The Office of Community Safety was created in August 2021 with Mayor Indya Kincannon appointing LaKenya Middlebrook as the City’s first-ever Director of Community Safety.
Middlebrook and her office leads violence interruption strategies, coordinates safety innovation and collaboration among City Departments, and enhances partnerships with on-the-ground
people and organizations who are working to make Knoxville safer.
Middlebrook has standing bi-weekly meetings with Mayor Kincannon and Chief Paul Noel, regularly scheduled meetings with the full cabinet, works closely with the City’s Community Empowerment Department and coordinates resources with others on the front lines working to keep our neighborhoods safe.
CURRENT CITY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Local organizations working to interrupt violence in Knoxville are invited to apply for grant funding now available through the City of Knoxville Office of Community Safety.
Opportunity Youth Engagement Grant
Spring / Summer / Fall 2024
• Deadline at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
• Informational Zoom meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at 12 p.m.
Youth Violence Prevention Week Micro-Grant
• Deadline at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
CITY GRANT IMPACT REPORTS
2024 Youth Violence Prevention Week Report [PDF]
Our Youth Violence Prevention Week Micro-Grants program supports
community partners offering programming focused on elevating youth
violence prevention and equipping community members to engage in the
work. Youth Violence Prevention Week 2024 activities included sports/
recreation, resources sharing, workshops, focus groups, community
building and so much more. While activities vary from year to year, our
goal remains the same: to encourage, equip, and empower our Knoxville
community to continuously advocate and work towards reducing youth
violence.
2023 Summer Break Opportunity Youth Grants Impact Report [PDF]
2023 Spring Break Opportunity Youth Grants Impact Report [PDF]
2022 Spring Break & Summer Opportunity Youth Grants Impact Report [PDF]
2022 Youth Violence Prevention Week Grant Impact Report [PDF