a transition home for youths in an East Brainerd neighborhood was back up for discussion Wednesday.

Broken Healer Ministries had applied for a zoning change so they could run this group home inside of the Shenandoah neighborhood in East Brainerd.

The ministry’s founder, Nirva Ache, says this home would help young adults who have aged out of the foster care system transition to adulthood.

Nearly 850 young adults age of the foster system each year in Tennessee, often with limited opportunities. 

After widespread backlash from neighbors, concerned about who would be allowed to stay inside of that house, the Planning Commission recommended that the zoning request be denied.

Ache elected during today’s meeting to withdraw her request, saying that she wants to find a more suitable location for her home.

Several commissioners offered to help her through the process of potentially securing a new location to help provide this unique service.

Ache said, “It’s very encouraging because first of all the community is now aware of the need… If we don’t want criminals on our streets then we need to do something, and they seem like they’re willing to do something about it.”

Neighbors who showed up to oppose the request said they appreciate the request being withdrawn, with some offering to help found the ministry a new location.