First Day of Service!

Today was the first day of service for our group! We went to the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center in Knoxville. The primary program the center operates is an intervention program called Game Changers, where they educate middle school boys on relationship violence. This program is unique to East Knoxville. The center also provides victim advocacy, facilitates training for trauma victims, and conducts danger assessments for domestic violence survivors. Five days a week, they provide after school programs for nearby schools, allowing students to continue their education in a more dynamic and creative way.

Our specific job today was to clean and organize most areas of the center. This included the kitchen, gym, art room, library, meeting spaces, fitness, and the community garden outside. The center director, Ms. Mack, was extremely accommodating and a few of our group members played knock out with her daughter in the gym. After our hard work today, we drove to a local park and were able to enjoy some of the nice Tennessee sunshine.

Adrianna helped make these beautiful curtains for the center's counselors office!

 We were able to enjoy lunch outside in the community garden!

Lisa, Margo, Jessica, and Ramya worked hard weeding in the garden.

Charlie (aka Chaz) using his height to his advantage during knock out.