Five Points celebrating a Winter Wonderland

KNOXVILLE — Five Points is having its first ever Winter Wonderland event on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The event is free and open to anyone who lives, works and plays in the Five Points community.

The event is being hosted by Five Points Up, a community-led group designed to beautify and unify Five Points and East Knoxville.

Five Points Up Winter Wonderland will feature local church choirs and performers. Holiday treats, such as hot chocolate and apple cider, will be provided to the Five Points community at no cost.

“This event is for Five Points community members to come out, enjoy themselves, and realize that there are positive things happening right here where they live,” said Tanisha Baker, Five Points Up member and Project Grad Austin-East team lead.

Five Points Up works to increase the sense of community in the Five Points neighborhood through local activities and events. This community-led group hopes to improve the health of those living and working in the area through these efforts.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, promoting meaningful community participation builds trust and relationships among neighbors, empowering them to become advocates for their communities. Neighborhood involvement produces a wide variety of benefits, including mobilizing the community to reach health-related goals and empowering residents to change behaviors and improve health outcomes.

In 2010, the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) secured grant funding through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to engage three at-risk neighborhoods to address environmental barriers to good health. KCHD is continuing this evidenced-based work in Five Points and other targeted neighborhoods by providing staff support and facilitation to neighborhood organization.

Published December 6, 2014