KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A nonprofit based in downtown Knoxville is hoping to raise money to make improvements to its nearly century-old building.
The YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley said Wednesday it was officially launching its Keys of Hope Capital Campaign, helping fund essential renovations and updates to the historic building. The nonprofit said the updates would help make sure the building is safe and functional enough to operate fully.
It said every year, around 1,200 women ask about programs through the nonprofit but must be turned away due to a lack of space. The current building is not fully accessible, and has outdated mechanical systems, according to the YWCA. Its plumbing system is also disintegrating, with crumbling exterior and interior walls.
The renovations will also allows the YWCA to help more women across the city. It said it has a 90% success rate in helping women reenter the workforce, find permanent housing and become self-sufficient. A release from the nonprofit said it costs around $5,973 per year to support homeless women through the nonprofit.
On Wednesday, the YWCA also recognized Nancy Land and Stephen Land for their donation and said its Clinch Avenue building would be known as the YWCA Nancy J. Land Center.
So far, the YWCA has raised around $9.9 million through public and private funding and grant programs. The nonprofit said it hopes to raise enough money to meet its $11.5 million goal through the Keys of Hope Capital Campaign community fundraising push.
Anyone who wants to donate to the YWCA can do so through the nonprofit's website.
