July 2021 Newsletter

Meet the 2021 Tribute to Women Honorees!

You might be thinking: "Did I miss the Tribute to Women event?"
We have some exciting news! Mark your calendars to join us for the 36th Annual Tribute to Women on Thursday, September 9 at the Mill and Mine! This year's event, presented by Home Federal Bank, features a new venue and a new format -- a celebration of these seven remarkable women below.  
Meet the 2021 YWCA Tribute to Women Honorees:
Top row (L-R): Rosalind Martin, Director of Education at Knoxville Museum of Art, Keira Wyatt, Founder and Director of C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Ministries and Imani Mfalme-Shula, Lead Organizer at Community Defense of East Tennessee
Bottom row (L-R): Dr. Amy Elliott, Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Kirby Deal, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley and Jackie Holloway, Executive Director of Canvas Can Do Miracles (Not pictured: Gwen McKenzie, Executive Director of Legacy Housing Foundation) 
More information will be shared about each of this year's Honorees in the coming weeks. There are numerous ways to show your support for these outstanding women; here are a few ideas: 
  • Give them a social media shout out with a special message! Be sure to tag @YWCAknoxville on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. 
  • Support an Honoree by purchasing a congratulatory advertisement in this year's commemorative program book. 
  • Show your support by sponsoring the event in celebration of one of the Honorees! Sponsorships are available at numerous investment levels and can be tailored to meet your needs. 
SUPPORT

YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center Vaccine Clinic Success

We are so grateful for the work done by Cynthia Finch and the Faith Leaders Church Initiative to make COVID-19 vaccines available for all! Last week, the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center hosted a vaccine clinic focused on youth 12 years old and older and it was a success! Thank you to all of the volunteers who participated and made this event possible. A second clinic will be held on Wednesday, July 28 at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center and is open to all community members.  Call 865-254-4793 to find out where you can get your vaccine! 

A Special Gift for Keys of Hope Women's Program Clients

This week, YWCA Keys of Hope Women's Program clients were gifted a shopping trip to Kohl's by our dear friend and supporter, Janet Lawson! Each of the 58 women in our program were provided with a gift card and transportation to Kohl's, to pick our items meaningful to them. Some ladies bought gifts for their loved ones, some bought new non-slip sneakers for work, and others purchased items that would make their time at the YWCA a little more comfortable. We are so grateful for Janet, and donors like her, who provide hope to the clients we serve. 

Youth Violence Prevention and YWCA

With support from the City of Knoxville's Summer Youth Violence Prevention Pilot, YWCA is pleased to continue our successful Reach Program at the Phyllis Wheatley Center, with weekly stipends of $150 per week this summer for our Reach Interns. 
The Reach Program is a ten-week incentivized internship opportunity for high school boys and girls that has been led by YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center staff since 2015. Reach Interns learn the soft skills needed to seek, apply and land future jobs! Interns also network with local business owners, complete community service, and so much more! 

YWCA Victims Advocates Complete "Safe Bar Collective" Training 

YWCA's Knox County Victim Advocacy Program Coordinator, Marian Billingsley, completed the Safe Bar Collective "train the trainer" event co-led by the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee and the Knox County Health Department last week. This group will soon provide training that will equip local bar and restaurant staff on how to safely intervene when they witness a potentially dangerous situation.


YWCA is thankful to be a part of this team that is working to make our community safer for all! 

New Roles and New Faces at YWCA

Congratulations and welcome to these YWCA team members!
Congratulations to Emma Eidson for her new role as the Justice for Families Program Coordinator in Oak Ridge/Anderson County!
Welcome Marina Taylor as YWCA's Director of Development!
Congratulations to Latoya Shephard for her new role as the Anderson County Victim Advocacy Program Coordinator! 

City Council Candidate Forum at Phyllis Wheatley Center

Mark your calendar to join us on Thursday, July 29 at 6:30 PM.
This in-person City Council Candidate Forum is an opportunity for our community to hear directly from candidates in each district. Thank you to the League of Women Voters Knoxville/Knox County for organizing this event!  **Masks will be required for entry into this event.**

Tennessee Smokies Highlighting YWCA

Join us on Sunday, July 18 at the Tennessee Smokies game as the Smokies highlight YWCA's programs and services. Participate in a fun raffle, with proceeds benefitting YWCA.
We will also have an informational booth set up; come visit us! 
TICKETS

We Are Hiring! 

YWCA is seeking energetic individuals to join our team. Some of our open positions include:  
  • Assistant Director of the Phyllis Wheatley Center
  • Grants Coordinator
  • Knox County Advocate and Liaison to DCS 
  • Youth Trauma Support Coordinator
  • 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.
Special thank you to this group of Ignite Volunteers from the University of Tennessee who spent time at our Downtown facility cleaning and organizing!

Call for Volunteers

Are you interested in getting more involved with the YWCA? Volunteers make an incredible impact in our agency. 
  • Do you enjoy being outside or have a green thumb? Volunteer to serve in our Community Garden or help freshen up our landscaping.
  • Have a special interest such as arts and crafts, technology, or reading? Host a class for our youth at the Phyllis Wheatley Center or with our women in the Keys of Hope Women's Program.
To learn more about how to become a volunteer, please contact Development Coordinator Gracie Herbert at gherbert@ywcaknox.com. 
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Knoxville, TN | 37902 US
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