At its meeting Feb. 22, 2022, City Council approved $27,647.98 in funding for 10 local organizations to provide spring break opportunities for young people who are at risk of violence. 

“Young people with a history of experiencing violence are more likely to be involved with violence, particularly when they are not at school or working,” says the City’s Director of Community Safety LaKenya Middlebrook. “Our efforts to reduce violence in our community go hand in hand with supporting safe opportunities for our young people.” 

During Knox County Schools’ Spring Break (March 14-18), grant-funded programs will engage young people ages 12 to 21 who are at highest risk of becoming victims of, or committing, violent crime due to past experiences, including involvement with the justice system or having an incarcerated parent. 

Recipients receiving funding are:

Karate Five Association
Gold Key Access
Muse Knoxville
SEEED Knox
My Daughter’s Journey
YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley
The Bottom
Canvas Can Do Miracles
MYNARK Tribe
Emerald Youth Foundation

Each organization will receive between $2,000 and $3,000 to provide participants with wages, training, materials, supplies, etc. Activities include art workshops and projects, college- and career-readiness workshops, college tours, community service projects, community building, event planning and gardening. 

The grants are part of the Mayor’s 2021 emergency allocation of $1 million toward violence interruption and prevention activities. 

Established by Mayor Indya Kincannon in August 2021, the Community Safety Department leads violence-interruption strategies, coordinates safety innovation and collaboration among City departments—including Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department and Community Empowerment—and enhances partnerships with on-the-ground people and organizations who are working to make Knoxville safer. 

For more information, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/CommunitySafety.