YWCA's Keys of Hope Luncheon is right around the corner! Will you join us? This annual luncheon takes place on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at the Knoxville Convention Center, beginning at 11:30am and concludes by 1:00pm. Individual seats and tables of ten are available for purchase today, just click here!

YWCA’s Keys of Hope Luncheon exists to support the essential Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Program for Women which provides safe, affordable housing for 58 women in downtown Knoxville for up to two years. 24-hour staff provide support and monthly programming for women to encourage goal planning, career advancement, self-care, budgeting, and permanent housing. In 2021, the YWCA housed 130 women and received over 2,000 calls for housing. The need is overwhelming! 

Funds raised through this event support life-changing programs that empower victims of domestic violence; provide a safe, nurturing environment for our most at-risk youth; encourage boys and men to prevent violence against women; and provide safe, affordable housing to women and their families, in Knoxville and throughout the Tennessee Valley. Space is limited so be sure to reserve yours today! We hope to see you there! 

YWCA's GameChangers can't be stopped! This past month, our team visited with Michael Yates, Director of Development at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services, to highlight GameChangers for their monthly podcast. This incredible conversation covered program highlights and GameChangers movement into Anderson County. Give it a listen by clicking here. Later in the month, GameChangers Senior Mentor Coordinator, Kendrick Tate, and Volunteer Mentor, Chris Weathers, celebrated National Mentoring Month by meeting with WBIR Channel 10 to explain the importance of their work and getting involved in the community. You can watch the full story here. Lastly, the GameChangers team wrapped up their February media blitz this past week by checking in with WATE 6 On Your Side to give more insight into why GameChangers does the work we do! Check out their coverage here. Be sure to follow @YWCAGameChangers on Facebook and Instagram to stay update on how we continue to change the game!

In celebration of Valentine's Day, YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center held a "Be Kind" party for students on February 13th. This celebration was a hit due in large part to the generous support of our community. Students were given beautiful roses, played games, ate sweets, and received free hair cuts from local barbers. Take a look at the excitement below! 

Community volunteers have been out in full force at the Phyllis Wheatley Center.  The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority made strides in the beautification of the Center and prepping the building for another day of serving students. Additionally, UTK student volunteers came by ready to work! These VOLunteers completely transformed PWC before our Be Kind party by creating a photo wall, cleaning up activity rooms, and organizing all our storage closets. We are so grateful to have such incredible support from the community. Thank you to all our volunteers for their time and commitment to the YWCA!