By Tribune Staff
KNOXVILLE, TN — Executive Director Keira Wyatt heard the call and just as she has for almost 20 years, she is providing a space for the All Call to the Community of Knoxville:
The nonprofit I AM The Voice of the Voiceless is sending out a call to the people, organizations and churches of Knoxville to fill the storehouses of the spaces designated as Warming Centers for the unhoused during the coming winter months.
Wyatt knows it’s not the first time Vivian Shipe, executive director of the organization, has made this call.
Shipe and State Rep. Gloria Johnson held the first warming center a few years ago, turning the democratic headquarters on Morgan Street into a space of refuge against the cold, going out into the community, under the bridge and on the streets, bringing in those who could not get to safety, providing blankets, hot drinks and a meal. Following an appeal to Pastor Evans by Shipe, Eternal Life Harvest Center stepped up and opened it’s gym for the winter and others soon followed.
The need is urgent. Just two weeks ago, Shipe spoke to city council about the coming winter and the need to help the unhoused just a week before 169 names of those who died on the streets of Knoxville in 2023, were read at an annual winter solstice memorial service.
Following the announcement of four warming centers due to open, Director Shipe has taken to the airwaves to call for assistance from the public to provide the items needed by the warming centers.
Shipe said, “These places of refuge will need supplies. They are willing to open their doors for the most vulnerable among us, the elderly, children, aged-out youth, the unhoused, the families, and those forced into the streets by eviction. We are the hands and feet of God and it is through us that His people must be cared for. We can not allow another 169 names to be called out in this sanctuary city ever again.” Shipe also said, “If each of us would just provide three items, we could really make a true difference this winter!” “We rise TOGETHER by walking in Proverbs 19:17”.
As always, the first to step up to help was C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Ministries Executive Director Keira Wyatt.
For almost two decades, C.O.N.N.E.C.T. has been a vital resource hub connecting those in need with the help they need. Wyatt and Shipe have worked together for over 40 years serving the most vulnerable in many projects. The offices of I AM The Voice of the Voiceless are housed in the C.ON.N.E.C.T building which also offers help for workforce development, reentry programs for those coming out of prison, and housing and utility needs among many other services.
Shipe has asked for donations to be brought to her office at CONNECT Ministries at 3615 MLK Ave. for the next 21 days. She also plans to make an appeal to the churches of Knoxville. Overcoming Believers Church has already reached out to step up and help.
Supplies will delivered to the warming centers as they come in.
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