Next Step Initiative COVID-19 Response Program
Donation protected
Next Step Initiative is a state-registered nonprofit under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Shares. Started in 2017, Next Step Initiative is an organization that provides food, showers, clothing, case management, treatment referral, and other services to people in South Knoxville who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, and addiction.
The primary purpose of Next Step Initiative is a comprehensive coalition approach to engagement with people who are affected by the opioid epidemic, poverty, addiction, and homelessness. In everything that we do, our team at Next Step Initiative works to surround people with love, encouragement, and empowerment to help them take the next positive step in their journey.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, we have had to close our day center in order to prevent large gatherings of clients and staff. Despite this closure, we decided to mobilize our efforts and go out on the streets to our clients to address their needs during this critical time in a new street outreach program called Trenches 2 Treatment COVID-19 Response Program. In this program, our staff goes out every day distributing meals to our clients; for many, this is their only source of food at the moment. We’re working to address other needs as well, such as providing clothing and basic hygiene necessities, and soon hope to begin distributing cloth masks to our clients. In addition to this, we’re also scheduling appointments with our clients so that they may stop by the center, one at a time, to access showers and laundry services. We’re also working with other agencies, such as Metro Drug Coalition and VMC, who have set up a shelter for homeless people who have tested positive for COVID-19. We’re also regularly supplying daily meals to the individuals who are staying at this shelter.
ALL funds raised by this GoFundMe will go directly towards keeping our COVID-19 Response program running so that we may be able to continue providing food and other services to our clients and other people experiencing homelessness in the community.
The primary purpose of Next Step Initiative is a comprehensive coalition approach to engagement with people who are affected by the opioid epidemic, poverty, addiction, and homelessness. In everything that we do, our team at Next Step Initiative works to surround people with love, encouragement, and empowerment to help them take the next positive step in their journey.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, we have had to close our day center in order to prevent large gatherings of clients and staff. Despite this closure, we decided to mobilize our efforts and go out on the streets to our clients to address their needs during this critical time in a new street outreach program called Trenches 2 Treatment COVID-19 Response Program. In this program, our staff goes out every day distributing meals to our clients; for many, this is their only source of food at the moment. We’re working to address other needs as well, such as providing clothing and basic hygiene necessities, and soon hope to begin distributing cloth masks to our clients. In addition to this, we’re also scheduling appointments with our clients so that they may stop by the center, one at a time, to access showers and laundry services. We’re also working with other agencies, such as Metro Drug Coalition and VMC, who have set up a shelter for homeless people who have tested positive for COVID-19. We’re also regularly supplying daily meals to the individuals who are staying at this shelter.
ALL funds raised by this GoFundMe will go directly towards keeping our COVID-19 Response program running so that we may be able to continue providing food and other services to our clients and other people experiencing homelessness in the community.
Fundraising team: Next Step Initiative (3)
Natalee Wright
Organizer
Knoxville, TN
Addie Arbach
Team member
Cameron Henshaw
Team member
