KLF MOVES TO THE HISTORIC REGAS BUILDING

Summer 2015
Transforming Communities, Changing Lives, Connecting Leader s
KLF MOVES TO THE HISTORIC REGAS BUILDING
After nearly two decades at the Fort Hill Building, Knoxville Leadership Foundation
is happily settled in its new home at The Regas Building! Located on the historic corner
of Gay Street, Depot Street and Magnolia Avenue, The Regas Building is the former site
of the beloved community icon, Regas Restaurant. KLF purchased the building and has
undertaken a complete renovation of the 26,000 square foot, two story facility.
Built in the late 1800’s, the once five story building was originally named The Harris
Building. It was a multi-use facility with retail shops, offices and apartments, a concept that
was before its time. In the early 1900’s the building housed The Watauga Hotel, Kuhlman’s
Drug Store and the Regas Cafe. KLF has been reclaiming as many of the original building
details as possible. Rennovatons will conclude on the first floor in the Fall of 2015, where we
will have modern training and conference space, a coffee shop - The Gathering Place Cafe
sponsored by Keurig Green Mountain Coffee, and office space for nonprofits. We are 98%
leased with Knoxville Leadership Foundation, Alliance for Better Nonprofits, Big Brothers
Big Sisters of East Tennessee, Compassion Coalition, East Tennessee Quality Growth,
Johnson University’s Urban Alliance, and UT’s Haslam College of Business Consortium for
Social Enterprise Effectiveness calling The Regas Building home.
“We take very seriously the fact that it’s our time to steward this part of Knoxville’s
history,” Chris Martin, KLF President said. “KLF hopes to create a place that is a good
neighbor and a strong community asset for our city. We truly believe this is God’s gift to us
and we want to expand this gift to make an impact in Knoxville.”
One hidden treasure has proven to be a staff favorite. Wood floor joists, uncovered in
the downstairs training space, turned out to be exceptionally rare “Heart Pine,” at least
two centuries old. KLF commissioned John McGilvay, owner of McGilvay Woodworks, to
create custom pieces for the building, like tables and counters. Additionally, all the old
stonework, brick work and storefront glass on the outside are being reclaimed and
re-exposed bringing the building back to its early 1900’s look.
We will be planning a “grand” reopening in the fall where we
want the community to come and see a piece of our city’s
history, so be on the lookout for more on this big reveal.
For more information visit www.klf.org.
Amachi
Center for
Communities
Conference room table created by John
McGilvay from reclaimed Heart Pine wood.
The Regas Building will be a future hub for
nonprofit offices, training and collaboration.
Neighborhood Housing
Operation Backyard
Southeastern
Housing Foundation
and KnoxWorx
People of faith mentoring children of promise.
AMACHI KNOXVILLE GOES TO CAMP
Twenty-one Amachi children were able to experience
summer camp at its finest thanks to Grace Point Jim
Muir Kamp 4 Kids and Camp Wesley Woods. The camps
provided 21 combined scholarships for Amachi boys
and girls to attend camp this year!
“Amachi has had the privilege to work with Camp
Wesley Woods and Grace Point Camp for a number of
years,” said Danita McCartney, Director of Mentoring
Initiatives. “Their generousity allows our mentees the
opportunity to experience and learn new things.”
Summer camp can be life changing and we’re grateful
to our friends at Grace Point and Wesley Woods who
believe that every at-risk child deserves an opportunity
to experience summer camp. The kids enjoyed canoeing,
swimming, arts and crafts, archery, tubing, dancing and
fellowship with one another. For half of the Amachi group,
it was their first experience being away from home or
attending camp.
Amachi Knoxville is always looking for mentors for
these children of promise! To learn more about Knoxville
Leadership Foundation’s mentoring programs, contact
Danita McCartney at [email protected].
P2
Amachi
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” - Isaiah 1:!7
CENTER FOR COMMUNITIES LOOKING
AHEAD TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
With an increased interest in the upper East Tennessee
region having a nonprofit resource center, KLF along with
other nonprofits, foundations and business leaders, began
a discussion in 2013 about how this might be realized. KLF
underwent a research project to identify the best practices
across the country that had sustainable centers serving their
communities nonprofits. Blending several of these models
with our Center for Communities (CFC) work, KLF developed
a business plan to launch a new nonprofit called Alliance for
Better Nonprofits (ABN). KLF’s Board of Directors approved
spinning CFC out from under KLF to launch ABN. In 2014, ABN
developed a Board of Directors and incorporated the new entity.
Now ABN has the initial staff hired and is preparing for its official
launch in September 2015. For more infomation on ABN visit,
www.BetterNonprofits.org. To complete the transition from Center for Communities to
Alliance for Better Nonprofits, KLF developed “The Nonprofit
Summer Training Series” which is a partnership between Center
for Communities and Alliance for Better Nonprofits and has
been an immense success. Interest in the summer series was
at an all-time high with many sessions at capacity.
The 101 level series, hosted at KLF’s Flenniken Landing,
focused on a range of topics including social and digital
marketing, program development, resource management
and personal effectiveness. Leading industry experts gave
participants insightful and engaging information that could
easily be put into practice at their organizations.
“The training series is just a preview of the level of trainings
that the Alliance for Better Nonprofits will be providing in the
Fall,” said Dan Myers, KLF’s VP of Advancement. “The Center for
Communities and ABN partnership has started off strong and
we are excited about the opportunities that will be available for
East Tennessee nonprofits.”
The Regas Building will be home to large training and
conference spaces that will serve as a hub for nonprofit
resources. Stay tuned for more information as Center for
Communities continues its transition to the Alliance for Better
Nonprofits!
If you would like to know more about the Alliance for Better
Nonprofits contact Dan Myers at [email protected] or visit us
online at www.KLF.org or www.BetterNonprofits.org.
“let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” -Hebrews 12:1
P3
Center for
Communities
Renewing communities with quality, affordable homes.
NHI PRESENTS TO KNOXVILLE REALTORS
Recently, the Neighborhood Housing, Inc. team had the opportunity to present to many of Knoxville’s top realtors,
thanks to a lunch and learn event sponsored by the Council of Residential Specialists, Pinnacle Financial Partners,
the Knoxville Association of Realtors, and First American Homebuyers Protection Corporation. As a valued NHI
partner, Pinnacle Financial Partners’ training and meeting space provided the perfect setting.
While many of the realtors enjoyed lunch, the team had the opportunity to explain more about the unique
services available to low-income families in our community. “Many low-income families think that homeownership
is out of reach, but that’s not the case with our Homebuyer Readiness Program,” said Adam Montgomery, Housing
Director at Neighborhood Housing, Inc.
The Homebuyer Readiness Program provides one-on-one
financial counseling to help place low-income families in highquality homes, through improved financial literacy, incentives
and up to $29,000 in down payment assistance. In 2014, the
Homebuyer Readiness Program served 55 individuals and
families.
“A big part of working with these families is helping them better
understand credit, manage debt and save money for the future,”
said Russell Catron, Housing Coordinator. “At the end of the
program, it’s the best feeling to hand over the keys to their first
home.”
To date, the Homebuyer Readiness Program has served 216
Adam Montgomery, Housing Director, presenting families with 43 purchasing an NHI home.
to Knoxville area realtors at Pinnacle Bank.
Contact Russell Catron at [email protected] for more information.
CHURCH YOUTH UNITE AT OPERATION BACKYARD CAMP
Operation Backyard Camp 2015 was a huge success as 60 youth spent a
week serving the Knoxville community. The week’s theme, “United”, was seen
in action as five different churches worked together to help several families.
Together the churches were able to replace two roofs, paint two homes and
build a handicap accessible ramp - all in five days!
Brent Ronald, pastor at Cokesbury Church, expanded on the camp theme:
“United.” Students from Ridgedale Baptist Church, Bethel UMC, Meridian Baptist
Church, Broadway UMC and Colonial Heights UMC learned what it means to be
“United” as a city, in faith, and in Christ through scripture and life examples.
KLF President, Chris Martin, reminded the youth that Jesus Christ looks down
upon our city and sees only one church... “United.”
The youth displayed Christ to the homeowners and blessed them not only
with home repairs, but through relationships. One evening, homeowners were
invited to join the campers and their families for a time of fellowship and
worship. It was a sweet time to look around a room filled with people from
different backgrounds and circumstances and see nothing but smiles.
At the end of the week, there were many amazing testimonies about the way
Christ was seen throughout the week. Operation Backyard Camp 2015 was a
week of Uniting under the common goal to serve the city and see Jesus glorified.
The Operation Backyard team is already looking forward to next year’s camp and
creating more special memories.
OBY serves over 80 families throughout the year. For more information about
Operation Backyard, contact Jay Zartman at [email protected].
“Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight...” -James 1:26
P4
Housing
Initiatives
Developing, owning and operating multi-family rental housing
for at-risk individuals and families.
FLENNIKEN LANDING THROWS FIRST EVICTION PARTY
Flenniken Landing recently threw its first eviction party for resident, Tommy Millsaps. When you think of eviction your
first thought may not be a happy ending, but Tommy’s story will touch your heart.
Tommy first came to Flenniken Landing one and a half years ago after being on the street for eight years. Like many of
the people who come to us for help, he struggled with many issues. Tommy began the hard work to restore his life with
the help of Flenniken’s dedicated case managers. In the beginning, the work was difficult, but things began looking up
when he got a part-time job with East Tennessee Technology Access Center (ETTAC). Working with ETTAC began to change
Tommy’s life, giving him fresh confidence and inspiring him to become more active in the community.
Tommy will be the first to tell you that God is at the center of his story and that it’s by His grace he has come so far.
After working with ETTAC for a over a year, he was offered a full-time job with benefits.
“We threw a big party to celebrate Tommy and his achievements,” said David Ault, KLF’s VP of Programs. “It’s heartening
to see a building that has been restored to life also restoring the lives of 48 others each and every day.”
Tommy has now moved to his own apartment and continues to do well. He remains active in the community inspiring
others on their journey to restoration.
For more information about Flenniken Landing
contact David Ault at [email protected].
Tommy Millsaps and Terry Bray celebrate
Tommy’s success.
Tommy Millsaps with Flenniken Landing staff at
Flenniken’s first eviction party.
KNOXWORX LAUNCHES JOB CLUB IN DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE
In
July,
KnoxWorx
launched a fourth Job Club
in Downtown Knoxville!
KnoxWorx Job Clubs focus
KnoxWorx
on networking and job
readiness that begins with
job skills training, resume building, interview skills and
the like.
Finding work can be challenging, especially if your job
skills training is behind today’s standards. Employers
are in search of highly skilled candidates, which makes
landing a great job even more difficult. KnoxWorx was
created to help bridge the gap by providing skills training
and resume building to help the unemployed and under
employed find their dream job.
“It’s an exciting time for KnoxWorx as our Job Club
attendance continues to grow and more participants are
finding employment,” said Tim Waldo, KLF’s Director of
Workforce Development/KnoxWorx.
Currently, over 20,000 in Knox County are out of work
or under employed. KnoxWorx, in partnership with area
churches, provides meeting places where job seekers
can seek encouragement, network with community
leaders and learn needed skills and job searching
techniques.
For more information about
the work that KnoxWorx is
doing in the community
contact Tim Waldo at
[email protected].
terrified.
Don’t
“...but blessed is the one who heedsDon’t
wisdom’s be
instruction”
- Proverbs
29:18
P5
Flenniken
KnoxWorx
be discouraged...
The Regas Building
318 North Gay Street, Suite 210
Knoxville, TN 37917
p: 865.524.2774 f: 865.525.4213
www.klf.org
KLF BOARD MEMBERS
Kevin Bailey
Bailey Sales Corporation
Joan Cronan
Athletic Director, Emeritus
University of Tennessee
Guille Cruze
Mike Fleenor
Fleenor Security
Dr. Johney Green
Oak Ridge National Laboratories
Neil Koonce
Healthcare Receivables Group
Chris Martin
Knoxville Leadership Foundation
J. Scott Overholt
The White Stone Group
Glenn Sumner
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
KLF MOVES TO THE REGAS
BUILDING
Knoxville Leadership Foundation moves to historic building
that was once home to the iconic Regas Restaurant.
A HAPPY EVICTION
Flenniken Landing celebrates a resident who has achieved
financial stability and is ready to move out on his own.
17TH ANNUAL OBY CAMP
O UR S TA F F
Chris Martin
Russell Catron
David Ault
Jay Zartman
Sandy Behm
Cathy Lanz
Dan Myers
Jami Cox
Chris Cowart
Rachel Bleedner
President
Vice President of Programs
Vice President of Finance
NHI Homeownership Coordinator
Housing Coordinator/OBY
Accountant
Vice President of Advancement Accountant
The Operation Backyard team joined with local youth to serve
local homeowners and learn more about this year’s camp
theme “UNITE.”
Director of Asset Management Mentoring Initiatives
/General Counsel
Coordinator/Amachi
Donna Morris
Alexa Goddard
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Danita McCartney
Kristie Blevins
Learn more about how you can raise community rewards for
Knoxville Leadership Foundation just by shopping at Kroger!
Director of Grant Management Communications Specialist
Director of Mentoring
Initiatives/Amachi
Adam Montgomery
Case Manager,
KnoxWorx
Mike Jacobs
Director of Neighborhood
Housing Inc.
Case Manager,
KnoxWorx
Steve Sword
Charles Rogers
Del McCartney
Doug Yoakley
Tim Waldo
Ortho Tennessee
Tennessee Judiciary
Pershing, Yoakley & Associates
Director of Programs
Flenniken Landing
Case Manager,
Flenniken Landing
Director of Workforce
Development/KnoxWorx
DONATE ONLINE AT WWW.KLF.ORG