Mickayla Eldridge of Friends of Literacy discussed resources available in the community with Western Heights resident Tammy Story while kids of the Western Heights Boys & Girls Club receive a demonstration from Officer Dean Ray and the Knoxville Police Department K-9 unit at a fall community festival on Oct. 12.
The community fair at the Boys & Girls Club corresponded with Knox County Schools’ fall break and featured activities for children, including games and prizes, costume contest and table-to-table trick-or-treating. The Moses Teen Center also offered face-painting for the children. Several adults and dozens of children attended the event.
“We just wanted to do something for the kids,” said Angela Taylor, KCDC administrative assistant at Western Heights. “We wanted to let them know we’re all here to help them. We’re hoping to do more, maybe in the spring. At the festivals, we have resources like CAC and Helen Ross McNabb here to help encourage more adult participation to learn about what’s available to them in the community.”
While children enjoyed the activities, adults in attendance were able to access information about health, education and recreation resources at booths set up by the Knox County Health Department; Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee; Helen Ross McNabb Center; Knoxville Utilities Board; Knoxville Police Department; Johnson University; Project GRAD; Young-Williams Animal Center; Ijams Nature Center and others.
A highlight of the fair was a presentation by KPD Officer Dean Ray and his police dog, Nitro. The officer gave a presentation about the K-9 unit and answered questions from the Boys & Girls Club members.
Jameisha Robinson, program director at the Western Heights Boys & Girls Club for nearly 10 years, helped organize the festival.
“We partnered with KCDC on this event because we serve the same kids that live in this community,” Robinson said. “The kids had a lot of fun with the police dog and the bounce houses, for sure.”
Western Heights is a public housing development managed by KCDC with 688 units of family-style housing.
KCDC is the housing authority and redevelopment agency for Knoxville. Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. For more information, visit https://www.kcdc.org.