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Aug 23 2017

YWCA


For Gail*, the path to homelessness began at the age of 13. While in middle school, Gail and her group of friends began experimenting with drugs. Experimentation quickly developed into substance abuse and led to tension with her parents at home. Throughout the next three years, Gail made several attempts to run away and by the age of 16, she had permanently moved out.

Like so many others dealing with substance abuse issues, Gail was eventually arrested and served time in a correctional facility. When she was released, she once again found herself with nowhere to go and with no finances to support her. Without a home, Gail took temporary residence at a local mission. Gail worked various low-paying, short-term jobs in order to collect money, but financial shortcomings and transportation problems continued to plague Gail. Worried that she would fall back into substance abuse, Gail knew she needed to find stability in her new life. 

Gail found a housekeeping position at a hotel in Downtown Knoxville, but was no longer able to remain at the mission and could not afford an apartment of her own. That is when Gail found out about the Women’s Housing Program at the YWCA. The Women’s Housing Program (WHP) provides at-risk women with the affordable, safe, supportive, and focused environment necessary to address life-long problems and obstacles.  The WHP promotes financial stability and independence among homeless women and those at risk of homelessness through transitional housing and comprehensive services.  The only program of its kind in East Tennessee, the WHP houses 58 women at a time for a weekly fee of $60 for up to 24 months. 

The Women’s Housing Program turned Gail’s life around. Gail progressed in her job, developed financial management skills, and was named one of the top 5 employees in her department. The YWCA Staff shared that Gail’s cheerful attitude and desire to befriend other residents in need helped her to develop new, positive social skills without the use of drugs and alcohol. Gail has become a well loved figure throughout the YWCA. WHP provided Gail and other women like her with the opportunity to secure a future for themselves. With the help of WHP and their staff, Gail took essential steps toward self-sustainability. She is grateful for her time at WHP and confides that, “No matter what, there is someone at the YWCA to help you.”

Gail continued to progress in her new life and has successfully pursued home ownership and left the Women’s Housing Program. 

United Way of Greater Knoxville is proud to support programs like the YWCA’s Women’s Housing Program that make a difference for people in our community. At United Way, we fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community because we know that change doesn’t happen alone. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED.

*In order to maintain their anonymity, names in this Story of Impact have been changed.

Written by Brewton Couch · Categorized: Partner Agency, Story of Impact

YWCA

Ms. Rachel Haverkamp, Chief Executive Officer
420 West Clinch Avenue, SW
Knoxville, TN 37902‑2198
865-523‑6126
https://www.ywcaknox.com/

Educating Youth Program
The Educating Youth Program (EYP) is comprised of the Afterschool Enrichment Program (ASEP) offered to middle and high school students during the academic year, and the Summer Kids in Play Program (SKIPP) offered to elementary and middle school students for eight weeks during the summer months. Provided at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center in East Knoxville, EYP relies on mutually respectful relationships with high-risk students and families to encourage improvement and assist with positive outcomes. EYP focuses on the root causes of academic and behavioral problems and offers both short- and long-term creative solutions to serve young people.

Freedom Inside
Using evidence-based models, Freedom Inside (FI) works with women in the Knox County Detention Facility who have experienced domestic violence to provide pre-release mental health treatment, support groups, and release planning. Upon exit from jail, clients receive help transitioning, including ongoing case management and therapy, coordination of care, and tangible benefits like housing assistance and employment training. As a result, clients seek safety and stability, and are significantly less likely to be re-arrested compared to the regional recidivism average.

Health and Fitness – Club W
YWCA’s unique health and fitness program, Club W, meets high-risk, low-income clients where they are to provide holistic, easy-to-access health, fitness, and nutrition programming. Club W’s focus on individuals who lack the opportunity and self-esteem to access traditional fitness programming is evidence-based and tailored to meet the individualized needs of clients. Grounded in research about health disparities in socioeconomically challenged populations, Club W aims to create healthier individuals, connect clients to resources to meet their health needs, and empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding health and nutrition.

Keys of Hope Women’s Housing Program
YWCA’s Keys of Hope Women’s Program (KOH) provides an affordable, safe, supportive, and focused environment for at-risk women seeking to achieve independent living situations within the community. Through comprehensive programming and support services, KOH serves women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and those who have previously experienced homelessness due to financial instability, domestic violence, mental illness, disability, addiction, previous incarceration, and other life-long obstacles. The only program of its kind in East Tennessee, KOH can house up to 58 women at a time for a weekly fee of $60 for up to 24 months.

Supporting Youth Experiencing Trauma
YWCA’s Supporting Youth Experiencing Trauma (SYET) provides essential community-based trauma care for youth ages 9-15. Using a validated trauma screening tool and an evidence-based, best practice curriculum, YWCA as well as partner-organization youth who are screened in can participate in SYET’s 10-week program at no cost and youth whose trauma needs exceed the program’s capabilities are referred to appropriate mental health care and assisted to ensure effective treatment for every child screened. Youth who complete the program have fewer trauma-related symptoms and have overcome traumatic experiences to negotiate difficulties more effectively.

Victim Advocacy Program
YWCA’s Victim Advocacy Program (VAP) uses evidence-based approaches to advocate for victims of domestic violence, promote victim-friendly practices among helping professionals, educate the community about domestic violence (DV) dynamics and prevention strategies, and practice successful primary prevention techniques. VAP focuses on victim needs and safety through planning, court and community advocacy, referral services, psychoeducation, and a spectrum of programs that any victim in need can access. VAP’s community education and prevention strategies are focused on individuals who work collaterally with victims, community members who need resources, men, and boys.

 

“We’re a free, confidential service. I think that’s something that’s just amazing about our program. The victim’s biggest thing is safety – that’s what they’re searching for, and that’s what we provide.”

Catherine Jones, Domestic Violence Victims Advocate

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United Way of Greater Knoxville

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