KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Every year around 2,500 people at-risk of homelessness are served at the Volunteer Ministry Center. After decades of helping the most vulnerable, the VMC's leader is retiring.
Bruce Spangler first joined the organization in 2006. For 17 years, his work in Knoxville has taken him straight to the streets. Through his years of outreach, he said he has seen it all and he is now retiring.
He said two events during his watch significantly impacted homelessness in Knoxville — the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I try to engage people as people, to meet people where they are to understand," he said. "You're not helping someone experiencing homelessness until housing is part of the equation."
In 2008 housing advocates saw a greater urgency to help families, as many lost their homes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, shutdowns put more people out of a job and made them vulnerable to homelessness.
One of the most pressing problems Knoxville faces is a lack of affordable housing. The Knoxville area is growing, which can lead to an increase in homelessness.
"It's far too convenient to blame the victim. The reason why people experience homelessness is the lack of appropriate housing," he said.
He said if the community wants to see a decrease in home instability, it all begins with local policy and how the community responds.
"I have seen our community move from just a benevolent hand to try to create systemic responses that will not only have short-term effects, but long-term effects," Spangler said.
For him, his decades-long work in North Broadway comes naturally.
"It's what you're supposed to do," he said. "Be nice, be kind, be generous, be thoughtful. But that's what you're supposed to do."
As for the future of the VMC, Christopher Cowart will take over as the new CEO. Spangler said he hopes his successor will continue to add to the foundation that previous leaders have built upon.
Spangler's last day will be March 31.