Jennifer Kirst, Food Distribution Manager for Second Harvest of East Tennessee, extends her thanks to all those who volunteered in helping distribute food boxes on June 7th.
This partnership effort is co-sponsored and supported by the Hamblen County NAACP, HOLA Lakeway, Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity and is being hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church on Cherokee Drive the first Tuesday of each month.
The next Mobile Food Pantry will be held on July 5th.
Thanks to all for this outpouring of compassion and assistance to families in Hamblen County.
The Mobile Food Pantry hosted by Second Harvest, HOLA Lakeway, the Hamblen County Chapter of the NAACP and Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity distributed 300 food boxes on November 2nd! Thank you helpers and distributors! There were a number of young people from Second Harvest who cheered our hearts! The event was held at the offices of HOLA Lakeway. The next Mobile Food Bank will be held on December 7. Below are some photos from November.
There are 14 parks and/or greenways in the Morristown Parks system. Eight of the parks have playgrounds.
Dr. Martin Luther King Park is located at 350 W. Ninth North Street, sits on eight acres at the top of a hill. The view is almost 360 degrees and from the entrance of the park. one can see Clinch Mountain and the Cumberland Gap.
The park is very amenable to family activities. There is a pavilion and picnic facilities a short walking trail, a seasonal butterfly garden, restrooms and a playground with one piece of equipment. It is used by families and church groups for reunions, birthday parties and other events. One thing that could improve the experience would be additional equipment to accommodate children with disabilities.
MTFD is currently receiving donations to provide two swings for children with disabilities. If you wish to support this effort, please send donations to Morristown Task Force on Diversity c/o Rose Center, 442 W 2nd N St, Morristown, TN 37814.
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https://www.morristown-diversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/MTFDLogoHw.png00Carolynhttps://www.morristown-diversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/MTFDLogoHw.pngCarolyn2016-01-07 22:46:132019-07-04 04:28:42Playground at MLK Park
HIDDEN TREASURES ACADEMY HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Hidden Treasures Academy, Inc. is a private, post-secondary educational program for high-functioning adults with intellectual disabilities. In their program, they combine applied academics, job-skills and life-skills classes with social and recreational activities while nurturing individual and spiritual growth to students within their program. Not only do students discover the hidden treasures within themselves, but they also have the opportunity to share those treasures with peers and others within our community.
One of those community opportunities comes by way of a partnership with the UT Extension Institute of Agriculture, All Saints Episcopal Church and a few of the Morristown Master Gardeners as they develop a Horticulture Certification Program exclusively for HTA students.
This hands-on program will expand student’s knowledge, skills, and enjoyment of horticulture. The purpose of the program is to build entry-level skills needed to further career opportunities for each student.
ADA approved beds will be built on All Saints Episcopal Church property this fall and planting will start Spring 2016. Funding for this program has been provided in part by grants from the Morristown Task Force on Diversity and the Modern Woodmen of America Fraternal Financial.
Each year, members of the Task Force review and select one or more, age and grade level appropriate books for children and youth which focus on diversity, resolving differences, creating respect and community building.
Copies of the book (or books) are then contributed to the libraries of the eleven elementary schools, the four Middle Schools and the two high schools in the Hamblen County School District. In addition, we place a copy of each book chosen in the Morristown-Hamblen Library.
2016 Books for School Libraries:
This year’s book selection for Elementary Schools is “The Flat People and the Round People” written by local author, Claudia Ware.
This is a beautifully illustrated book in which the flat people and the round people live on opposite sides on town and do not speak to one another because they are different. The story unfolds when one brave little boy decides to cross over to the other side of town.
…The Civil War and Emancipation: (Under construction)
…The Civil Rights Movement: (Under Construction)
Please note that there are books (and films) on these lists which are beloved classics and which may be cherished by many.
There are also books (and films) listed for High School students or adults which may be controversial and which do include violence of many types. Some may contain offensive language or situations. The history of people is a history of those in power perpetuating violence on those who are not in power. This can be in the form of language and bullying. It can be physical, beatings, incarceration, segregating people in certain areas or on reservations. It can include the rebellion of people against oppression and that is often violent. It includes the closing of economic opportunity and the rejection of certain cultural behaviors important to people outside the “us.” This is the situation of those who are different from the insider culture. For others, the situation itself or the perspective presented by the book may be challenging or even disturbing.
In regard to the adult reading list, we seek to list contemporary reading of note. These will not be easy reading for anyone. We urge readers not to bypass these books. Instead, we urge readers to gather for book discussions in order to process what you are reading.
The reality of our world is that in order to build community and the quality of life for all, we must identify our differences and confront the challenges that are part of the different cultural pools in which we swim.
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https://www.morristown-diversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/MTFDLogoHw.png00Carolynhttps://www.morristown-diversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/MTFDLogoHw.pngCarolyn2015-11-19 18:08:202019-09-21 21:53:15Books for Libraries
Morristown Task Force on Diversity (MTFD) maintains certain projects on an ongoing basis and is involved in partnerships with several other area groups as a major stakeholder. For more information click on the headings below.
Books for Libraries: Each year, MTFD selects a book focusing on diversity, inclusion and community building and contributes copies of those books to the libraries of the four Hamblen County Middle Schools and to the eleven elementary schools in our school district.
Hidden Treasures Garden Project:Hidden Treasures Academy is creating partnerships with several area organizations, including MTFD, in their effort to establish a horticultural credentialing project for those who attend the academy.
Morristown Parks and Recreation Playground Support: MTFD is raising funds in support of the installation of playground equipment for children with disabilities at the Martin Luther King Park, 350 W 9th Street. The park is city owned and has a wonderful view, picnic facilities, a permanent Butterfly Garden and playground equipment, but could better serve children with emotional, physical or social disabilities. We want to add value, joy and opportunities for children who are other-abled to play together.
2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Awards:Each year, Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity solicits nominations from area residents for three community awards. We want to help lift up those whose unselfish service shines as reminders that the ongoing work of bringing hope and justice into the world is our calling.
If you know someone who has made significant and public contributions in any of the three categories, we invite you to nominate that person by virtue of a letter of recommendation. Members of the Task Force will review every nomination and select the honorees. They will be presented with their award at the 2017 MLK Community Breakfast and Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2017.
Morristown Task Force on Diversity has been involved with a number of projects since our establishment in 2008. In some cases, we are sole sponsor and in other cases, we serve as co-sponsors with other groups.
In 2013, we set out to align ourselves with the Martin Luther King National Day of Service. You will find some pages on this website which reflect that effort.
In 2014, we sponsored a black and white photographic exhibit at the Rose Center displaying scenes of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The display remained at the Rose Center during February of that year.
This year, 2015, we co-sponsored a six week event titled Latino Lakeway Celebration. There were seminars focused on the Bracero Project, a guest worker program sponsored by the Federal Government from 1942- 1964. There was an art exhibit showcasing the art of area artists and a play based upon the books, Esperanza Rising.
Most recently, we supported the work of HC*Excell and joined with others, including the local newspaper in bringing four pioneers in the Freedom Rider movement to Morristown. During the five days they were present they made public presentations as well as speaking to Middle and High School students about their experiences as non-violent workers in the Civil Rights Movement.
A tri-fold brochure sharing information about some of our projects may be downloaded here.2016 Brochure
HIDDEN TREASURES ACADEMY HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM