Volunteer Ministry Center

A big thank you to Heather and The Florence Crittenton Agency for donating 50 hygiene kits to support our Neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Each kit includes essentials like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, washcloths, lip balm, and toothbrush kits. These are items many of us use every day without a second thought, but they can make a meaningful difference for someone experiencing homelessness. Access to basic hygiene products helps restore dignity, build confidence, and create the stability needed to take the next steps toward permanent housing.

Want to help make a difference? Donations of hygiene items are always needed and appreciated.

To schedule a donation drop-off appointment, contact our Development Team at [email protected] or call 865.524.3926 x230.

Looking for an easy way to give? Shop our Amazon Wish Lists and have items shipped directly to VMC. Our wish lists are tailored to support the unique needs of our programs and the Neighbors we serve. Find our Amazon Wish Lists at https://www.vmcinc.org/donate-items.

Together, we can help our Neighbors move from homelessness to housing and hope.

An event everyone will be talking about! Will you be there?

Amazing music.

Premium wine tastings.

Local moonshine samples.

An exciting live auction packed with unique experiences and one-of-a-kind items.

But Wine & Shine is about more than a great night out.

Every ticket purchased helps Volunteer Ministry Center provide housing solutions, supportive services, and hope for our Neighbors experiencing homelessness right here in Knoxville and Knox County.

Join us for an evening of food, fellowship, entertainment, and community while helping prevent and end homelessness!

One Night. Endless Impact.

Get your tickets today: vmcinc.org/wine-shine

This month, we had the opportunity to attend Fellowship Church's Summer Serve Mission Fair! Pictured are Mary Beth, VMC's Chief Compliance Officer, and Allie, Development Specialist, with Betsy Brooks, Coordinator of Local Mission at Fellowship Church.

Events like these remind us of the power of community partnerships in addressing homelessness. Since our founding, faith communities, businesses, volunteers, and supporters across Knoxville have played a vital role in helping us prevent and end homelessness.

At Volunteer Ministry Center, we believe housing is the solution to homelessness and a critical part of the healing process. Lasting change happens when compassionate people come together with a shared commitment to supporting our Neighbors on their journey toward stability and independence.

Thank you to Fellowship Church for inviting us to be part of this meaningful event and for your partnership in this important work!

Want to learn how to be a community partner with VMC? Visit https://www.vmcinc.org/collaborative-partnerships to learn more!

As we celebrate Historic Preservation Month and Affordable Housing Month, Minvilla Manor stands as a powerful example of how preserving history can also transform lives.

Now celebrating 15 years as an important part of the Volunteer Ministry Center story, Minvilla Manor reflects the life-changing impact of Permanent Supportive Housing.

Originally built in the early 1900s near the heart of Knoxville’s commercial district, Minvilla once represented sophisticated housing for the city’s growing middle class. Over time, however, the property declined alongside the surrounding neighborhood and eventually became a condemned motel property.

In 2006, Volunteer Ministry Center saw an opportunity not only to restore a historic building, but to create lasting change for our community. Through a combination of public and private investment, the property was transformed into 57 units of affordable permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

Today, Minvilla Manor provides more than housing. With on-site case management and supportive services, residents are equipped with the tools and support needed to build long-term housing stability, independence, and hope.

Carefully restored by local craftspeople, Minvilla’s historic character remains while offering welcoming community spaces and modern, energy-efficient apartments. The result is more than a preserved landmark; it’s a place where people can move forward with dignity and stability.

Minvilla Manor reminds us that historic preservation and affordable housing can work hand in hand to strengthen neighborhoods, honor community history, and create opportunities for people to thrive.

Learn more about Minvilla Manor and our Permanent Supportive Housing units by visiting: https://www.vmcinc.org/programs

You’re invited to an evening benefiting Volunteer Ministry Center!

Join us on July 17, 2026, for Wine & Shine at the Crowne Plaza Knoxville in support of VMC’s mission to prevent and end homelessness in Knoxville.

Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring premium moonshine and wine tastings, a delicious dinner, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community.

We’re inviting community partners to join us for this year’s event through sponsorship opportunities designed for businesses, organizations, churches, families, and community leaders who want to make a difference while enjoying a one-of-a-kind evening.

By becoming a sponsor, your organization will support Volunteer Ministry Center’s work to provide housing solutions and supportive services for neighbors experiencing homelessness while also receiving meaningful visibility during one of our signature community events.

From premium guest experiences to recognition throughout the evening and across our marketing channels, sponsorship opportunities provide a memorable way to engage employees, host clients, and demonstrate your commitment to strengthening our community.

Together, we can create an evening that brings people together while making a lasting impact.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or secure your sponsorship, visit our website at vmcinc.org/wine-shine, email us at [email protected], or call 865.524.3926 ext. 230.

Yesterday, our Resource Center dining room got a red, white, and blue makeover thanks to an incredible meal group who helped make Memorial Day extra special for our Neighbors.

From festive decorations to an all-American lunch of cheeseburgers and hot dogs, this group created more than a meal; they created connection and community.

Our Resource Center serves breakfast and lunch every weekday and provides case management, housing support, showers, laundry access, classes, and a welcoming place for individuals working toward stable housing.

A huge thank you to JA Fielden Group, including Maleny, Chandra, Rhodes, Kiki, Owen, and Melinda, for sharing your time and kindness with our Neighbors and creating such a welcoming space in our Resource Center!

Interested in serving meals or volunteering with us? Email [email protected] or call 865.524.3926 ext. 230 to register yourself for our next Volunteer Orientation on June 11th!

A new job can be life-changing, but for many of our Neighbors, barriers like transportation, vital documents, or even appropriate work clothes can stand in the way.

At the Bush Family Refuge, we work to remove those barriers and help individuals move toward stability and housing. Pictured here, one of our dedicated volunteers, Greta, helps a Neighbor prepare for a new job with clothing and shoes for their first days at work.

The Bush Family Refuge serves as a navigation center within Volunteer Ministry Center and is a designated access point for Knox County’s Coordinated Housing Assessment and Match Plan (CHAMP), which helps connect individuals to housing opportunities and supportive services. Through homelessness prevention, crisis intervention, referrals, transportation assistance, and help obtaining vital documents, the Refuge provides critical support for Neighbors working toward a more stable future.

Sometimes, something as simple as a pair of shoes can help open the door to a new beginning.

Want to learn more about the Bush Family Refuge and the other ways VMC serves our community? Visit https://www.vmcinc.org/programs.

Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Wenk from the Smile180 Foundation to VMC.

For nearly a decade, this partnership has brought more than care; it’s brought confidence, dignity, and renewed hope to our Neighbors.

During his visit, Dr. Wenk generously supported our mission on behalf of Smile180, helping us continue making a meaningful impact in our community.

Because of partners like Smile180, individuals can take important steps toward stability and permanent housing.

We’re so grateful for their continued kindness, generosity, and commitment over the years.

Interested in becoming a community partner? Learn more about how you can get involved with VMC!

https://www.vmcinc.org/collaborative-partnerships

Our volunteers are a critical part of our mission.

Each month, we celebrate one of our regular volunteers - we are proud to spotlight Duane Simmons.

For the past two years, Duane has been a consistent presence in the Bush Family Refuge, always ready to jump in, support our Neighbors, and help however he can. He brings encouragement, dignity, and care to every interaction.

His motivation is simple: to be more involved in the community and make a difference. He does exactly that.

We’re so grateful for Duane and the impact he makes.

Help us celebrate Duane! 🎊