Breakthrough Corporation will initiate Project SEARCH, a program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Knoxville area which will provide them with life enriching new opportunities for employment in well-paying, skilled jobs. Two sites of the nationally acclaimed Project SEARCH program will be established at leading Knoxville employers. Project SEARCH provides people with autism, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities with nine month internships that include coursework and training rotations through three jobs at an employer’s workplace. Upon completion, interns are hired by either the host employer or other collaborating employers. Each Knoxville site will serve nine interns annually.

Left to Right: David Haynes, Trinity Vice-Chair; Kelly Headden, Trinity Secretary; Beth Ritchie, Breakthrough Corporation; Connie Hutchins, Trinity Chair; Dr. Robert Nicholas, Breakthrough Corporation; Dr. Lee Martin, Trinity President; Anthony Ingram, Trinity Board Member; Suzanne Schriver, Trinity Treasurer

Project Title: The Future Story Project

Compassion Coalition will develop through Getting Ahead classes The Future Story Project which will serve Knox County residents who wish to escape from the economic environment of poverty and long to build a better future for themselves and their families.  Each Getting Ahead class composed of 10 – 12 individuals, known as Investigators who currently live in poverty, will perform extensive self-analysis of the impact that living in poverty has on their lives.  They will explore how their lives can change, situations can improve, and stability can be achieved for themselves and their families.  Each Getting Ahead graduate will have the opportunity to be matched with 2 or 3 allies, or volunteers from the community, who are committed to provide ongoing support in a long-term capacity.

Left to Right: David Haynes, Trinity Vice-Chair; Kelly Headden, Trinity Secretary; Jessica Bocangél, Compassion Coalition; Grant Standefer, Compassion Coalition; Connie Hutchins, Trinity Chair; Dr. Lee Martin, Trinity President; Anthony Ingram, Trinity Board Member

Project Title: Transformation Through Sports

Emerald Youth Foundation will provide a program for kids to be physically active and be transformed through sports. An urban soccer program is being developed and, at full capacity will grow to reach over 500 young athletes in Knoxville’s poorest communities. Emerald will run soccer programs, providing opportunities for urban kids and young adults to experience this sport, support and/or create school programs if they don’t exist, and expand its ministry opportunities among the players and their families.

Left to Right: Kelly Headden, Trinity Secretary; Dr. Lee Martin, Trinity President; Shara Shoup, Emerald Youth Foundation; Steve Diggs, Emerald Youth Foundation; Connie Hutchins, Trinity Chair; Anthony Ingram, Trinity Board Member; David Haynes, Trinity Vice-Chair

Project Title: InterFaith Living Well Program – Chronic Disease Management

Interfaith Health Clinic will hold training classes called The InterFaith Living Well initiative which aims to improve the health and overall quality of life of working uninsured individuals suffering from chronic disease. IF Living Well will lead participants through a six-week workshop aimed at educating and motivating chronic disease sufferers to make good health choices that will help them manage their disease.  IF Living Well aims to affect an improvement in participants’ knowledge about their condition, daily health choices that impact their disease, exercise habits, and communication with physicians.

Left to Right: David Haynes, Trinity Vice-Chair; Kelly Headden, Trinity Secretary; Amanda Armstrong, InterFaith Health Clinic; Melissa Knight, InterFaith Health Clinic; Anthony Ingram, Trinity Board Chair; Connie Hutchins, Trinity Chair; Dr. Lee Martin, Trinity President

Project Title: Continuing Education in Medical Pastoral Care for East Tennessee Spiritual Leaders

The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Department of Pastoral Care will address the spiritual needs of the Knoxville area’s medical community by providing training in clinical pastoral care to community spiritual leaders and volunteers associated with area hospitals’ chaplaincy programs.   By engaging volunteers and the spiritual leaders which the community already trusts, they can help minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of all in medical crisis, independent of hospital, faith or the current or future availability of funds for hospital chaplaincy programs.  Three seminars a year with 50 attendees each on spiritual care in the medical setting will be held.

Left to Right: David Haynes, Trinity Vice-Chair; Kelly Headden, Trinity Secretary; Anne Sprouse, UT Medical Dept. of Pastoral Care; Rev. Steve Sexton, UT Medical Dept. of Pastoral Care; Connie Hutchins, Trinity Chair; Dr. Lee Martin, Trinity President; Anthony Ingram, Trinity Board Member