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