The Welcoming Knoxville Festival was organized to celebrate newly naturalized citizens in the city, as well as the greater immigrant community. It was hosted by the Office of Immigrant Services, a Catholic Charities of East Tennessee program that provides legal services to immigrants and refugees.
The Office of Immigrant Services, a Catholic Charities of East Tennessee program, will host a public Welcoming Knoxville Festival to celebrate newly naturalized citizens on Saturday, June 26 from 11 am until 2 pm at Suttree Landing Park.
It's every kid's dream to ride a tricycle or a bicycle. But for Jacob Phipps, due to his cerebral palsy, fulfilling that dream is not automatic. Recently, Jacob's family received a customized, off-road capable adaptive trike gifted to them by Catholic Charities of East Tennessee through funds made available from the James Wallace West Estate.
A 2-year-old with cerebral palsy on signal mountain has been given a very special gift. Jacob Phipps was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just one year old. The Phipps’ family was gifted and presented a fully customized, off-road capable, adaptive bike designed by Freedom Concepts and sponsored by Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.
Jacob Phipps is an energetic little boy with a bright smile. Despite his battle with cerebral palsy, his mom describes him as one of the happiest toddlers she’s ever seen. “For us, it fits with our mission of serving our community and it is a way to give back and a way to give families and give Jacob that dignity that he so deserves," Lori Sliwa, East Tennessee Catholic Charities, said. That dignity and a greater sense of normalcy is a big deal for Jacob and his family.
Even though the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade did not happen this year, the Knoxville community is still doing all they can to celebrate and support families right here in East Tennessee. Help Fill the #KnoxPotOGold To support Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and their many wonderful programs. See Program Director, Paul Ritter discuss the funds the #KnoxPotOGold will benefit.
St. Michael’s continued to grow throughout the pandemic and the church is now in need of more space. [It is] also noted that the needs are great in the community. “St. Michael had a wonderful opportunity to host a food drive where residents of the county were able to pick some fresh products,” Rev. Deacon Kenneth Wandera said. “This was made possible through the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee in collaboration with the Farmers to Families program.
The Raskob Foundation has supported CCETN’s Pregnancy Help Center (PHC) through the “Earn While You Learn” program with multiple grants since 2011. Their PHC’s provides services to couples and individuals who are navigating the varied challenges of pregnancy and parenthood. For every class completed, clients earn material items, like car seats and diapers, which promotes responsibility, builds self-esteem and self-sufficiency.
Alessandra Ceccarelli, Program Director of the Office of Immigrant Services, offered her expertise on immigrant relations following the executive order to revise the Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities. Read the full story here.