YWCA Knoxville reopens renovated 1925 building, expands Keys of Hope residential capacity
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
YWCA Knoxville celebrated the reopening of its renovated 1925 center and said the project expands the Keys of Hope residential program by about 20%, with nearly $700,000 in city grants and support from Knox County, state and federal partners.
Knoxville — The YWCA in downtown Knoxville on Wednesday marked the reopening of its renovated 1925 building and said the work expands its Keys of Hope residential program, an agency official said.
"Most importantly, this expansion increases our residential capacity by 20%," said Natalie Catherine, chief executive officer of the YWCA, who described Keys of Hope as a comprehensive wraparound program that provides life skills, workforce development, individualized case management and referrals to health and mental‑health partners.
The renovation restores historic features and restores space used for services across the nonprofit's six‑county service area, Catherine said. The project drew financial support from multiple levels of government and private donors: Knoxville Mayor Anya Kincannon said the city has provided nearly $700,000 in community agency grants and additional capital support over the past five years, and YWCA leaders thanked donors Nancy and Steven Land and Randy and Jenny Boyd.
"It's not just about the historic preservation of a 100‑year‑old building," Kincannon said, adding that the facility offers women a path to economic integration and a walkable, stable neighborhood setting.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said the county is proud to support programs that help residents secure stable housing and reduce strain on emergency services. "This historic YWCA building, which was built in 1925, continues to serve as a refuge for women in our area," Jacobs said.
State Sen. Richard Briggs and Sen. Becky Massey also praised the renovation and urged continued attention to the center's ongoing maintenance and recurring operating needs after construction costs and inflation stretched budgets. Briggs said state assistance helped complete the project but cautioned that sustaining services will require continued public and private support.
YWCA officials said the center will continue to house multiple programs and serve as the nonprofit's headquarters for the region; they invited media for interviews following the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
The organization said artifacts recovered from a time capsule opened during the building's 100th‑anniversary celebration are preserved in partnership with the East Tennessee Historical Society. The ribbon cutting concluded with a ceremonial countdown and remarks from YWCA leaders and elected officials.