Programs We Support

The YMCA served 526 children, families, and individuals in Knox County through programs that support their health and personal development. Offering year-round opportunities and financial assistance, the Y ensures that income is never a barrier--- enabling children to access quality programming and helping older adults stay active, engaged, and connected to the community.

Pathways helps the community to be resilient in recovery from a disaster or to persist sustainably in the face of a new, ongoing hardship. The 24/7/365 information and referral and crisis hotline services in Knox County helped 3,347 individuals connect with professional community resource specialists offering help with crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance, stable housing and utilities assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services. Pathways is also the 988 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline) center for Knox County.

SPI, INC fosters a safe, welcoming, and affordable community space where families can come together for recreation and connection. These early learning experiences support the health and long-term potential of 8,000 Knox County children, promoting economic vitality and ensuring improved quality of life for all residents.

The Salvation Army has provided over 120 people with utility assistance. Families and individuals have been provided with necessary heating, gas, and electricity so that they are able to remain in their homes.

Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland's Girl Scout Leadership Experience provided 171 Knox County girls with hands-on, girl-led learning that builds leadership, sparks curiosity in STEM, and encourages civic responsibility.

The Freedom Center supports individuals who lack access to sober support, safe social opportunities, and resources to maintain long-term sobriety. The program served 153 individuals, offering structured wellness activities and peer support in a stigma-free environment. With more than 12+ alcohol- and drug-free activities to build healthy routines, sober peer support, and recovery skills, participants are empowered to build healthy routines and strengthen recovery skills.

The Healthy Relationships: Self-Made Program, implemented in Knox County High Schools, equips youth with essential life and leadership skills. Serving 472 students, this evidence-based, trauma-informed program promotes healthy relationships, self-awareness, and positive decision-making, empowering students to build safe, respectful connections and prepare for success in college, career, and life.

This program teaches the skills required for homeownership, including proper home maintenance skills and basic home repair, resulting in reduced delinquency rates with homeowners, and giving residents the ability to help improve their own housing situations 70 individuals are projected to be served through classes teaching: basic plumbing, basic electrical, drywall repair, essential home maintenance, and other custom classes such as insulation, working with power tools, and lighting repair.

KCHS delivers high-quality, individualized services to support at-risk children and families, delivering health, mental health, and nutritional services for a whole-child approach, supported with family engagement. KCHS provides a comprehensive early education and multi-generational family engagement program, with centers in Mount Vernon and the villages of Danville, Fredericktown, and Gambier.

By providing a home assessment to identify hazards as well as a discussion about items, behavior, or lack of equipment that could lead to falls, 20 Knox County seniors have received an individualized health assessment and have been encouraged to schedule appointments with primary care, dental, and mental health services through local health care providers. The Vaping Education program has reached 500 middle schoolers to address the community needs of preventing e-cigarette use and promoting overall health by connecting substance use avoidance with healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Interchurch's Rental Assistance aided 674 individuals in 215 households with housing or utility assistance. The school food pantries program provided local teachers and counselors with supplies for 'caring closets'.

The Knox County CASA Program served 37 unduplicated children by providing trained volunteer advocates for youth involved in the juvenile court system. CASA volunteers supported children through court advocacy, case monitoring, and collaboration with families and service providers, ensuring every child assigned a CASA had a consistent voice focused on their best interests and well-being.