Employees of Knoxville's Community Development Corporation served as facilitators for a workshop-style discussion to identify key resources and agencies in the Five Points community at Walter P. Taylor Boys and Girls Club on May 3.

About 50 residents and stakeholders participated in the Five Points Forum that focused on education; health and safety; and employment resources. The discussion highlighted agencies and resources already available in the community. The session also revealed needs not currently being met and brainstormed possible solutions for these problems.

City Community Development Director Becky Wade began the program by reaffirming the City of Knoxville's support for the Five Points revitalization project. The city of Knoxville is providing $800,000 annually for continued activity to improve the Five Points community. Over a 10-year period, the city of Knoxville will allocate a total of $8 million to Five Points.

Former Knoxville mayor and 6th district city councilman Daniel Brown introduced the session. Brown attended Eastport Elementary School, Vine Middle School and Austin High School in the Five Points neighborhood and is also the city councilman for the district.

"The city of Knoxville and KCDC are committed to bringing change to Five Points," Brown said. "There is great potential here, but we all need to come to the table and work together if we are going to impact this neighborhood."

Attendees of the meeting were divided into five discussion groups to identify key resources available to Five Points residents and brainstorm ways to meet immediate needs. Major challenges revealed in the meeting included transportation to health care and education, a lack of parental involvement and difficulty in finding employment.

In addition to brainstorming solutions to these problems, the forum increased awareness for resources and agencies already in the community, such as after-school programs, church-based aid, adult education programs, health clinics, food pantries and job training.

In coming months, KCDC will continue to facilitate public meetings and workshops to engage residents, community stakeholders and the public in the Five Points redevelopment process. The next meeting will be held in July.

KCDC is the housing authority and redevelopment agency for Knoxville. Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. For more information, visit http://www.kcdc.org.