Eight local organizations that received grant funding from the City of Knoxville Community Safety office are providing activities and opportunities to local youth during National Youth Violence Prevention Week, April 24-30, 2022. 

“Violence of all kinds has a major impact on youth,” says Community Safety Director LaKenya Middlebrook. “Next week, when violence prevention is receiving national attention, is a prime opportunity to show Knoxville’s young people that we are working together to help them to thrive.” 

City Council approved $23,070 from the Community Safety department budget to be allocated to the Youth Violence Prevention Week Micro Grants Program. Organizations that received grants are: Girls, Inc., Muse Knoxville, YWCA Knoxville and The TN Valley, Karate Five Association, My Daughter’s Journey, Shora Foundation, The Bottom, and Forget You Not. 

Public events and activities include: 

• An interfaith prayer vigil, hosted by the Knoxville Branch of the NAACP

• After-school block party at Walter Hardy Park and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, hosted by the Phyllis Wheatley Center

• Skate night free for kids 18 and under, hosted by the Change Center 

• Once Upon a Muse Storytelling performance by the River and Rail Theatre Group, hosted by The Muse Knoxville

• Book fair, storytime and writing workshop, hosted by The Bottom 

• Kickball with former UT and NFL player Curt Maggitt and Friends Invitational Kickball Tournament at Ridley Helton Baseball Field

Additional grant participants will provide violence-prevention activities for the young people they serve in existing programs. 

Youth Violence Prevention Week events that received supported from the City are listed at www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/YVPW.

For additional information about the City Office of Community Safety, visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/CommunitySafety.