YouthWORKS is a Summer Employment program for low-income youth, for more information please see below under "Workforce Connections."

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS
Neighborhood centers are heavily engaged with local agencies and churches to leverage resources to meet vital needs of low income families. They provide emergency services, case management, information and referral for limited income people linking them with a broad range of social services. Special emphasis within the centers helps individuals to become self-sufficient.

TAX PREPARATION
2247 Western Ave., 546-3500, Fax: 546-0832
Email: sue.campbell@knoxcac.org



COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
2247 Western Ave., 546-3500, Fax: 546-0832, Email: communityleadership@knoxcac.org
A CAC sponsored leadership training program for individuals who live, work
or volunteer in moderate income neighborhoods and who have demonstrated community commitment through service. These classes strengthen leadership at grassroots levels and challenge individuals to get involved. If you are interested in participating, classes begin each fall. We accept applications year round. Click here to get to the application link.

AMERICORPS
2247 Western Ave., 546-3500, Fax: 546-0832
Email: john.harris@knoxcac.org
A national service program, “the Peace Corps at Home,” that utilizes a local corps of working volunteers who commit to a year of service building communities and solving problems. Open to individuals 17 yrs. old and older. Members earn a monthly stipend, health insurance and an educational award of $4,725 for tuition and/or student loan repayments. Community service areas are: environmental education, water quality improvement and recycling of waste; urban agriculture, and growing fresh, safe, and nutritious food.

HEAD START
Administrative offices at 2400 Piedmont, 522-2193, Fax: 522-2338
Email: kkchs@comcast.net
HEAD START is a comprehensive preschool program for low income children and their families. Head Start provides children, including those with special needs, with services that actively encourage and promote social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth and development. Head Start fosters good health through current immunizations, physical and dental exams, and treatment. Parents have a variety of opportunities to participate in their child’s education from volunteering to becoming employed at a center. Support services to families include social services, mental health services, and transportation as needed. See our program brochure.

EARLY HEAD START is an extension of Head Start services for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers serving North Knoxville families (temporarily located at the East II Center).

OFFICE ON AGING
2247 Western Ave., 524-2786, Fax: 546-0832

OFFICE ON AGING
Read our Annual Report
2247 Western Ave., 524-2786, Fax: 546-0832 The Office on Aging provides a wide variety of services and information for senior citizens and the family members and professionals who provide care or services for seniors. The office also develops new resources and coordinates existing ones to provide the best possible quality of life for seniors in the community. Among the information resources of the Office on Aging are Elder News and Views, a free newsletter with current news of interest to seniors, and the Senior Service Directory, a comprehensive resource guide to services for Knoxville and Knox County seniors.

AFFORDABLE MEDICINE OPTIONS FOR SENIORS (AMOS) - An information and individual advising service on ways to reduce prescription drug costs through free medicine programs, Medicare, discounts, and governmental programs.

COMPUTERS FOR HOMEBOUND AND ISOLATED PERSONS (CHIPS) - Provides donated computers for homebound and isolated persons; provides training, as available, to teach recipients how to use e-mail and the Internet to connect with people and resources.

DAILY LIVING CENTER -
Christenberry Heights, 3900 Probus Road, 689-8412
A licensed adult day care program administered by the O'Connor Senior Center.
Free or minimal cost for income eligible seniors age 60 years and older.

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM see Senior Corps listing below.

GIFT OF SIGHT, HEARING & DENTURES - Administrated by Senior Citizens Information and Referral Service to offer - through a revolving loan fund - exams, glasses, hearing aids and dentures for persons who cannot afford to urchase them. Hearing aids and glasses are provided for persons age 50 and older, dentures for persons age 60 and older.

GRANDPARENTS AS PARENTS PROGRAM - Provides support sessions and information for grandparents who are raising grandchildren without a parent in the home. Recruits, trains, and assigns volunteer advocates to accompany grandparents during Juvenile Court custody hearings and school IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting. No age or income restrictions. Monthly information/support meetings and referrals to community resources are available.
To donate

MOBILE AFFORDABLE MEALS SERVICE (MAMS) - Provides hot, home-delivered noon meals Monday through Friday, $3.50 a meal, plus a $2.50 delivery charge for a total of $6.00 per day. This program is for persons of any age recovering from illness, injury, hospitalization, or who need meals for any reason. Twenty-four (24) hour notice. Cold supper and breakfast available for additional fee.

KNOX COUNTY CAC TRANSIT
2247 Western Avenue, 524-0319, Fax: 546-0832
Provides limited transportation to people of all ages within Knox County who have no other means to get to medical appointments, shopping, employment, and other essential services. Sliding scale fares. Also furnishes transportation on contract for the Office on Aging, Senior Nutrition Program, O’Connor Senior Center, and other nonprofit agencies.

Knox PAWS (Placing Animals with Seniors) - A joint partnership of the Knox County Office on Aging and Young-Williams Animal Center. Phone: 546.6262. The program places adoptable animals from the animal center with low-income seniors (ages 60-plus) who live in pet-friendly environments in Knox County. Project LIVE works with the seniors to see that a suitable match is made.

O’CONNOR SENIOR CENTER

CURRENT CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AT O'CONNOR
611 Winona Street, 523-1135, Fax: 523-7869
Provides programming in recreation, health, physical fitness, and education for residents of Knox County, ages 55+. No membership fee. Some classes have a small fee to cover costs. A staff R.N. provides healthcare screenings, education, and referrals. The O'Connor Center also manages the Daily Living Center. Program schedules are in the Elder News & Views and in “Weekly Update,” in the Sunday News-Sentinel. Hours are Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with evening and weekend hours for special events, including dances each weekend.

PROJECT LIVE (Living Independently through Volunteer Efforts) - Social worker assessment and care management. Minor home repairs provided by volunteers. Provides family support for caregivers of senior adults. Coordinates the placement of pets through Knox PAWS (Placing Animals With Seniors). Coordinates CHIPS (Computers for Homebound and Isolated Persons). No fees, but contributions are accepted; here's how.

RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) ...see Senior Corps listing.

SENIOR CITIZENS INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE (SCIRS)
611 Winona Street, 546-6262, Fax: 523-7869 - Links the senior citizen population, 60 years and older seniors and persons with disabilities, with the appropriate community service or agency providing assistance in the areas of health, nutrition, housing, employment, recreation, transportation, legal services, emergency aid,financial aid, in-home services, minor home repair, etc. These services are provided to area civic groups, social services agencies, church groups and families of the disabled and older citizens of Knoxville/Knox County. SCIRS administers the Gift of Sight, Hearing & Dentures program.

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM see Senior Corps listing below.

SENIOR CORPS: Seniors contribute their skills, knowledge, and experience which makes a meaningful difference to individuals, nonprofits, and faith-based and other community organizations in our area. Knox County seniors join with thousands of seniors nationwide who serve others through their local Foster Grandparents, Retired Senior Volunteers and Senior Companion Programs.
See Senior Corps Volunteer Celebration photos!

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM - Coordinates the assignment of volunteers (60 years old or older) to serve 20 hours weekly in programs for children in the Knox County area. Volunteers who meet income guidelines receive a stipend, travel reimbursement, a daily meal, insurance, and training.

RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) - Places persons age 55 years and older, with organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in the community.
Customize your own volunteer opportunity by working with RSVP using your unique gifts and talents

See existing volunteer openings

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM - Volunteers, age 60 and older, provide 20 hours a week of friendly companionship, respite and light housekeeping for adult homebound clients with special needs. Volunteers who meet income guidelines receive a stipend, travel reimbursement, a daily meal, insurance, annual physical, and training.

SENIOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES – Regularly scheduled workshops provide job search training and assistance for job seekers age 50 and older. Individualized job counseling is available.

SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM - Provides midday meals (Monday-Friday) for senior citizens at community congregate locations. no income restrictions, no charge for meals, but contributions are requested. Night and weekend meals may be purchased.
Congregate meals - dining rooms located in senior apartment complexes and centers.
Mobile Meals - delivered to homes throughout Knox County by volunteers. Seniors (age 60-plus) must be unable to prepare meals for themselves and have no one to cook for them. To donate

VOLUNTEER ASSISTED TRANSPORTATION - Provides accessible and affordable transportation to Knox County seniors and persons with disabilities who require assistance to travel safely. Transportation is provided by screened and trained volunteer drivers in agency-owned vehicles. Volunteers provide reasonable, non-medical assistance to riders throughout their trips. Riders may request transportation and assistance to medical appointments, shopping, essential errands, as well as social and recreational trips. Ride availability is based on volunteer driver availiability. In-county fare: $3.00 one-way or $6.00 roundtrip. Out of county fares will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Sliding scale fares availiable. Donations accepted. Application required to determine rider eligibility.

ENERGY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
2247 Western Avenue, 37921, 637-6700, Fax: 637-2953
LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) provides low income families with energy assistance. The program operates three components: regular energy assistance or crisis prevention; crisis assistance-utility bill pay or delivery of home heating to prevent disconnection of services or depletion of home delivered fuel; and installation of 5000BTU air conditioners for individuals with medical conditions that are aggravated by summer heat and humidity. In addition, PROJECT HELP, a crisis intervention energy program and LOCAL HEAT RELIEF are coordinated through this office. To provide heat in the winter or air in the summer for the elderly and/or disabled...

WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM aims at securing long term savings for low income homeowners and renters by weatherizing their homes to reduce energy consumption, and thereby, reducing the home owner’s utility bills.

HOUSING REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
2247 Western Avenue (Lower Level), 244-3080, Fax: 544-1647 PACE-10 637-9073

HOME REPAIR PROGRAM is a county-wide program that provides minor home repairs in cooperation with the City of Knoxville and Knox County community development programs. This service enables people to stay in their homes and to remain independent.

PACE-10 RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM is a KUB funded grant program and a voluntary
no-interest loan program to help low-income homeowners make lateral repairs.

Other programs under Housing Rehabilitation and Construction Services include Knox County Rehabilitation/Reconstruct Program and Knox County Septic/Water Program. Applicants must meet income and other eligibility requirements for all of these services.

HOMEWARD BOUND PROGRAMS
2247 Western Ave., 546-3500, Fax: 546-0832 or for local faxes only 637-9146
This department provides a variety of programs to assist the homeless achieve self-sufficiency. All programs offer comprehensive and integrated case management, outreach, crisis assistance, job, life, and basic skills training, GED preparedness, budget management, parenting classes, employability classes, housing placement and transportation assistance and other supportive services related to a customer’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency.
10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness

Excerpt from CAC Board Minutes, Dr. Nooe gives key facts on Homelessness in Knox County

Full report on Homelessness in Knoxville/Knox County--A 20 Year Perspective

EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM (ESG) - Links homeless people with resources to housing, employment, or job training.

FAMILIES IN NEED (FIN) - Provides homeless families with case management, comprehensive family development planning, supportive services, and life skills training to prepare for, and maintain permanent housing.

PROJECT SUCCEED - Provides job training, case management, life skills, and GED preparation to homeless individuals who reside in shelters, transitional housing, and halfway houses. Parenting, employability, and budget classes are taught on a weekly basis.

REACH (Resources Extended to Assist the Chronically Homeless) - A street outreach program providing case management, support services, life skill training, and housing assistance to the street homeless. flyer

STRANDED TRAVELERS - Travel Assistance to individuals who undergo various hardships that prevent them from returning home. Strick screening criteria.

THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
2247 Western Ave., 546-3500, Fax: 546-0832
This office maintains information on hunger and poverty in the community.
It coordinates with other programs and agencies to make more and better quality food available at lower prices to low-income families. It provides staff support for Emergency Food Helpers, and the Food Policy Council of the City of Knoxville. It coordinates the distribution of emergency food through the Food and Shelter Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

THE URBAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM:
BEARDSLEY COMMUNITY FARM is a community horticulture center, which grows fresh vegetables, fruit, and honey for the community. It is an education center for positive environmental and sustainable agriculture practices. http://www.beardsleyfarm.com

THE GREEN THUMB PROGRAM promotes home gardening and provides free vegetable seeds and plants to eligible gardeners in Knoxville and Knox County. The COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM encourages individuals and families to garden together in public housing developments and provides gardening assistance and nutrition education.

WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS
2247 Western Avenue; 544-5200; Fax 544-5269

Workforce Connections is taking applications now for the Summer Employment program, YouthWORKS. If you are between the ages of 14-24 years old, need a summer job and meet the income guidelines, please click here for more information. If you are an agency that would like to be a worksite for YouthWORKS, please click on the application here. Both applications can be filled out online and e-mailed to youthworks@knoxcac.org. Questions? Call 544-5200.

Workforce Connections and the LWIA 3 Workforce Investment Board request public comments on the 2009-2010 strategic plan for Local Workforce Investment Area 3 (Knox County). View by clicking here please. Please submit comments by March 30, 2009 to ensure inclusion in the report's submission to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Please email Vaughn Smith, Workforce Connections Director at vaughn.smith@knoxcac.org or Windie Wilson, Assistant Director of Workforce Connections at windie.wilson@knoxcac.org.

To read the Workforce Annual Report, click here.

WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS is responsible for the development and operation of a variety of programs focused on employment assistance and related training and support services. People may receive information and access to most of these services at the Tennessee Career Center. Additional services offered outside the Career Center system are also outlined below:

TENNESSEE CAREER CENTER at UNIVERSITY AVENUE
1610 University Avenue; 594-5500; Fax 594-6266

The Career Center is “where people and jobs connect.” Through the Career Center, anyone in the community, regardless of income, may access a variety of employment-related services. Individuals using the center can learn about employment opportunities in the community, how to assess their personal skills, update their resume, and/or participate in workshops designed to assist them in acquiring employment. Employers may post job openings, find important labor market information, and/or secure qualified job applicants through the center. Occupational skill training and other intensive services are provided for laid-off workers and low-income persons (youth and adults) who meet additional qualifications. The Career Center is operated by a partnership of community agencies, which provide a broad range of services and information about those services at the Career Center.
News You Can Use
Disability Monthly

-This project is under an agreement with the TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

The best jobs in Knox Co. through 2014
where the openings will be and the wages are better than average...

Excerpt from Dr. Matt Murray's research related to EDUCATIONAL LEVEL and ECONOMIC WELLBEING To learn more about Dr. Murray's research, visit http://bus.utk.edu/cber/staff/mnmurray.htm

L.T. ROSS LEARNING CENTER
2247 Western Ave.; 544-5200; Fax 544-5221
This Adult Education Center provides GED preparation, literacy level and basic skills upgrade in reading, math and grammar basic computer skills, and English for speakers of other languages. Anyone, ages 17 and older, interested in improving their academic skills are invited to participate. A non-traditional classroom approach incorporating life and work skills with academics is used. Teachers have an understanding of learning and other disability needs. Morning, afternoon and evening classes are offered.

KNOX SEAMLESS TRANSITION PROJECT
2247 Western Ave.; 544-5200; Fax 544-5269
The Knox County Seamless Transition Project is a community integration service that assists individuals with developmental disabilities to become fully included members of their community. This is done by navigating and creating networks of support with business and community members, in order to facilitate personalized job placements and equal access to community resources.

WIA YOUTH PROGRAM
2247 Western Avenue; 544-5200; Fax 544-5221
The Youth Program provides services to economically disadvantaged adolescents and young adults who are either in-school but at-risk for dropping out, or for those who have already dropped out but would like to improve their work and educational situation. The education component is primarily through a youth oriented GED program and by offering the opportunity to enter post-secondary training for those to whom it is appropriate. Case managers assess the individual needs and assist in providing resources to meet those needs. Focus is on improvement in work opportunities with workshops on work related topics, simulated work experience, paid internships and work experience. Life skills, leading to a successful transition into adulthood, are emphasized to help young people make positive changes in life developing and reaching their goals.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS
2247 Western Ave., 546-3500, Fax: 546-0832

USDA PROGRAMS: The COMMODITY PROGRAM distributes USDA surplus food to low-income families in Knox County. The SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM provides meals to children at a variety of sites within Knox County.

THE CHRISTMAS CLEARINGHOUSE coordinates agencies, organizations, and churches that wish to help families during the holiday season. The Clearinghouse works to eliminate duplication in order to serve as many needy families as possible. Applications for the News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund are taken by the Clearinghouse staff.

NEWS SENTINEL MILK FUND provides nutrition supplements to qualified individuals and to some agencies which serve low-income people. The program is supported by the readers of the News Sentinel.

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