Category: New Directions of Knox County

TAC – The Teen Advisory Council hosts the most colorful race in Knox County

Several members of TAC of Knox County talked with WNZR about their annual Color for a Cause Race. This very colorful event is held every year to raise awareness of the Teen Advisory Council and their initiatives. Indra, Amaiyah, Madelyn and Truth shared their passion for reaching their peers throughout the year.

Click HERE to hear their conversations or click on the picture below.

TAC is a Knox County youth-led prevention team powered by passionate high school students committed to empowering their peers, engaging their schools and communities, and encouraging healthy choices, respectful relationships, and positive change. TAC members raise awareness, spark conversations, and lead initiatives to prevent dating violence, substance misuse, and suicide—before they begin. As ambassadors of healthy lifestyles, TAC youth use their voices, creativity, and leadership to influence their peers and promote safety, respect, and wellness. TAC is where teens build confidence, plan events, advocate for change, and prove that young people aren’t just the future—they are leaders right now.

Enjoy the conversations and see how these young leaders are living out these 3 goals – Empower. Engage. Encourage. TAC – Teens Leading Positive Change in Knox County.
Click HERE to find out more about TAC and stay connected to their activities.

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EmpowHER 2026: An Evening to Celebrate Women, Community, and the Power of Your Voice

Halle Krajenski, Director of Programs for New Directions, recently joined WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about one of the organization’s most anticipated events of the year—EmpowHER.

Click HERE for the full interview!

Having served in her role for just over 1 year, Halle oversees New Directions’ prevention team, which works directly in local schools to educate youth on healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs of unhealthy behavior, intervention strategies, and personal safety.

This year’s EmpowHER event takes place on Friday, March 13th at the Kenyon Lowry Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., giving guests time to shop a vendor marketplace featuring women-owned local businesses before dinner is served at 6:15 p.m. The evening continues with presentations and awards designed to uplift and amplify the voices of women and girls across Knox County.

Created in celebration of International Women’s Day, the EmpowHER Awards focus on empowerment, community, and celebration. The 2026 theme—“Vogue Presents: Where Your Voice Leads, Change Follows”—sets the tone for a night centered on confidence, leadership, and positive impact. Guests can also expect a full buffet dinner prepared by Kenyon by AVI, offering a wide variety of high-quality options.

Now in its fifth year, EmpowHER has grown into a highly anticipated annual celebration for New Directions. Halle says the event provides a dedicated time each year to intentionally empower women while bringing the community together in meaningful ways. Tickets are $75 for individuals, with half-table and full-table options available. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor spots are still open, though limited. Tickets, sponsorships, and vendor inquiries can be made by emailing empowhernewdirections@gmail.com, with payment options including Venmo, PayPal, or invoice.

Beyond EmpowHER, New Directions remains active year-round through awareness initiatives such as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and their annual summer Color Run.

Click HERE to learn more about the 2026 EmpowHER event!

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New Directions First Family Block Party!

New Directions of Knox County is doing something very exciting this year, and Callie Pillow, from New Directions, got to tell us all about it! They are having their first ever Family Block Party Fundraiser and it is going to be an exciting night.

Come out and enjoy live music, food trucks, activities, and more!

Callie tells us about everything happening at the Block Party and also shares background information on their shelter.

To learn more about the event, click HERE!

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WNZR talks with Lindsey Lamp, Executive Director of New Directions

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. New Directions wants to bring attention to this important issue.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with New Directions Executive Director, Lindsey Lamp about their recent Teal Walk and Kick-off of this special month. She shares the importance of this issue and how it is impacting our community. Lindsey talks about the signs of sexual assault and what to do if you are a victim or you suspect someone is in trouble.
She also shares the details about several special events planned for this month and the programs that New Directions offers year-round.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
If you need help, please call the 24/7 New Directions Crisis Hotline at 740-397-HELP (4357).
Find more information at http://www.newdirectionsknox.org

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WNZR talks with Margy Arck – 2025 EmpowHER Award Winner

EmpowHER Award Winner 2025
Margy Arck was the winner of the 2025 EmpowHER Award.
She was nominated by her daughter, Mandy Jemison.
Click HERE to hear Margy talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Margy shares how she felt when she received this award.
Margy talks about her daughter and her family. She has been serving in education for 30 years. She has been the Principal at Dan Emmett Elementary School for 23 years.

Margy shares how she is inspiring and influencing empowerment in others, especially in the field of education. She shares how she strives to encourages her staff and young women that are new teachers.
Margy talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.

EmpowHER Award:
This award is given to a Woman of Inspiration!
Belief is a powerful engine. This woman believes so strongly in the outcomes she seeks that her beliefs mold her path to get there. The recipient of this award champions for women in her network, workplace, and community. She is a team player and active mentor who paves the road to empowering women in leadership roles. She is a woman of inspiration that is true to herself, and her example is so noteworthy as to inspire others spontaneously. Her passion channels her actions and her voice as she strives to empower the women and girls of Knox County.

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WNZR talks with Kelly Welker – 2025 EmpowHER Raising the Bar Award Winner

EmpowHER Raising the Bar Award Winner 2025
Kelly Welker was the winner of the 2025 Raising the Bar Award.
She was nominated by her sister-in-law, Natalie Welker.
Click HERE to hear Kelly talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Kelly shares how she felt when she received this award.
Kelly is the Director of Operations at Mortellaro McDonalds. She has worked with McDonalds for 42 years! She oversees 8 different restaurants in 4 counties. She talks about her journey to this position. She also shares encouragement for young women who are just getting started in their careers.

Kelly talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.

Raising the Bar Award:
This award is given to a Woman with 20+ years of experience in their field! The recipient of this award is an extraordinary woman who has manifested a legacy that continues to inspire others. She has dedicated her life to the advancement of those around her and paved the way for the leaders of tomorrow. She is recognized as an ambassador for women through her extraordinary dedication, personal achievements, and service to others through mentorship, philanthropy, and business. This award recognizes a woman who has spent more than 20 years in her field.

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WNZR talks with Chris White 2025 EmpowHER Event Heart Award Winner

EmpowHER Event Heart Award Winner 2025
Chris White was the winner of the 2025 Heart Award.
She was nominated by Lauren Lochotzki, Director of Survivor Services at New Directions of Knox County.
Click HERE to hear Chris talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Chris shares how she felt when she received this award.
Chris is on the front line as the Director of the Emergency Department and directs the Forensics Program at Knox Community Hospital. She has been serving at KCH for 20 years and has served in healthcare for 32 years. She talks about how to face a day in the ER where things are challenging and rewarding.

Chris talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.

Heart Award:
This award is given to a Front-Line worker! The Heart Award was born out of COVID19 and the need to acknowledge greater endeavors in support of our humanity with a focus on others over self. This woman has a commitment and passion for service while making an impact and leads with purpose. She has dedicated her life as a successful front-line worker. She has proven her endless dedication to her field.

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WNZR talks with Nature McPeek – 2025 EmpowHER Event Grit and Grace Award Winner

EmpowHER Event Grit and Grace Award Winner 2025
Nature McPeek was the winner of the 2025 Grit and Grace Award.
She was nominated by her daughter, Kelcy Fowler.
Click HERE to hear Nature talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Nature shares how she felt when she received this award.
Nature shares about her children and that they have been through a difficult journey. She talks about how she finds strength (the grit and grace) as a single Mom. She also gives advice to single Moms in our community.

Nature talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.

Grit and Grace Award:
This award is given to a single-parent mom who has overcome adversity and demonstrates resilience. She has transformed her life and the lives of her children with dignity and grace. She leads by example. She is a picture of selflessness and courage to all who encounter her.

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WNZR talks with Kristi Klinkner – 2025 EmpowHER Event Vision Builder Award Winner

EmpowHER Event Vision Builder Award Winner 2025
Click HERE to hear Kristi talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Kristi Klinkner was the winner of the 2025 Vision Builder Award.
She was nominated by her accountant, Winnie Skinner.
Kristi shares how she felt when she received this award.
She talks about her journey from finance into opening a beauty salon. This was a huge career change for her. Her main goal is to help young women breaking into cosmetology to grow and flourish.

Vision Builder Award:
Vision shapes our future. The recipient of this award is a woman with less than 10 years of experience in her field who has wasted no time making an impact and breaking down barriers. She emphasizes building honest relationships, values input, has the mindset of a leader, and leads by example with an immense amount of courage. She has valued what she’s learned from her mentors and wants to pay it forward as a mentor to others. She is changing the landscape in which women serve.


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WNZR talks with 2025 EmpowHER Event Scholarship Winner Kennedy Auker

EmpowHER Event Scholarship Winner Kennedy Auker 2025
Click HERE to hear Kennedy talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Kennedy is a senior at Mount Vernon High School and attends the Knox County Career Center.
She is taking Landscape Design at KCCC. She plans to attend Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster to major in sustainable agriculture. She wants to take over the family farm in the future.

She is the winner of a Girl Power Scholarship of $2,500!
She submitted an essay based on a quote from Sheila Murray Bethel. She wrote on how she uses her Girl Power to empower others. Kennedy talks about the many organizations that she is involved in and how she strives to involve others and help them work together to serve the community.

She talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.

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