JANUARY 2020 Newsletter

YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center: 100 Years of Opportunity
The year 2020 marks 100 years of the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center serving the East Knoxville community! We kicked off this year-long celebration with the 25th Annual YWCA Diversity Day and Race Against Racism earlier this month. 

The Story Goes... 
On Thanksgiving Day in 1920, the Phyllis Wheatley Center opened on East Vine Avenue to house six black women. Services included workforce development and trainings, while being the only housing option for single black women in the city.  
Click HERE to watch a WBIR-TV segment about the 
Phyllis Wheatley Center's 100 years.

... Over the past 100 years, the Phyllis Wheatley Center has been housed at five different locations before landing at its current location on Cruze Street in 1962. Despite the address changes, the mission has remained: meet the needs of the community. That is still the mission today. 
_______________________
Events will take place throughout the year to highlight this milestone accomplishment. Stay tuned!
If you or someone you know has a connection to the Phyllis Wheatley Center, please contact Karlyn Reel at 865-523-6126 and share your story! 
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 25th Annual Diversity Day and Race Against Racism!
County Commissioner Evelyn Gill
City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon
UTK Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Engagement Tyvi Small
A huge thank you to our staff, board, volunteers, sponsors, runners, walkers, booth-ers, performers and community for an amazing Diversity Day and Race Against Racism!
We have over 160 pictures from the event, take a look, and tag yourself with the link below. 
PHOTOS
Click HERE to see the race results and times.
Special thanks again to our Presenting Sponsor Lusid Media and 
our Peace Sponsor Radio Systems Corporation!

Oak Ridge High School "Purple-Out" on Feb. 4

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The Oak Ridge High School Counseling Department and Student Council are asking the community to wear purple and join them on February 4 at 7:30 PM for the ORHS basketball game against Karns High School.  
YWCA hosts a Coordinated Community Response Team in Anderson County, and we are proud to help ORHS raise awareness about teen dating violence. 

Client Needs

Having a cell phone is a necessity. Whether it's applying for a job or housing, having a working cell phone is one less barrier for those trying to start over.
We are in need of pre-paid cell phones and minutes for our Freedom Inside clients who have been released from incarceration. If you are interested in donating, please contact Ally Johnson at 865-523-6126.
WISH LISTS


Honoring Dr. King's Legacy

Our staff and youth from the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center bundled up to participate in the annual MLK Parade on January 20! 
It's our pleasure to be a part of all of the MLK Commission events each year! 

Thank you, Partners! 

The staff at Partners Development collected $2,100 for our Keys of Hope Women's Housing Program residents. These funds will purchase bus passes, Uber rides, food, and many other needed items for our residents. Thank you to everyone at Partners!  


Join the YWCA Team!

We have opportunities available in Knox and Anderson counties to join the YWCA Knoxville and Tennessee Valley team. Check them out below. 
JOIN US
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
420 West Clinch Ave
Knoxville, TN | 37902 US
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.