KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — ReLAUNCH, a nonprofit dedicated to its goal of achieving functional zero homelessness in Knoxville, is taking charge as winter approaches. The team of passionate individuals is working towards a 24/7 operation to help the unhoused population in downtown Knoxville.
“ReLAUNCH really wants to come in making access very simple,” Linda Conaway, the nonprofit’s president, said. “We are not going to have expectations around some of the traditional things. You don’t need ID to get in; we’re not expecting sobriety for people to get in. We want to make sure people have a place to survive the night, so we’re looking at meeting people exactly where they are.”
ReLAUNCH ran a similar shelter back in February when Knoxville was going through a cold snap, operating a low-barrier shelter in the city. Now that they have signed a contract with the Salvation Army to reinstate a shelter downtown, they are one step closer to providing 24-hour service to those in need…