New Building Project

 The mission of Sanctuary Community Action is to improve the quality of life of the people in the Eastern Knox County area by providing and coordinating health, education and social services. 

Sanctuary Community Action is 501C3 non-profit faith based organization that began serving the community of Eastern Knox County over fifteen years ago. Sanctuary Community Action was initiated by the Association of Danville Area Ministers (ADAM), however it is a community based non-profit directed by members of the general community of Eastern Knox County to better coordinate health, education and assistance for all residents in the area.  The original purpose of the organization was to centralize emergency assistance by providing Interchurch Social Services of Knox County a location to serve the community of Eastern Knox County in need of emergency assistance with food and clothing, as well as financial support.

Today Sanctuary Community Action provides a facility for Danville Branch of Interchurch Social Services but has also partnered with several agencies to serve residents in various capacities in the areas of health, education and social services.

Sanctuary Community Action’s approach to community outreach is of a holistic nature, focusing on needs of individuals and families of all ages and economic backgrounds.  Sanctuary Community Action invites and provides space to agencies who in turn provide the services unique to their organization for residents of Eastern Knox County. 

Sanctuary Community Action coordinates several programs with providers of specific services; for eg: LifeLine Screening, Mobile Mammogram Unit, Safety Town for kindergarten children, Amish Safety Day as well as three important programs funded through the Knox county senior services levy-- Home Delivered Meals, Homemaker Services and Lawn mowing program for individuals 60 years of age and older.

Sanctuary Community Action is moving forward with exciting plans for the future.  Assessment of our current property, a 117 year old former church building, determined that it was not financially feasible to repair and/or renovate the current facility.  The Board of Directors of Sanctuary Community Action recognized that there was a need for a larger, more functional facility, one that is totally handicapped accessible. Architectural plans are in place and renovation has begun on the house located on the south side of the current Sanctuary building.  Times have changed since those early days of service to the community, needs have increased and the vision has grown. 

Even during these difficult economic times, the Eastern Knox County community has been supportive of this project, recognizing the importance of the work and track record of Sanctuary Community Action.  All social and economic levels of people have become involved in the building project, providing funds and in-kind services in a variety of ways.  A local architect has donated his time and skills, an individual with a corporate background is organizing the overall project, a local business man and entrepreneur is in charge of fund raising and a Danville area farmer experienced in coordinating building projects has assumed responsibility of the actual building project, all as in-kind services.  Contractors doing the actual construction and renovation work are local to Eastern Knox County and have contributed various portions of their work as well.

The new facility will provide additional space to build on these programs. Our services directly address children and their needs, but also seek to support families in the areas such as of job skill training, parenting skills and family health. Upon completion of the building project we anticipate adding services such as family mental health, after school programs and summer lunch programs for children.  Collaboration with Knox County Head Start will also provide additional services specific to children.  Adding these programs to the present health services provided by Knox County Health Department’s current WIC, children’s immunization clinics and Safety Town for children entering kindergarten make Sanctuary Community Action’s approach to reaching out to families in the community a holistic endeavor.

Phase I of the building project, completely remodeling the adjacent house, is underway. 

Sanctuary Community Action also provides space for the Danville Branch of Interchurch, an agency that offers food, clothing and financial assistance to families. Danville Branch of Interchurch also manages a Thrift Shop which is open to everyone.  Items in the shop are all donated by residents desiring to provide an opportunity for others to purchase, clean used clothing, linens, household items, toys, etc.  Additional funds are required to continue with Phase II, to provide a new center for the Danville Branch of Interchurch.  Our goal is to complete construction by fall of 2011.

To see the pictures of the before and projected facilities, click here.

To view project details and contribution form, click here.