WHAT WE DO

The Camp Koinonia Foundation betters lives and strengthens families through camping programs and community integration.

Populations Served

The Koinonia Foundation serves individuals with disabilities across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We work with participants who may experience physical, developmental, intellectual, or sensory disabilities. The population we serve is diverse in strengths, needs, and goals, and our programs are designed to promote inclusion, independence, personal growth, and community connection.

POPULATIONS SERVED<br />

Programs

The Koinonia Foundation provides a variety of programs designed to support, empower, and engage individuals with disabilities. These programs include recreational and social opportunities, educational workshops, skill-building activities, and community-based events that promote inclusion and independence. Each program is created with accessibility in mind and tailored to meet the diverse interests and goals of participants, fostering both personal growth and meaningful community connections.

KFTN History

THE HISTORY OFKoinonia Foundation of Tennessee

2001
2001

Founding

The Camp Koinonia Foundation was incorporated in 2001 to support the continued provision of the existing University of Tennessee Camp Koinonia program. During the first ten years of the foundation, the board of directors in conjunction with the founding executive director, Dr. Gene Hayes, worked to grow the camp program and establish a foundation for continued support through the University of Tennessee.
2014
2014

Foundation board of directors approved

In 2014, the Foundation board of directors approved several changes focused on the expansion of the Foundation’s focus beyond it’s continuing support for the University of Tennessee Camp Koinonia program. In addition to voting to change its name to the Koinonia Foundation, the board voted to begin preparation for hiring an executive director and developing a vision and mission centered on expanded services for special needs individuals 21 years in age and older.
2015
2015

Retained the services of Ruth Patrick

In 2015, we retained the services of Ruth Patrick, a seasoned not-for-profit executive with over 30 years of experience in developing and growing not-for-profit foundations as our executive director.

2016
2016

Ruth’s leadership we have begun

In 2016, through Ruth’s leadership we have begun to offer our first round of expanded services, and we have developed an aggressive growth and development plan to begin the offering a broader range of services to the 21 and older special needs community.

2022
2022

Koinonia Classroom is started

In 2022, Koinonia Classroom was developed after two years of virtual camp was completed due to COVID. Teachers reached out stating they love the program but would like it to be more academically focused. 2022 was our first year with the Koinonia Classroom program, serving Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties.

2024
2024

Koinonia Is growing

In 2024, we saw a large amount of growth within our We Adapt programs and Koinonia Classroom. We significantly increased We Adapt events to happen multiple times a month as well as growing to 9 counties for Classroom.