The short answer is “very well.” We are seeing the power of thoughtful collaboration yielding positive results for children and families in South Memphis.
Since last fall, more than 30 organizations—including schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, workforce leaders, and neighborhood groups—have been participating in this effort. We, at Seeding Success, work to align partners, track progress, and ensure everyone is moving toward shared goals.
The initiative is also supported by the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, which serves as the fund manager and place-based intermediary, ensuring resources are aligned with community needs.
Increased coordination in South Memphis has already led to useful interventions. Workforce and economic development partners created the Pathway Fund, which provides stipends of up to $2,000 to residents participating in workforce training programs to help alleviate barriers such as childcare, utilities, housing, or transportation costs. Additionally, four new workforce pathways are now available through Tech901 and Good People Inc., increasing the availability of high quality workforce options.
K-12 partners have been working on a Community Schools approach, which turns schools into hubs for the resources and services students and their families need. For example, when access to arts education was identified as a need, New Ballet Ensemble launched weekly dance instruction at Believe Memphis Academy, Soulsville Charter School, and Memphis Delta Prep at no cost to the schools. Importantly, schools within the SMZ have reported decreased out-of-school rates from the previous year and overall attendance on the rise.
We also partnered with University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC) to open the Soulsville Health Hub. Health coaches in the Soulsville area are empowering residents to get the preventive and primary care they need. Staff can refer people to other primary care providers or provide primary care on site, which is a critical service in an area with a severe shortage of healthcare providers.
Overall, the true impact of the work in South Memphis is more than the sum of its parts. The SMZ pilot is not a collection of programs, but an integrated coalition of residents, teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, social workers, data analysts, researchers, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and the local government rolling up their sleeves and working together. This work is fueled by shared data, continuous communication, and common goals to break down silos and deliver. Imagine what more can be done in all of Memphis and Shelby County with the right resources, the right partners, and the right ideas. We hope to continue working with our public and private partners to make the dream of More For Memphis a reality for all.
