AIM Center, Inc.

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AIM Center, Inc. We are non-medical and non-clinical, however, we work in concert with other professionals to provide comprehensive mental health services.

The AIM Center clubhouse provides psychosocial rehabilitation services to create hope, community and social change to enrich and celebrate the lives of people living with serious mental illness. AIM Center is a nonprofit mental health program offering employment, education, housing, socialization, and wellness opportunities for adults living with serious mental illness. Our focus is recovery! What makes us unique to the region? Utilizing a psychosocial rehabilitation model known as the "Clubhouse program," the AIM Center allows Clubhouse members to develop relationships and create an individual recovery plan, whilst working side by side with other program participants and staff. Since 1989, we have helped over 3,000 adults in the Chattanooga community lead a full and meaningful life, while living with serious mental illness. Each day 75 to 100 participants, called Clubhouse members, come to the AIM Center to engage in recovery activities. By working together with staff and other members, individuals begin to feel needed and accepted, discover their strengths and abilities, and develop relationships based on mutual respect and shared contributions. AIM Center members have equal voices in all facets of the Clubhouse ‘s operations including planning leisure activities, hiring staff, making decisions about policies and procedures, and having input into the long-range planning of the Clubhouse. Services provided outside the Clubhouse model promote community integration, which includes transitional and supported employment, supported education, supported housing, and leisure activities. The program is open to persons with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder who are 18 years of age or older. Membership to AIM Center is without time limits, so individuals may return to AIM Center whenever they need or want additional support.

This is it, your final chance to join us for the inaugural Mental Health Hero Awards. ✨Ticket sales close at midnight to...
10/21/2026

This is it, your final chance to join us for the inaugural Mental Health Hero Awards. ✨

Ticket sales close at midnight tonight, and we're so excited to bring our community together to celebrate mental health recovery and the incredible people and organizations making a difference in the lives of others. We have such a special group of inaugural award winners, and we can't wait for you to hear their stories, celebrate their impact, and share in an evening centered on hope, connection, and the power of community.

Get those last-minute tickets before it's too late by clicking here ➡ https://bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards

Over the last several weeks, we’ve been sharing the stories of our incredible Mental Health Hero Awards winners, and we’...
10/19/2026

Over the last several weeks, we’ve been sharing the stories of our incredible Mental Health Hero Awards winners, and we’re finally down to our last honoree: our 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Jean Blackburn, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC.

Jean’s journey in mental health care began in 1961 at Florida State Hospital, where one brief interaction would shape her life’s work. When a patient who had been silent for some time finally spoke, their first words were, “Orange Juice.” But when that simple request was denied because it fell outside the established schedule, the patient withdrew into silence once again.

For Jean, this moment revealed how easily rules and routines could overshadow the person at the heart of care. She carried that lesson throughout her career, advocating for an approach to mental health care grounded in compassion, dignity, and understanding.

After coming to Chattanooga, Jean joined the Erlanger School of Nursing faculty and helped establish psychiatric nursing training at Moccasin Bend, where she worked for 16 years. In 1978, she established Family System Therapy after studying Bowen Family Systems Theory. Throughout her career, she has coached more than 4,000 families, helping people strengthen relationships and navigate life’s challenges.

With 65 years as a registered nurse and 53 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jean’s legacy reminds us that meaningful change begins when we see the person beyond their circumstances.

Stories like Jean’s are why we created the Mental Health Hero Awards: to celebrate the people whose compassion, advocacy, and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

We’re honored to celebrate Jean and a lifetime spent making mental health care more human.

Join us October 29 at The Westin Chattanooga as we celebrate Jean and our 2026 honorees. ✨

🎟️ Ticket sales close THIS Wednesday, October 21, so this is your last chance to be a part of this special evening. To purchase your tickets, click here ➡ bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards.

The weekend is here, and we have just one question for you… Have you bought your tickets to the Mental Health Hero Award...
10/16/2026

The weekend is here, and we have just one question for you… Have you bought your tickets to the Mental Health Hero Awards yet? ✨

If not, there is still time! Ticket sales close next week, they're going faster than ever, and we’d love for you to join us for a special evening celebrating mental health recovery and the incredible people in our community who make a difference every single day.

With 10 amazing award winners to celebrate, live entertainment, dinner and drinks, an exciting silent auction featuring local packages and custom artwork created by AIM Center members, and a fun after-party, there’s so much to look forward to. But what makes this night truly special is the opportunity to come together with others who believe in hope, connection, and a community where people living with serious mental illness can thrive.

We hope you’ll be part of this meaningful evening. Learn more about what’s in store and get your tickets before sales close next week by clicking here ➡️ https://bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards

Are you passionate about mental health recovery and helping others work toward their goals? Do you believe in the power ...
10/14/2026

Are you passionate about mental health recovery and helping others work toward their goals? Do you believe in the power of community and the difference a supportive team can make? The AIM Center is looking for Recovery Coaches to join our team!

Recovery Coaches work side-by-side with Clubhouse members to support their personal goals, encourage community integration, and help them build more meaningful, fulfilling lives. Through our Clubhouse Model, you’ll be part of a team that helps members strengthen their skills, explore opportunities, and work toward greater independence and well-being.

We’re looking for individuals with experience in behavioral health or social services who are ready to bring their skills, compassion, and collaborative spirit to a community built around hope, recovery, and connection.

If you’re looking for a meaningful opportunity to make a difference alongside others, we’d love for you to learn more!

Explore the role, responsibilities, and qualifications here: ➡️ https://bit.ly/AIMRecoveryCoach

Marsha Mills is passionate about helping others discover the power of their own voices and believes creative expression ...
10/13/2026

Marsha Mills is passionate about helping others discover the power of their own voices and believes creative expression can play an important role in emotional and mental wellness.

As a Chattanooga native, poet, and creative visionary, Marsha has spent much of her life using poetry and the arts to bring people together and encourage meaningful self-expression. She is the owner of GoldNook, a publishing and production company, and the host and producer of One Rhyme at a Time: Unwrapping the Meaning and the Muse, a poetry and mental wellness podcast produced in partnership with Rhyme N Chatt and WUTC 88.1 FM.

Marsha’s commitment to advocacy and community connection extends beyond her creative work. From 2004 to 2025, she served as Executive Director of Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization, helping the organization achieve nonprofit status and expand its community impact. She also spearheaded the Poetry Pathway at Renaissance Park in partnership with the City of Chattanooga, creating opportunities for people to engage with poetry and share their voices in a public space.

Marsha believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves, feel heard, and explore their emotional wellness through creativity. Through her leadership, poetry, and dedication to creating opportunities for others, she continues to show how the arts can strengthen connections, encourage self-discovery, and help build a more supportive community.

We are proud to recognize Marsha Mills as our 2026 Voice for Change Award recipient and celebrate her dedication to empowering others, advancing mental wellness, and using the power of words to make a difference in our community.

Join us at The Mental Health Hero Awards on October 29 as we celebrate Marsha and honor the advocates, leaders, and changemakers working to advance mental health awareness, connection, and support throughout our community. ✨

This is your final week to purchase tickets and join us in honoring all of these changemakers! To learn more about this event and to purchase your tickets, click here ➡ bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards

Molly Hampton is passionate about making sure young people have a voice and that everyone in her community feels heard, ...
10/09/2026

Molly Hampton is passionate about making sure young people have a voice and that everyone in her community feels heard, supported, and cared for.

As an International Baccalaureate student at Signal Mountain Middle/High School PTSA, Molly has found ways to turn that passion into action. She founded and serves as chair of Students Organizing Students - SOS, a student-led organization that empowers young people to speak up, support one another, and make a difference. Through SOS and other community service projects, she has helped support students, families, and children in need.

Molly’s commitment to advocacy also extends to mental health. She believes everyone deserves access to support and the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging. Through her leadership and service, she continues to demonstrate how young people can help build more connected, compassionate communities where others feel seen and heard.

Molly believes young people deserve to know their voices matter, especially when it comes to their mental health and the support they need to thrive. Through her work with SOS, her community involvement, and her aspirations to pursue a career in law, she is helping build a community where young people feel empowered to speak up, support one another, and know they aren't alone.

We are proud to recognize Molly Hampton as a 2026 Mental Health Hero Award recipient and celebrate her leadership, compassion, and dedication to making a difference in her community.

Join us at The Mental Health Hero Awards on October 29 as we celebrate Molly and honor the next generation of advocates working to advance mental health awareness, connection, and support throughout our community. ✨

Learn more and get your tickets at bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards

We got to celebrate some incredible wins this week with our Clubhouse community and friends in the community as well!Our...
10/08/2026

We got to celebrate some incredible wins this week with our Clubhouse community and friends in the community as well!

Our very own Joseph Jones was nominated for Employee of the Year by the Chattanooga Area Employment Consortium for his hard work and dedication at his transitional employment placement with Scottie B’s Burgers, and we couldn’t be more proud. Joseph continues to show what’s possible when you have the opportunity to pursue your employment goals and be an important part of your community.

Additionally, one of our employment partners, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, Inc. , won Employer of the Year! We are so thankful to them for creating employment opportunities for our Clubhouse members to pursue their employment goals and thrive, and it was wonderful to celebrate this honor with them.

Thank you to CAEC for a wonderful day and for celebrating the people and organizations making a difference in our community. We look forward to this event every year! 🧡

Since becoming an AIM Center Clubhouse Member in 2015, Aaron Baker has made the Clubhouse an important part of his life....
10/07/2026

Since becoming an AIM Center Clubhouse Member in 2015, Aaron Baker has made the Clubhouse an important part of his life. Over the years, he has helped out across all areas of the Clubhouse, always willing to lend a hand, learn something new, and be part of the work that keeps our community moving forward.

Aaron takes great pride in working hard and being independent. He has maintained employment with Food City since 2017 and has lived in AIM’s permanent supportive housing since 2020. Together, these parts of his life have given Aaron a strong sense of purpose, stability, and independence while allowing him to continue growing within the community he calls home.

Aaron is also a familiar and valued ambassador for the AIM Center. He has participated in community projects, interviews, employment dinners, and other opportunities to represent AIM and share the importance of the Clubhouse with others. He understands what it means to be part of a community, and he takes that role seriously.

Aaron’s journey has shaped his determination to keep moving forward, work hard, and build a life he is proud of. Today, he continues to show what mental health recovery can look like through his commitment to employment, his dedication to the Clubhouse, and his desire to be an important part of the AIM community and the Chattanooga community at large.

We are proud to recognize Aaron Baker as a 2026 Mental Health Hero Award recipient and celebrate the resilience, dedication, and commitment to mental health recovery he demonstrates every day. Aaron reminds us that recovery is not just about where you have been, but about the life you continue to build and the ways you choose to show up for others.

Join us at The Mental Health Hero Awards on October 29 as we celebrate Aaron and honor his commitment to recovery, hard work, and the community he is proud to call his own. ✨

Learn more and get your tickets at bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards

Here are some familiar faces at the Clubhouse International - ICCD USA Clubhouse Conference this past week!We were fortu...
10/05/2026

Here are some familiar faces at the Clubhouse International - ICCD USA Clubhouse Conference this past week!

We were fortunate enough to send a dedicated, ambitious, and eager group to this conference to connect with Clubhouse peers from across the country, share ideas, learn from one another, and bring some new knowledge and inspiration back to us here in Chattanooga.

We’re super excited for the rest of us to see what awesome knowledge and ideas these folks are bringing back to our Clubhouse!

As the founder of HART Gallery TN, Ellen Heavilon has spent years making a difference in the Chattanooga community by us...
10/01/2026

As the founder of HART Gallery TN, Ellen Heavilon has spent years making a difference in the Chattanooga community by using art as a tool for connection, expression, and opportunity.

With a background in special education and a lifelong commitment to volunteering, Ellen was inspired to start HArt Gallery in 2009 after seeing a piece of public art created by individuals experiencing homelessness. That moment sparked an idea to provide art supplies and an opportunity for these individuals to share and sell their work.

Since then, she has helped create opportunities for individuals facing barriers, including people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, disabled veterans, and those living with mental and physical challenges.

Through its partnership with the AIM Center, HArt Gallery has supported so many of our members in exploring their creativity, sharing their stories, and discovering new possibilities through artistic expression. Over the years, we've had the privilege of collaborating on special projects and witnessing firsthand the impact of Ellen's vision and HART Gallery's work in our community.

We're proud to recognize Ellen for her lasting contributions and the meaningful connections she's helped foster through art. Join us on October 29 at the Mental Health Hero Awards as we celebrate Ellen and the incredible individuals and organizations making a difference in mental health, recovery, and our community. ✨

Tickets are selling out quickly, so reserve your seat today and be part of an evening celebrating the people who inspire change.

Learn more and get your tickets at bit.ly/MentalHealthHeroAwards

Address

472 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN
37402

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 2am

Telephone

+14236244800

Website

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