KnoxWorks at TouchPointe Marriage & Family Resources
The Women United grant to
Touchpoint
was used to help individuals in recovery to become self-sufficient. Funds were only used if the "neighbor" (a term for individuals participating in KnoxWorks) attended KnoxWorks in addition to other selection criteria including motivation and participation level. The program administrator provided a little bit of background information for each individual who received assistance through the grant.
Neighber #1 had 2 drug felonies and her son was taken into foster care. Through the program, she grew immensely and prepared to get her son back. It was amazing. Neighbor #1 enrolled at COTC to get her degree in counseling needed a laptop. KnoxWorks used Women United funds and worked closely with IT to give her the technology she needed to do her school work.
Neighbor #2 entered KnoxWorks with no job, no phone, no driver’s license and a felony, all before the age of 21. He has all of those things now and just celebrated one year of employment! His felony was listed incorrectly and KnoxWorks was able to work with the court system and fix the error. KnoxWorks used Women United funds to help with his car insurance to responsibly drive to work!
Neighbor #3 lacked the 2 forms of ID required to get a job. He felt that this was holding him back so KnoxWorks used Women United grant funds to pay the fee to obtain a copy of his birth certificate.
Neighbor #4 was unable to pay his cell phone bill. He needed a phone in order to go through the process of applying for and getting a job. He has since then been hired at a local business and is working toward applying to a new, full-time position.
Neighbor #5 is in Recovery housing and working toward getting his license back. His license reinstatement fees were only $15, which KnoxWorks paid for using Women United grant funds. He is currently enrolled in school at COTC.
Neighbor #6 spent time in prison and had fines and reinstatement fees. She is working and has saved money to pay toward these fees. KnoxWorks helped her get driving privileges by letting the judge know that she has been working closely with TouchPointe. KnoxWorks also used Women United grant funds to help pay a portion of her reinstatement fee. Neighbor #6 was then able to get her insurance and is waiting to take her drivers test once the BMV office makes this option available!
Neighbor #7 attended the March 2020 KnoxWorks class. She is in Recovery and just started a new local job. She is working toward getting her license back. With these funds, KnoxWorks just paid off her reinstatement fees in early June!
These are seven individuals who's lives have been impacted by the Women United KnoxWorks Resources for Recovery grant. We look forward to sharing more stories, as there is still a small portion of the grant funds yet to be spent!