About LIFT Grundy
LIFT stands for Let's Improve Futures Together.
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Our vision is a county where everyone can take care of their health and stay connected to their community. We believe transportation plays a big role in helping people stay healthy. That's why we're working to grow the options so people can get where they need to go.
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LIFT Grundy brings together volunteer drivers, clinics, and community partners to connect people with rides and resources. By working together as neighbors, we're making it easier for people to get to care, services, and other important parts of daily life.
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This program is free for Grundy County residents. It's funded by the Tennessee Department of Health and run by the South Cumberland Community Fund.
What We're Building
Over the next few years, LIFT Grundy is working to make transportation easier and more reliable across the county.
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We’re working toward a community where more people can get to doctor visits, work, and daily needs without added stress. Where fewer rides are missed because of transportation challenges, and more neighbors are able to help one another. Where people feel more connected to care, services, and their community.
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Our goal isto make sure people in Grundy County can get where they need to go and stay connected to what keeps them healthy.
Our Team
Elise Krews
Program Manager
Elise is the Program Manager for LIFT Grundy, where she oversees the grant that funds the program and supports how the work is carried out. She works with partners to define how the program operates in practice, build structure and processes, and keep things moving day to day.
She brings experience managing large public health grants, which informs her work supporting coordination across partners and helping ensure resources are used effectively.
Elise collaborates with local organizations, clinics, and community partners to connect residents with the rides and resources they need to stay healthy, while helping the program continue to respond to community needs.
With a background in community health, Elise is committed to building a stronger, more connected Grundy County.
Ethan Sherrer
Volunteer Driver Coordinator
Ethan Sherrer works as the Volunteer Driver Coordinator for LIFT Grundy. His role is to work on developing a volunteer based ride-share program to help improve health related transportation in the area. Ethan is currently working on spreading awareness of LIFT Grundy's services, recruiting volunteers, and giving rides to people with transportation barriers.
Ethan is from Tullahoma, Tennessee, and he graduated in 2023 from East Tennessee State University with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology. He is passionate about human rights and community service.
Kacie Chambers
Mobility Coordinator
Kacie Chambers has been a resident of Tracy City for nearly ten years. Drawing on her experience in community engagement, she now partners with SCCF and SETHRA to expand transportation access throughout Grundy County. Her commitment to collaboration and cultivating strong relationships has been instrumental in advancing initiatives that benefit the local community.
Nikki Archey
Community Health Worker
Nikki Archey serves the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic as a community health worker. Nikki has a deep passion for helping others and a strong desire to improve health outcomes in underserved communities and believes CHWs play a vital role in bridging gaps between healthcare providers and the people they serve, particularly in rural areas.
Our Partners
Grundy Recovery Alliance
Grundy Recovery Alliance Community Endeavor (GRACE) is a faith-based, non-profit recovery organization focused on providing educational programs and safe, welcoming environments to build and strengthen community, and aid recovery from disruptive life events. Providing transportation for individuals in recovery is an enormous task. GRACE helps individuals in their care work and worship, access medical care, and attend legal appointments to ensure that they are restored to full lives after recovery. LIFT Grundy supports this work through support for drivers to provide this essential service.
MOSAIC
MOSAIC is a residential recovery organization in Pelham, Tennessee, that works with men to "see men experience the fullness of freedom from addiction." Providing transportation for individuals in recovery is an enormous task. Mosaic helps men in their care work and worship, access medical care, and attend legal appointments to ensure that they are restored to full lives after recovery. LIFT Grundy supports this work through the purchase of a van and support for drivers to provide this essential service.
SETHRA
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) provides essential social services, housing assistance, senior care, and public transportation in 11 counties of Southeast Tennessee, focusing on helping families achieve self-sufficiency and eliminate generational poverty through a wide range of programs. SETHRA is providing health related transportation, including fixed routes, grocery runs, and scheduled rides to clinics and essential services.
South Cumberland Community Clinic
South Cumberland Community Clinic is a clinic in Tracy City providing high quality medical care to individuals without insurance. Patients may see a doctor at no cost to them, and the clinic will also work with patients on arranging any specialty care. SCCC employs a LIFT Grundy community health worker, who accompanies patients on their medical journey, helping devise health improvement plans and ensuring that patients know what resources are available to them.
Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic
Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic serves the north end of Grundy County and provides medical care to individuals without insurance. Patients may see a doctor at no cost to them, and the clinic will also work with patients on arranging any specialty care. BSMC employs a LIFT Grundy community health worker, who accompanies patients on their medical journey, helping devise health improvement plans and ensuring that patients know what resources are available to them.