city of knoxville –save our sons initiative presentation ...• engagement between kpd and youth...

City of Knoxville Save Our Sons Initiative

Community Conversations Report Out

Dr. Avice Evans Reid- Community Relations Director Kevin A. Perry – Community Outreach Manager

Tatia M. Harris – Grant Manager/Title VI Coordinator

June 27, 2019

Agenda

• Welcome • SOS Overview • Report Out/Discussion • Discussion • Call to Action/Wrap up

The Need For Save Our Sons – Historical Context

• Cities United Conference • Knoxville’s Crime Statistics • Mayor’s SOS Summit • Mayor’s 1st Sons Summit

SOS Initiative Strategies Increase: • Youth employment opportunities • Youth educational opportunities • Engagement between KPD and youth • Safe gathering places for youth • Community’s perception of safety • Diversion programs for “at risk” youth

Mini-grant Opportunities (2017-18) 25 Organizations attended the Invitation for

Proposals on February 3, 2017 13 organizations submitted proposals 6 organizations were awarded mini-grants

totaling $93,600 2 of those programs are now self-sustaining and

have expanded

SOS Initiative Highlights Partnered with: Discovery Lab Global Knoxville Leadership Foundation Five Points Up

SOS Initiative Highlights Partnered with: Vine Middle School YWCA (Phyllis Wheatley YWCA) Eternal Life Harvest and World United

Ministries

SOS Initiative Highlights Have hosted annual “Sons Summits” since

2016 oMotivational speakers oStrategies for success through workshops

SOS Initiative Highlights Conduct annual “Positive Engagement with

Law Enforcement Workshops” o Partnered with Knoxville Police Department, City

of Knoxville Police Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) and Knox County District Attorney’s Office

o Establish transparency, mutual understanding and trust between young men of color and law enforcement

SOS Jobs Initiative Partnered with KCDC and The State of

Tennessee’s Mobile Career Coach to host a series of job fairs at KCDC Public Housing Sites Developed a survey and campaign strategy

with SEEED to knock on 1,000 doors in targeted area Analyzed data collected and revamped future

job fairs

SOS Jobs Initiative The Revamped Job Fair Results: oConducted 2 Job Fairs with over 25

companies and over 260 attendees. oHosted 2 Ex-Offender Job Fair Job Fairs. oPartnered with UT College of Law and The

Public Defender’s Office to offer record expungements during job fairs – 50 people had 210 records expunged.

Change Center Jobs Initiative

Mayor’s Save Our Sons Partner Roundtable

Formed the Mayor’s Save Our Sons Partner Roundtable Foster collaboration among youth-serving

organizations Support Boys and Young Men of Color on a

pathway to success


Formed Focus Groups to share activities and recommendations for collaborations in the following areas:

oMental Health oEducation oWorkforce Development oDrug Prevention


Focus Groups collaborate and provide solutions using the following criteria:

oDoes the recommendation meet the vision/mission? oIs it fundable? oWho are the suggested funding partners

(City, Philanthropic Foundations, Businesses, etc.) oCan the recommendation be sustained

through collaborations between partners?

Community Conversations

Conducted three Community Conversations to hear citizen voices oVine Middle School – July 2018 oWesley House – August 2018 o South Knoxville Community Center –

September 2018

Community Conversations

The following questions were asked: o What do you consider a thriving community? o What are some good things in the community? Your

neighborhood? o Who are some people, agencies, organizations doing good

things in the community? o Does your neighborhood have good relations with law

enforcement?

Community Conversations oWhat makes you feel safe? oWhat programs, Practices policies

contribute to a thriving community? oWhat role does government play in the

creation of a thriving community? oWhat role do Non-Profits, Faith Community,

Business Community, Law Enforcement play in a thriving community?

Community Conversation Report Out

Current Strategies

Leveraging Relationships oHomelessness oHousing oWorkforce oDepartment of Corrections oEducation/Early Literacy oYouth Serving Organizations

Current Strategies

Elevating Youth Voices Diversity/Inclusion/Welcoming City and

Workplaces Building Community- Police Relationships Engaging Community/Citizens in the work

Call To Action

Working together to create safe, healthy, happy, thriving communities requires community connections and collaborations. o Volunteer o Attend Public Meetings/City Council Meetings o Join Neighborhood Organizations o Engage your organization in Youth Violence

Prevention Work

city of knoxville –save our sons initiative presentation ...• engagement between kpd and youth...

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