About LifeLine, Inc.

LifeLine, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parachurch ministry organization that strives to provide support, education, and resources to families affected by disability.  Its primary service area is Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, but LifeLine, Inc. has served families in more than 35 states.  All of LifeLine, Inc.’s Board of Directors and staff are affected by disability through direct experience or as family members.

When someone is drowning, a life preserver is extended. LifeLine, Inc.’s name describes the organization’s desire to extend a similar lifeline to families affected by and struggling with disability.  The life preservers and lifelines in its logo come together to form a flower which is known as a symbol of thriving life.  LifeLine, Inc.’s intention is to help families thrive, not just survive.  It is also the organization’s hope to show forth Jesus, the only giver of eternal life, in everything it says or does.

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Mission

As set forth in its charter, this organization was formed for the following reasons:

  1. To provide information, support, and training to individuals with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who provide support for them in the community.
  2. To educate churches and the general public about disabilities, legal and civil rights, and service delivery systems.
  3. To encourage and support parents, professionals, churches, and organizations who wish to become advocates for individuals with disabilities.
  4. To promote programs and practices that guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, nature, or severity of disability, and empower those individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration in all aspects of society.
  5. To share the love of Jesus Christ and the biblical concept of the value of all human life with everyone who makes contact with the organization in word and deed.
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Purpose

LifeLine, Inc.’s three main purposes are to provide support, education, and resources to families affected by disabilities, whether they be chronic or temporary, medical or educational, or physical or mental. LifeLine, Inc. is currently focused on assisting families of children with disabilities, aged birth to 22, regardless of diagnosis type or existence.  However, the organization’s ultimate goal is to provide lifespan services to families affected by disability.

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Support

LifeLine, Inc. knows that families with special needs often feel overwhelmed, isolated, and misunderstood. Support from sources that truly comprehend their struggles is invaluable. Below are some of the organization’s outreach efforts provided by those personally affected by disability and focused on supporting and uplifting such families:

  • FamilyShare – Frequent family support groups that are not diagnosis-specific.
  • Newsletter & LifeLineOnline – A bi-monthly newsletter and up-to-date website that keep families informed about upcoming LifeLine events and trainings, disability related community activities, and breaking news affecting the disability community.
  • Facebook Group – Over 1,200 people have joined the Lifeline, Inc. Facebook group to get ideas, ask questions, and learn about local activities and events.  Click here to join.
  • ParentLink – LifeLine, Inc.’s Caregiver Mentoring Program.  Families affected by disability are connected to other, more experienced families to gain support, education, and advocacy.  Families who then become comfortable in their roles as caregivers, have opportunities to become mentors themselves.
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Education

It is important for families and communities affected by disability to have clear and precise information about medical diagnoses and their related educational rights and responsibilities. They also need help understanding the real life ramifications of these issues.  To that end, LifeLine, Inc. provides workshops and trainings to families, schools, professionals, educators, and churches.

  • S.T.E.P. (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) workshops and other informational classes are offered to help families navigate the special education process.  Regardless of whether children are homeschooled, public-schooled, or private-schooled, these trainings are helpful for understanding the educational rights and responsibilities of all.
  • Training on other disability related topics are provided periodically.  Click here for the complete list of workshops.
  • Training is offered to families, schools, professionals, educators, and churches who seek to include children with special needs in their programming.  See the Special Needs Ministry Page for more details.
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Resources

Through its Community Parent Resource Center, LifeLine, Inc. provides resources, referrals, and materials for families who need further assistance.

  • Resource & Referral – Although LifeLine, Inc. offers a wealth of information and services, it does not pretend to know everything.  Where the organization does not specialize, it connects families with those quality services and providers that do specialize in their particular fields of interest.  LifeLine, Inc. provides resource and referral services to families as well as local organizations, pediatricians, and other professionals.
  • Community Parent Resource Center  – Both in person and online, LifeLine, Inc. provides valuable materials about community programs and services available to the families of those with special needs.  Additionally, part of the Resource Center is specifically designed for churches to use as they develop their own Special Needs Ministry.
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Location

LifeLine, Inc.’s main office is located inside Hixson First Baptist Church at 5800 Grubb Road in Hixson, Tennessee.  The organization’s Community Parent Resource Center is located there as well and so are many of its activities and training sessions.  LifeLine, Inc. also has offices in Georgia in Walker County and Catoosa County.  For more information about LifeLine, Inc. or its projects, call Lisa Mattheiss, Executive Director at (423) 645-0504.  LifeLine’s office number is (423) 622-4007.  LifeLine, Inc. primarily serves families in the Southeast Tennessee/Northwest Georgia region, but families have been served in some capacity across more than 35 states.

LifeLine, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parachurch ministry organization that strives to provide support, education, and resources to families affected by disability.  Its primary service area is Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, but LifeLine, Inc. has served families in more than 35 states.  All of LifeLine, Inc.’s Board of Directors and staff are affected by disability through direct experience or as family members.

When someone is drowning, a life preserver is extended. LifeLine, Inc.’s name describes the organization’s desire to extend a similar lifeline to families affected by and struggling with disability.  The life preservers and lifelines in its logo come together to form a flower which is known as a symbol of thriving life.  LifeLine, Inc.’s intention is to help families thrive, not just survive.  It is also the organization’s hope to show forth Jesus, the only giver of eternal life, in everything it says or does.