COMMITTED TO EAST AREA FAMILIES
Proposed East Area Ministry Complex
Emerald Youth has engaged with city young people and their families for more than three decades, and specifically in East Knoxville since 1996. Among other efforts, the initial presence was at Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, and work with Mount Zion Baptist Church dates to 2005.
Emerald Youth desires to replicate a program model in East Knoxville that would be similar to the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex in Lonsdale. Community leaders in East Knoxville have asked for this type of investment since the facility in Lonsdale opened.
In summer 2024, Emerald Youth responded to the City of Knoxville's Request for Proposal (RFP) to redevelop a portion of underutilized vacant land on the south side of Magnolia Avenue, located adjacent to and within the Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center.
In fall 2024, the City selected Emerald Youth to take the next step and proceed with contract negotiations.
A Purchase and Development Agreement will go before Knoxville City Council on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Read more about the RFP process here.
Download Community Engagement Flyer
Watch comments about the project from Steve Diggs, Emerald Youth President & CEO, and Dr. Keith Gray, Emerald Youth Board of Trustees' Chair, at the May 2, 2025 Emerald Youth Prayer Breakfast.
Key Program Initiatives in East Knoxville
Church Youth, Worship Arts & Afterschool Ministry
High School to Young Adult Ministry
E.V. Davidson Community Center Pool
Youth Sports Ministry including baseball, basketball, golf, performance training, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball and wrestling
Emerald Youth East Area Community Engagement Committee
Back, L to R: Andrew J. Jackson, John Wright, Dennis Upton, Elvyn Davidson, Alvin Nance
Front, L to R: Cynthia Finch, Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook (Chair), Cicely Henderson
Not Pictured: Mayor Daniel Brown and Eric Washington
