Helping Hand: Martha Dixon helps those in need get back on their feet

What started as a request for assistance has turned into a 35-year career for Martha Dixon. The 64-year-old Kingsport native is the community services manager for the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency. The non-profit helps people across eight East Tennessee counties overcome poverty and become self-sufficient. Those counties are Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. Dixon first connected with the agency in 1991 as a client, enrolling her 4-year-old daughter in Head Start, a preschool program for low-income families and their children. "I came here looking to get her what she needed to get a good education," Dixon said. Within a few months of her daughter joining Head Start, the agency asked Dixon to volunteer in the classroom. "I was thrilled to death, but very, very nervous, but it was such a good experience." Soon thereafter, Dixon found herself and her daughter in a tough situation. "We were homeless and in a domestic violence shelter." Head Start members stepped up and helped Dixon navigate what she needed. She discovered Head Start had a job available. Dixon applied and was hired. The scary part at that time, Dixon said, is that she lacked job skills. "I didn't even have a support system that I could lean on," she said. "And that Head Start family became my family to walk with me through that." Roughly a year later, the Head Start director approached Dixon about continuing her education. Dixon balked, saying she was not smart enough. "I will never forget the day she shook her finger in my face and said, 'You're going to school.'" Those words helped change Dixon's life. She enrolled in college and graduated. She worked for Head Start for 19 years before moving to the Community Services' arm of UETHDA. Community Services Community Services assists low-income families, helping people with such things as paying their rent or buying gas to get to work. "How are you going get there if you don't have gas?" Dixon asked. The current need for assistance is great, Dixon said. "It's tough times, like I have never seen. I have been doing this a long, long time." Shortage of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families is an area of concern. Dixon said rents have tripled since the Covid pandemic. "People were paying $450, $500 rent," she said. "Now, it's $1,500." Dixon said jobs are getting harder to find. "People are wanting to work, it's just hard to find a job and when you do, you need a couple of jobs to survive in this economy." Dixon said the agency offers a career resources program that assists people struggling to find employment. Additionally, they help people who may find themselves in a circumstance that could result in job termination if the situation is not resolved. She said most people UETHDA assists are good, hard-working individuals who experience a life event that places them in a crisis where they cannot pay the rent or an electric bill. Drew Deakins is UETHDA's marketing and development director. "Martha's leadership at the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency shows her strong commitment to helping people overcome challenges and build better lives," he said. "Her work makes a real difference in our community every day." Dixon measures her success in the growth and accomplishments of those she helps. "When others thrive, you know you have succeeded at your job," she said. "I am here because of others and giving back like I was given to is my purpose," she said. "If it had not been for the Lord that was on my side ... Where would I be?" Word On The Street Watch Rob Walters' Word On The Street interview with Martha Dixon and learn more about UETHDA. About UETHDA The organization is a designated 501(c)(3) and donations are tax deductible. The mission of UETHDA is to secure basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, utilities and other emergency items for those in need. The agency offers the following: Neighborhood Services that include housing assistance, education, self-sufficiency, employment, health and income management. LIHEAP assists those who need assistance with utility expenses.Income Management to help people meet their financial goals by increasing their knowledge, skills and resources. Head Start promotes school readiness for children, ages 3 and 4. Weatherization – works with the US Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program to reduce energy costs for low-income households. Education Program provides financial aid to those wanting to attend school or continue their education. This includes the dual enrollment of high school students. Learn more about UETHDA at https://uethda.org/