Apr. 24, 2025
The YWCA of Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley has received a $1.5 million grant from the State of Tennessee for the Keys of Hope Capital Campaign, with funds to support the renovation of the YWCA Nancy J. Land Center and the expansion of the Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Program for Women.
This grant was funded April 16, when the Tennessee Legislature approved the 2025-26 fiscal year budget which will take effect July 1. The grant will be combined with funds from the City of Knoxville, Knox County, U.S. government and gifts and grants from private donors, corporations and foundations to help expand the vital Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Program for Women.
“We are deeply grateful to Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Legislature, especially state Sen. Becky Massey, Sen. Richard Briggs and our Knox County delegation, for supporting this grant,” said Natalie Stair, interim CEO of YWCA of Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley. “It constitutes 13% of our fundraising goal to complete the renovations of YWCA Nancy J. Land Center and reopen our downtown doors to the women in need who call it home. We also celebrate for the lives that will be positively impacted.”
The Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Program has a 90% success rate and helps women reenter the workforce, find permanent housing, regain self-sufficiency and reclaim roles as contributing members of their communities.
Funds from the Tennessee grant will be invested in expanding the program and continuing essential renovations and updates to the historic downtown building to make the facility safe, functional, energy-efficient and ADA accessible.
The renovation has been underway for six months with substantial progress made to update the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems and build out the expanded floorplan. The project is expected to be completed this fall and will result in 20% more rooms.
“Senators Massey and Briggs have been tireless supporters and advocates of the YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley and working to secure this funding from the state for our Keys of Hope Capital Campaign,” Stair said. “We are grateful for their commitment to our community, their constituents here in East Tennessee and their successful efforts.”
The Keys of Hope campaign is ongoing to support proven solutions to stopping the cycle of homelessness in the community, serving women who are rebuilding lives devastated by loss, domestic violence, substance abuse, imprisonment, and mental and physical health issues.
In addition to the program success rate, the cost to help a woman in the program for one year is $5,973 compared to the annual taxpayer cost to support a chronically homeless person at $40,000.
For those who are interested in learning more about and supporting the YWCA Keys of Hope campaign, visit ywcaknox.com/get-involved/capital-campaign.
About YWCA and the Tennessee Valley
YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley has been serving women and their families in East Tennessee since 1899. Offerings have changed over the years to meet community needs, but one thing has remained the same for more than 100 years: women and families from all walks of life depend on our services.
The YWCA currently operates its Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Women’s Program for 58 women in downtown Knoxville. Women come to the YWCA for a variety of reasons and with a variety of needs. Whatever the reason for a woman’s stay, the program’s goal is to provide affordable housing in a safe environment with supportive services that promote self-sufficiency.
Coordinated out of the YWCA Oak Ridge building, the YWCA also provides scattered site transitional housing services for victims of domestic violence and their families in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Roane and Sevier Counties. This program offers financial education, parenting education and trauma-informed care, including support groups and supervised visitation and safe exchange programs for families who have been affected by domestic violence.
A trusted East Knoxville community center since 1920, YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center is the main facility for the YWCA’s after school, summer and other enrichment youth programs. Phyllis Wheatley Center staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide youth with the tools necessary to overcome obstacles and to succeed in school and beyond.
