Volunteers head into homeless camps weekly. They're armed with food, resources and love. 

Volunteers head into homeless camps weekly. They're armed with food, resources and love.

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.

East Tennessee Now

A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministry

Frank Murphy interviews Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel, who was sworn in as Knoxville’s 27th Chief of Police on June 13, 2022. Prior to assuming command of the Knoxville Police Department, Noel was a Deputy Superintendent at the New Orleans Police Department, where he served in numerous leadership roles for over 25 years.

After hiring over 100 recruits in 2025, KPD is back to full staffing levels for the first time in over a decade. The most recent recruit class started on March 23, 2026. 

Murders matched a 10-year low in 2025. As of March 29, there have been no murders in Knoxville so far in 2026. Non-fatal shootings are down around 90 percent. 

KPD is preparing to launch a Drone as First Responder program. They be able to deploy semi-autonomous drones to provide real-time information to officers responding to calls for service. They are also planning to activate overt cameras in areas with more incidents requiring police assistance. 

More information is available about the KPD Real Time Information Center at https://knoxvilletnpolice.gov/real-time-information-center/

Frank Murphy interviews Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel, who was sworn in as Knoxville&rsquo;s 27th Chief of Police on June 13, 2022. Prior to assuming command of the Knoxville Police Department, Noel was a Deputy Superintendent at the New Orleans Police Department, where he served in numerous leadership roles for over 25 years.
After hiring over 100 recruits in 2025, KPD is back to full staffing levels for the first time in over a decade. The most recent recruit class started on March 23, 2026.&nbsp;
Murders matched a 10-year low in 2025. As of March 29, there have been no murders in Knoxville so far in 2026. Non-fatal shootings are down around 90 percent.&nbsp;
KPD is preparing to launch a Drone as First Responder program. They be able to deploy semi-autonomous drones to provide real-time information to officers responding to calls for service. They are also planning to activate overt cameras in areas with more incidents requiring police assistance.&nbsp;
More information is available about the KPD Real Time Information Center at https://knoxvilletnpolice.gov/real-time-information-center/

Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel

Frank Murphy interviews Kelsie Crittendon, Executive Director of Sunshine Services. Its mission is to provide person-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities that promote independence, inclusion, and empowerment to reach their personal vision of happiness and life satisfaction. Learn more at https://sunshineservicesknox.org/

A fundraiser titled Golden Hour: An Evening to Shine Forward will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Sunshine Services, 3000 N. Central Street, Knoxville from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. "Early Shine" tickets are $75 and are expected to sell out in advance. General Admission tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $100. Each ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar featuring beer and wine, along with access to the full Golden Hour experience, which includes live music, a live painting and an auction.

Recently, Sunshine had to close their long-standing workshop program.  In response, they established the Sunshine Transition Fund to support the individuals who were directly impacted by the workshop closure. The goal is to make sure each person has the resources and support they need as they transition into new opportunities. 

The Golden Hour event raises money for the Transition Fund to help provide employment transition support and job coaching, transportation support, skill-building and training opportunities, technology that supports independence and employment, and individualized transition planning.

Frank Murphy interviews Kelsie Crittendon, Executive Director of Sunshine Services. Its mission is to provide person-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities that promote independence, inclusion, and empowerment to reach their personal vision of happiness and life satisfaction. Learn more at https://sunshineservicesknox.org/
A fundraiser titled Golden Hour: An Evening to Shine Forward will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Sunshine Services, 3000 N. Central Street, Knoxville from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. "Early Shine" tickets are $75 and are expected to sell out in advance. General Admission tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $100. Each ticket includes heavy hors d&rsquo;oeuvres and an open bar featuring beer and wine, along with access to the full Golden Hour experience, which includes live music, a live painting and an auction.
Recently, Sunshine had to close their long-standing workshop program.&nbsp; In response, they established the Sunshine Transition Fund to support the individuals who were directly impacted by the workshop closure.&nbsp;The goal is to make sure each person has the resources and support they need as they transition into new opportunities.&nbsp;
The Golden Hour event raises money for the Transition Fund to help provide employment transition support and job coaching, transportation support, skill-building and training opportunities, technology that supports independence and employment, and individualized transition planning.

Sunshine Services

Frank Murphy interviews Celia Gruzalski, Executive Director of Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation and Clinic which provides its patients with evaluation and treatment for neurodegenerative dementia syndromes, including Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and other cognitive concerns. Learn more at https://tmdf.org/

TMDF supports health initiatives and educational empowerment through advancing early detection and precise diagnosis, leading regional clinical trials for Alzheimer’s and related diseases, driving statewide public health change, empowering future healthcare professionals, strengthening caregiver support and family resources, and providing hope and reducing stigma to the greater community. 

The second annual TMDF Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Egwani Farms.

Frank Murphy interviews Celia Gruzalski, Executive Director of Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation and Clinic which provides its patients with evaluation and treatment for neurodegenerative dementia syndromes, including Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, memory loss and other cognitive concerns. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://tmdf.org/">https://tmdf.org/</a>
TMDF supports health initiatives and educational empowerment through advancing early detection and precise diagnosis, leading regional clinical trials for Alzheimer&rsquo;s and related diseases, driving statewide public health change, empowering future healthcare professionals, strengthening caregiver support and family resources, and providing hope and reducing stigma to the greater community.&nbsp;
The second annual TMDF Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Egwani Farms.

A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministry

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