Justice Knox
John Mark Wiggers • July 2, 2021

On Monday, June 14, 141 Justice Knox Network Members from our 18 faith community members gathered on the front lawn of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Fountain City and via Zoom to hold our annual Celebration with a boxed dinner, updates on the four community problems that Justice Knox has been addressing, and the annual Investment Drive kick off. 


There were 21 folks from St. James present in person and a few folks who attended via Zoom. This was our largest group at a Celebration to date.

To give a thumbnail sketch of the work that has been done since our Nehemiah Action Assembly in May:
  • Affordable Housing-The city council approved an affordable housing trust fund by unanimous vote at the two readings of the ordinance which commits the city to providing at least $5M each year for the next ten years to support the affordable housing trust fund.
  • Public Transportation-Justice Knox leaders met with Isaac Thorne, the new KAT director to discuss creating an agreement with a provider of “last mile to work” coverage.
  • Mental Health committee continues to try to engage Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs since the county mayor officeholder is well positioned to lead the stakeholders in co-ordination city and county affordable housing efforts, and we want the county mayor to commit county funds to addressing affordable housing.
  • Education-Knox County School Superintendent Bob Thomas has agreed to meet with representatives from the International Institute of Restorative Practice (IIRP), and the calendar dance to find a meeting time for Superintendent Thomas, IIRP representatives, and Justice Knox leaders is in process.


The Justice Knox board had set a goal of $60,000 for this year’s investment drive. As of the Celebration, we had commitments/pledges for $53,650, and $38,020.81 had been turned by the end of the evening.


Each year Justice Knox Network Members are asked to consider an investment of $200 in the work. This is only a suggested amount: some folks can give less than that amount and some can give more. The important thing about an investment in Justice Knox is that it is a meaningful amount to you or your family. Individually, none of us could have brought the affordable housing trust fund into being; our collective Justice Knox membership helped to get city officials’ attention and the trust fund into being. 


Likewise, individually, none of us can fund the work of Justice Knox; our collective investments create the funds to pay our organizers, Marjorie Thigpen-Carter and Hashu Watson, and to pay for training for Justice Knox Network Members to be trained as leaders. 


Our annual House Meetings as part of the Listening Process will begin in September. 


If you have any questions or if you are ready to join our Justice Knox ministry, please contact The Rev. John Mark Wiggers at 865.523.5687, or Margaret Bickley at 865.384.7422. 

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