The Rev. Daryl Arnold, pastor of Overcoming Believers Church, says Knoxville is creating a national model for building healthy relationships between its Police Department, the community and families.
Wednesday's free Back to School Family Night - co-sponsored by the City of Knoxville, the Police Department, Overcoming Believers Church and the Save Our Sons initiative - is the latest example of efforts to strengthen those relationships.
"We've got a lot of momentum," Arnold says. Wednesday night's free pizza "is a phenomenal opportunity to have fellowship."
Police officers, with their spouses and children, will be getting to better know Rev. Arnold's church members and their children, as well as other families in attendance.
"We have a really good relationship, and events like this help create trust," he says.
The event partners are hosting the free citywide back-to-school celebration for school-age youth and their families, starting at 9 p.m. and ending at midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Chuck E. Cheese, 8225 Kingston Pike. The three-hour lock-in includes free pizza, drinks and tokens. Space is limited, so get there early; the first 400 guests will be admitted.
Adults must accompany children to this event. No advance registration is required. For more information, call Overcoming Believers Church at 865-633-9050.
Back to School Family Night aims to warmly welcome youngsters and their families and cheerfully kick off the start of the school year. It’s also a continuation of the partnership – including the Knoxville Police Department, Overcoming Believers Church, the Mayor’s Office and SOS stakeholders – that is creating dialogue and strategies to ensure a safe, prosperous and healthy Knoxville for all its citizens.
To learn more about the City's Save Our Sons initiative, visit http://knoxvilletn.gov/saveoursons.