Build Me A World facilitates the inner work and outward expression of creative citizenship and art activism.
What is the role and impact of artists in our society? How can citizens use their creativity to solve issues within their communities? How can culture and the arts bring about change in other sectors such as economics, social work, health, development, urban and community planning?
Build Me A World is a Chattanooga-based non-profit offering mentorship and creative opportunities for our neighbors. Many have experienced the destructive cultural cycle of gang-related crime, and the life challenges that accompany that cycle. We believe your inner work begets your outer work. Creative expression is the tool we utilize to empower new thoughts, new faith, and new horizons for yourself, your family, and our community.
“All of life depends upon neighbors. When relationships improve and strengthen, communities flourish. When people isolate, communities unravel. It is that simple. And it takes practice. It requires wisdom. ”
What We Do
Over the past seven years Build Me A World has explored different ideas, practices, and experiences that revolve around one big idea: the way a person excels spiritually directly impacts the way a neighborhood flourishes.We believe it is important to prepare the soil before you plant the seed to grow. In an effort to prepare people to grow we work in different formats: workshops, mentoring and retreats.
Workshops
Workshops are introductory experiences that provide a basic beginning structure for growth.
Mentoring
Mentoring is an intimate engagement (often referred to as spiritual direction) that personalizes the experience of growth and unfolding.
Retreats
Retreats are personal or group experiences of rest, recovery and growth intended to provide both a workshop beginning learning with a mentoring feel.
Interested in hosting a WORKSHOP OR RETREAT for your team?
Our Leadership
Some of our initiatives include the SoulCare Project, BIG (Build It Green), Rocket, New Monastic, Creative Citizenship, Tribe One, Freedom Schools, Forty Folks and more.
Chris Woodhull
Executive Director
Chris Woodhull directs The SoulCare Project and Build Me a World, two local mentoring/community building organizations. His background includes eight years on Knoxville City Council and twenty-five plus years running inner city empowerment projects focusing on gang violence and poverty, using business as a platform for development. He completed graduate work at Richmont Graduate University and the Graduate Program in Spiritual Disciplines at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland; studied mediation and negotiation at the Harvard Negotiation Project; and has received recognitions for his work in public process and workforce development. He co-directs a workforce development project with Greenspaces called Build It Green (BIG). He is an ordained minister with Mission Chattanooga, loves running, reading and hosts a weekly jazz program every Friday night on an NPR affiliate station after All Things Considered.
Partnerships
We are deeply grateful for the support of our partners. Their collaboration and creativity helps make Build Me A World possible.
Our Builders
Take a minute (or ten) and listen to voices in our community. These stories are the reason we do what we do.
Get Involved
HOST A WORKSHOP
Workshops are introductory experiences that provide a basic beginning structure for growth.
BOOK CHRIS TO SPEAK
Chris Woodhull speaks on the redemptive practice of soul-making and creative citizenship for the common good.
GIVE TO OUR COMMUNITY
We can only do what we do because of partners and donors that believe in our work. Join us.
INVITATION
It’s time to create a new story.
