(818) 707-5664 | [email protected]

KnoxvilleTest User2025-03-13T07:43:59-07:00

Joni and Friends Knoxville

We envision a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity and their place in the body of Christ.

Joni and Friends Knoxville

We envision a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.

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Joni and Friends Knoxville is honored to serve East Tennessee, Kentucky, and the country of Guatemala.

Directions
410 S Northshore Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919

Contact Us
(865) 540-3860
[email protected]

Upcoming Events

A group of four young people, three standing and one in a wheelchair, smile and walk together on a red running track surrounded by green trees on a sunny day.

Walk ‘N’ Roll & Wheelchair Collection Tennessee, Knoxville

April 27, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Two men wearing protective helmets, smiling and giving a thumbs up, with lush greenery in the background.

Tennessee Family Retreat 1 2025

July 13, 2025 - July 17, 2025

A family with six kids of various ages, some with disabilities, smiles for the camera. They are enjoying their time at Family Retreat.

Tennessee Family Retreat 2 2025

July 19, 2025 - July 23, 2025

View All Events

Leadership

WEB_AM_Circle_Lauren-Richardson

Lauren Richardson

Area Director

Lauren is a Knoxville native and loves the people and communities of East Tennessee. She has a B.S. in Special Education and has served in many roles within the community, including various ministries and churches. She is enthusiastic about connecting people by nurturing relationships, serving with teams to address practical needs, and encouraging friendship and community. She has a strong desire to help East Tennessee become a more welcoming, inclusive place for people living with disability.

Do You Need Support?

Are you looking for a disability friendly church near you?

Are you a church leader who wants your church to be a place where people with disabilities can fully belong?

Local Resources and Information

Volunteer

Joni and Friends volunteers make 98% of our ministry programming happen! Join us to bring hands-on help and Gospel hope to people with disabilities, at home and across the globe.

Volunteer with us!

Pray with us

Prayer and Praise

We invite you to join us in prayer for our ministry activities and outreaches.

How can we pray for you?

Share your prayer need with us today.

Stay up to date!

Sign up to receive weekly prayer reminders via email!

Local organizations

Partner Organizations:

Luke 14 Ministries
Larry LaPlue
(423) 839-9494
luke14ministries.net

Down Syndrome Awareness Group (DSAG)
Angie Holbert
(865) 202-8867
dsagtn.org

Friends of TN’s Babies with Special Needs
Katie Ellis
(965) 384-3480
helpingbabies.org

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
1 (800) 640-4636
tnpathfinder.org

disABILITY Resource Center
Katherine Moore
(865) 637-3666
drctn.org

Spark
Mary Thom Adams
(865) 219-0130
sparktn.org

Autism Breakthrough
Kendrise Colebrooke
(865) 247-0065

Emory Valley Center
Regina Wilson
(865) 483-4385
emoryvalleycenter.org

Koinonia Foundation
Martha Smith
(865) 888-7365 kftn.org

The Arc Knox County
Amy Stiles
(865) 546-9431
sunshinekcarc.org

Sertoma Center
Mike Smith
(865) 524-5555
sertoma.com

Cedar Brook Outreach
Lynette Prince, Sherry Stidham
(865) 690-0031
cedarbrookoutreach.org

Intern at Joni and Friends

We equip our interns to become leaders and advocates for people living with disabilities around the world.

Donate a manual wheelchair

Every manual wheelchair donated is the opportunity for someone to experience the love and hope of Jesus Christ!

Your tax-deductible donation of mobility equipment provides an opportunity for someone to attend school, church, and become part of their community.

Contact us about donating a wheelchair to Joni and Friends Missouri!

Fundraise for Joni and Friends

Get creative with your own fundraising event!

Apply to work at Joni and Friends

Find your calling through a career at Joni and Friends!

You can help us create a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ…

Current Openings

More Opportunities

Church Training

Community Events

Warrior Getaway

Marriage Getaway

Family Retreat

Support Groups & Bible Studies

Respite Care

International Volunteer Outreaches

Local News and Ministry Stories

Ellie and Molly hugging each other tightly and smiling at the camera.

March 14, 2025

God Weaves Stories of Love and Joy at Family Retreat

Ellie’s heart races as the first van pulls up to Family Retreat. It’s Ellie’s first time volunteering with Joni and Friends and she’s been paired...

Roseanne smiling happily at the camera while wearing a green shirt.

October 5, 2024

Discovering Love and Support at a Family Retreat

Nearly two decades ago, Shirley was faced with one of the biggest choices of her life. Her granddaughter, Roseanne, needed a primary caregiver...

October 18, 2023

Elizabeth is Sharing Hope with Other Families Living with Disability

Every donated wheelchair Joni and Friends receives comes with a story—many with a story of loss. But when a wheelchair is given, its original owner’s story...

Maribeth, her husband Chris and their two children.

August 14, 2023

Rediscovering God’s Goodness at Joni and Friends Retreats & Getaways

At twenty-five years old, Maribeth had big plans for her life: graduate from nursing school, work off school debt, have a healthy baby, and enjoy a “normal...

Matthew playing the keyboard and smiling.

March 15, 2023

Full Inclusion and Belonging in the Body of Christ

Our Joni and Friends Nashville team first saw Matthew as he played piano as an opener for a school play. The effects of Matthew’s autism make verbal...

January 23, 2023

Special Needs Families Find Belonging at Family Retreat in Tennessee

When Niki and Jason brought their four-year-old daughter Annabelle to Family Retreat, they did not know what to expect. They did, however, need rest...

Ministry Gallery

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