Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Broke Ground on New $3.2M Education Advancement Cente
Photo by Soli Photography
- Groundbreaking Took Place on Birthdate of Namesake Austin Hatcher Osborn
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2019) – Last week, the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s staff, board members, guests, and patients broke ground on the new $3.2 million Education Advancement Center (EAC) and Gallery of Hope at 1601 South Holtzclaw Avenue on Thursday, August 15. Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and Mayor of Chattanooga Andy Berke spoke as guests of honor, while families the foundation serves gave testimonials about the support they’ve received through the services offered by the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
This event also served as a celebration of the thirteenth birthday of the foundation’s namesake, Austin Hatcher Osborn. He passed away at only nine weeks old to a very rare form of brain cancer, and his parents Amy Jo Osborn and Dr. James Osborn began the foundation in his honor as a way to meet the needs of other families struggling with the effects of childhood cancer. The foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
The new 33,000 square foot EAC borders Chattanooga’s Sculpture Fields at Montague Park and is a major expansion for the foundation’s unique programs. The Austin Hatcher Foundation focuses therapies on recovery and building a better life for children with cancer and their families. The EAC will also feature a new Gallery of Hope that showcases artwork created on the road to recovery from cancer. The Gallery of Hope will be open to the general public.
“In 2019, we embarked on a major expansion of the EAC and our services. We’ve developed STEM programs, as well as unique therapy programs including art therapy, the Gallery of Hope, industrial arts therapy, music therapy, woodworking, welding, and automotive skills development,” said Austin Hatcher Foundation President Amy Jo Osborn. “These therapies are designed to help in the recovery from childhood cancer while exposing patients and their siblings to new interests and skills that can sustain their futures as adults.”
The new EAC and Gallery of Hope are part of a five-year $8 million growth project. The purchase of the new facility was made possible by the foundation’s partners including MiKen Development, who contributed one-third of the purchase price of the building. Additional partners are Modus Build, Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects, First Tennessee Bank, and Second Story Properties. The foundation is also working with additional partners to secure additional funds for the project.
The current EAC opened in 2017 and is located at 232 East 11th Street in downtown Chattanooga within a federal Opportunity Zone. The 6,000 square foot facility is listed for sale with Second Story Properties and will be sold to support the expansion. Please contact Natalie Hostettler at natalie@secondstory.properties or 423-682-8241 for more information.
