Knox Area Rescue Ministries

The staff steals people's stuff. If you leave it somewhere and you go back they have already taken it and they sell it at KARM Thrift Stores. They are evil. Their food is horrifying. I don't know how they have a catering business ever. It's disgusting. They do provide shelter at night and some of the day.

Fascists who hate queer people and abuse their homeless beneficiaries.

To begin with I have contributed to KARM over the years and have thought of it as a good charity. Last week we had a family member who lost is place to live and needed a place to get his life turned around. We took him to KARM thinking it's the best place to help. Well it turns out once dropped off there you can no longer get any information about the person. They will not even say
that the person is there. So unless the person has a cell phone or calls a family member they may be back out on the street and your left in the dark. You can apparently go walk around KARM and look for them but that is it. We did not know this going in and just want others to have this information.

Ok so my family and I were homeless for most part of the 2022 year. Everyday we had to come up with the motel money of $95.00 so that my 2 minor daughters wouldn't be out on the street or in the cold weather. We literally stayed at like the very worst motel right on merchants bc it was only place we could afford without having to pay additional locals deposit of like $100.0 extra. I was signed up with CAC homeward bound, sign up with family promise, the shelters, etc. And I've made numerous attempts to speak to an advocate at KARM, bc I've heard the offer gift cards for store use to homeless families, but I will tell you this now, nope they do not offer anything in any of the stores for newly moved in families that have absolutely nothing when finding housing. The coat for cold vouchers are only for a few of their worst coats. And yes just like everyone says they have the highest prices of anywhere. And their store policy of buying a piece of furniture that you don't pick up that day they take your money for that item and put it back on the floor to be sold again. And absolutely the individuals working in the stores are super crapping with their customer services skills. And if you ask for homeless help they joke round and act like they have no clue who to tell u to call. Really like you business office. It's a shame. And honestly word on the street is exactly that this whole company is a fake the people high up in company are constantly stealing from the company and always from donars!?!

Karma ministries does nothing but want to start wars and steal your belongings and throw you back out on the street where they follow you around with their slander and try to keep you beat down so they can control you and you can't get back on your feet they will help you with clothes and then take them back after they throw you out along with everything else you have

I was the founder, director for Noah's Ark for 14 years before attending Johnson Bible College. Knox Rescue Ministry refused to give costs to the homeless men staying at my shelter. I personally went to their thrift store and offered $5 dollars a piece for thier coats, they refused telling me that wasn't enough. The girl was arrogant and rude. DO NOT DONATE to these people. Go to a Karm and look at the high prices on the DONATED clothing. Drive past their mission place and see all the people sleeping on the side walk. Look at the expensive building and talk black fence to keep the poor OUT. The one's that are deemed qualified to spend the night sleep on their filthy cots and then turned out in the cold,rain,heat at 6 a.m. NONE of the homeless I've helped, talked to want to go to Karm, they say they would rather stay on the streets. I have documented several former workers at theirware houses that stated the "people at the top" take the expensive furniture DONATED home with them for family, friends and others. I met a gentlemen when I was set up raising funds that was very angry after he DONATED 50 new mattress box spring sets still in the wrappers only to find out they had been sold privately, never again, he said. Many of their thrift stores have installed expensive lock down covering on their dumpster so the poor cannot get things they have thrown away,they would rather take it to the landfill. If you call them for help they always tell you they have no funds, call a church your told. This place received an enormous amount of. DONATED money and handed for free the items to stock their large stores. Good people want to believe the poor are being taken care of, THEY ARE NOT. THE HIGHER UP'S ARE GETTING RICH AS THE POOR SUFFER. I recently heard on the news someone was arrested for embezzlement. The worst of it is it has all done IN THE NAME OF GOD. It isn't difficult to find the poor now a days. put
your help directly into their hands. Call your mayor and demand that the homeless be provided what they really need, A HOME. THE CORRUPT MINISTRIES DON'T WANT THAT, IT WOULD PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS. Thank you, DEBORAH

I have volunteered at Knox Area Rescue Ministry for about 10 years. I see the staff working hard to try and help the homeless, those caught in addiction, stranded travelers, and many more. They have a newl program called Launch to help empower the homeless to get back on their feet. Often when I am there every week, someone comes in who is homeless for the first time. They are scared, confused and overwhelmed. We help them find community resources to get back on their feet, provide them warm meals and a helping hand. I had a young man come in this week who had been paying rent to friends and come to find out they weren't paying the rent and all of them were evicted. He tried living in his car for four days and finally came to KARM. He was cold, scared and hungry. We provided him food immediately, a place to stay and will refer him to another agency for more help. No organization is perfect, but I see people who really care about helping those down and out on their luck.

KARM has gone from being a Mission of Hope to a Mission of MONEY. They were donated Toys from the Toys from Tots to be given to the children at the mission BUT KARM decided to SELL THEM for profit. If you have any doubt about this here is a link for you to see http://www.wate.com/story/16387413/donated-toys-for-tots-pulled-from-karm-thrift-store-shelves now are you going to believe a Military organization or a organization that got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. This isn't the first time I have seen something of this nature. Read the reviews on this link and I have donated coats to the Coats for Cold campaign and then seen them on the sales floor FOR SALE. I dropped them off in the box and the next day they were for sale at a price even more than I paid for the coats. There are so many stories of the greed and lack of Jesus in their organization anymore it is truly a sad day for Knoxville. Don't waste your time or your money because they MAKE MILLIONS a year. MILLIONS and then ask for more ! Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

KARM has spiraled out of control and chaos now is a daily occurrence in the "Mission District". KARM was formed as an emergency shelter but now is more of a flop house. Even KARM refer to those seeking shelters as residents. KARM once was a vital link that brought the homeless to resources that would then refocus their life and a better living. Now its just a place to seek a meal and a place to sleep. NO conditions, anyone, even the criminals on the run seek refuge there. KARM even has a policy that allows those that are homeless can sleep there but during the day the day they must leave. They wonder our neighborhoods breaking into our homes and cars, ward off customers with their aggressive panhandling and have affected the downtown and west sectors of town by luring hundred of homeless to Knoxville from all across the country. Then while the homeless eat beans on Tuesday night, directors and several other take home enormous salaries, salaries donated by kind hearted people then skimmed off the backs of the homeless. North Knoxville residents are ashamed of the state of affairs at our Mission. We are truly saddened.

The CEO, Burt Rosen makes 6 figures from this homeless organization. The "residents" of KARM are simply warehoused with no mandatory case management, contrary to other homeless organizations. The residents take up sidewalk space outside the building.

Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) is a wonderful place for emergency shelter for men, women and families, which includes a shower, clean beds, and three meals a day and free hair cuts by local cosmetologists. Their men and women's recovery programs include Bible-based teachings, mentors, classes covering many aspects of daily living, on-job training, and the Abundant Life Kitchen classes turning students into chef-material. We are impressed with this organization because they take NO Federal funds. This way they are allowed to introduce those they serve not only to a clean place to sleep and eat, but they do it in the 'name of Jesus'. For 2 1/2 years, my husband and I have served lunch meals every Monday, become volunteers on other occasions/events, and are excited to attend graduations of those in the recovery programs. We have a lot of respect for the staff and other volunteers; and have come to love the residents and overnight guests. Many of them have become our friends. We encourage them, pray with them, laugh and cry with them.

I have been a high impact volunteer at KARM for about 2 1/2 years . I started with an encounter meeting and was very excited about helping the needy. I began working in the Admin. Department one day a week. I love secretarial work and enjoy the challenges that come my way. My co-workers are wonderful, loving, and enthusiastic people who love the Lord with all their hearts. Last year I helped with the Tent of Hope on Thanksgiving Day and watched as many folks sat together to share a wonderful meal and companionship with each other. There are many opportunities to help at KARM. All it takes is a phone call and a willing spirit to help the downtroden. I enjoy being a part of this wonderful organization.

I have been involved with KARM as a 'high impact volunteer' since my 'acceptance' in November 2008. I love every moment I get to spend with the individuals at KARM, clients and staff alike. The mission of KARM and the programs they offer truly change lives. The word 'transform' is one I consistently think of. Awesome.

I volunteer once a week at the welcome center at KARM. To see the staff interaction with the clients in helping them find employment, housing, health care is uplifting. But what I truly enjoy is seeing each of the homeless clients being treated with love, dignity and respect. The first day they arrive they are given hope. One man looked completely dejected while I was there. The staff determined his concern about having a surgery scheduled for a kidney removal, and then having to recover while on the street. The staff found means of providing this man a bed and place to recover following his surgery. And then to my great delight, the next time I came in to volunteer, I discovered this gentleman had been placed in permanent housing. With over 200 homeless people a day coming through the welcome center at KARM, the personal touch provided to these people is a Godsend.

From the day I toured KARM, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of "hope" that prevails. Clients are hopeful, volunteers are hopeful, staff is hopeful, the programs and services are hopeful. Who couldn't use more of that? KARM doesn't "just" provide for the physical needs of clients, but they attempt to provide for the eventual transition from their current situation to one of living as normal a life as the rest of us do. They offer recovery programs, social services counseling, job skills training. They are the hands and feet of Jesus in a world so lacking. They offer, to those willing to accept it, dignity and salvation. I had had previously volunteered with an organization that seemed to want to maintain the status quo of those they served, as if to keep themselves alive. KARM isn't doing that. They have many success stories, many former clients are active in the organization, giving back. I can't say enough good things about KARM! Having attended the 50th Jubilee Celebration, I know that I am not alone in my sentiments. BRAVO, KARM! Your efforts help me be hopeful too!

I have lived in east Tennessee all my life and often heard about Knox Area Rescue Ministries through church or a radio announcement. I thought it was just a place for the homeless to get a hot meal and bed for the night. My church was involved with serving a meal with KARM and that left me wanting more information. After attending a KARM Encounter information meeting I wanted to be involved. That was about four years ago, and at that time I thought my wife and I showed great courage volunteering. Now we know the courageous people are the ones who make the commitment required to change their way of life. We see this change come about because of the power of God yes, but also a KARM staff that expects, desires and does an excellent work making a positive impact for the kingdom of God!

I have been volunteering at Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) for last couple of years. During that time I have seen many homeless individuals helped in various ways. Food and shelter are only part of the story at KARM. Through its Crossroads Center KARM helps connect needy people with various agencies and resources that are available in the city. The Restoration Education component of the minstry helps individuals break free from lives of addiction and self destructive behaviors. As a Christian ministry KARM's focus is restoring lives in Jesus' name. This ministry certainly lives up to that objective.

KARM is a great organization. They help to feed and cloth any person who walks in their doors.