December 2021 Newsletter

Diversity Day and the Race Against Racism is Right Around the Corner!

Have you registered yet for YWCA's 26th Annual Diversity Day and Race Against Racism? Join us on Saturday, January 15th at the Phyllis Wheatley Center for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating diversity. Activities include 1-mile walk, certified 5K, kids fun run, community resource booths, and more! Click here to register today and support YWCA's mission to eliminate racism and empower women!

Studio Four Design delivers a Thanksgiving feast to YWCA's Keys of Hope Women's Program

Holiday Giving

Each year, through the support of community partners and generous donations, YWCA is able to ensure the clients and families we serve can enjoy a holiday meal. Our neighbors at Studio Four Designs provided Thanksgiving meals to each client in our Keys of Hope Women's Program. 

Students wrote thank you messages for our generous donors!

VFL Curt Maggitt and friends rallied together to pay for Thanksgiving turkeys for our Phyllis Wheatley families! Thank you to these generous donors and the gifts of many more! Your support is incredible!

You can still get involved this holiday season! Contact Ally Slavick, Director of Communications, to learn more about how you can help!

Justice for the Jones Family

The Jones* family began visits at YWCA's Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center in Anderson County in October. Mrs. Jones was granted an order of protection after working with an advocate in YWCA's Victim Advocacy Program. At the hearing, Mr. Jones was granted supervised visitation with his 4 children. He had not seen his children since August 2021. Through services provided by the Justice for Families program, the Jones children have been able to visit their father twice a week, every week since the beginning of October. They have dinner together at the beginning of each visit, and then spend time together playing pool on the game table, having Mario Kart tournaments, and playing board games as a family. Mrs. Jones continues to receive supportive guidance and services for herself and her family from her YWCA advocate.

*Client's names have been changed to protect her privacy.

Cecily's Success

In August 2021, after having her apartment door kicked in by her ex-boyfriend, Cecily* visited the Anderson County Family Justice Center. With the assistance of her YWCA advocate, the Family Justice Center, and Oak Ridge Police Department, Cecily was able to file a police report, receive a referral to Legal Aid, and file an Order of Protection. Although the ex-parte for her Order of Protection was granted, law enforcement was unable to locate her ex-boyfriend to serve him.

In December, Cecily returned to her advocate stating that her abuser had been stalking and harassing her. Most recently, he broke into her home and was hiding in her closet. While Cecily and her daughter were asleep, he tried to sneak out, but Cecily woke up and saw him. She asked him to leave and he refused. With the resources provided by her YWCA advocate at the Family Justice Center, Cecily filed a new police report and received a new Order of Protection. Within days the local police department found him in her apartment complex and was able to make an arrest.

Cecily reports that the help she received was invaluable to her. She states that for the first time in months she feels comfortable sleeping, with the knowledge that she and her daughter are safe.

*Client's name has been changed to protect her privacy.

It's All A's for Phyllis Wheatley Center Students!

Vine Middle School students worked hard at the Phyllis Wheatley Center on a recent history class project. With the encouragement of staff, students researched and created posters, each covering a historical figure. By utilizing the Center's printer and craft supplies, each student was able to complete their project- AND each child received an “A"! Join us in congratulating our students on their hard work!

We Are Hiring!

YWCA is seeking energetic individuals to join our team. Some of our open positions include:

Director of Finance
Director of Communications
Knox County Victim Advocacy Program Coordinator
Keys of Hope Program Coordinator
Administrative Coordinator (Temporary)
GameChangers Mentor Coordinator
After-School Enrichment Program Counselors (Part-Time)
Evening/Weekend Lifeguard
Front Desk, PRN

See the descriptions and applications on our Careers Page.

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Knoxville, TN | 37902 US

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