What a privilege it was for Memphis Medical News to interview Scott Morris, MD, of the Church Health Center (CHC) for this issue. If there’s anyone in tune with Memphis’ impoverished communities, it is Dr. Morris. He said something that really stuck with me. He quoted Jesus, who said, “The poor will always be with you.”
I think that we all have a well-intentioned but perhaps false hope that someday we’ll be able to completely eliminate poverty in Memphis. But as Dr. Morris stated, the number has grown since he began his mission and it continues to grow. Currently we have about 2,000 homeless people in Memphis on any given day. It is essential for Memphis to be equipped with sustainable programs to help those in need.
Sheneka was one of those homeless people. She was homeless as a child, and then as a teenager she found herself homeless and pregnant. Lucky for her, she reached out to Agape Child & Family Services. Their Families in Transition program (FIT) gave her “wraparound” services, support and “intentional” friendships. Her life turned around. She found full-time employment and housing and finished college -- graduating magna cum laude from the University of Memphis. Today, she is studying for the LSAT entrance exam for law school.
This is just one success story rising out of the Christian-centered ministry of Agape Child & Family Services. On April 1 of this year, they celebrated their 44th anniversary of partnering with local congregations, non-profits, corporations and other resources to serve the homeless, the fatherless and the under-resourced neighborhoods of Memphis.
Agape has three primary programs:
Adoption & Foster Care Services
Agape’s Adoption Support Center is the only one of its kind within a 200-mile radius of Memphis. It serves anyone touched by an adoption, whether it be the birth parents, the adoptive parents or the individuals who have been adopted. The mission is to help all those involved have healthy, successful families and relationships. This is a place for expectant mothers who are in crisis or facing an unplanned pregnancy to help them make difficult decisions about their future. Whether they choose to parent their child or have their child adopted, Agape provides the assistance that can make their choices succeed.
There are more than 1,100 children in the foster care system in Shelby County today. Writer Starra Neely Blade describes the needs of a foster child in this quote, “She did not want much, wanted very little; a kind word, sincerity, fresh air, clean water, a garden, kisses, books to read, sheltering arms, a cozy bed. And to love and be loved in return.”
Agape’s Foster Care Services makes sure children get what they need while their biological parents get back on their feet. Many things may contribute to birth parents being unable to care for their children: lack of financial resources, homelessness, substance abuse, employment obstacles. Regardless, parents like this can arrange for their children to enter temporary custody with Agape. And while Agape works to reunite these children with their biological parents, they provide them with a safe and nurturing home until their biological family gets back on their feet and can resume care.
Families in Transition (FIT)
FIT is an Agape program that helps single homeless pregnant women and other single parenting women find housing and get back on the road to self-sufficiency.
Some of the services they offer are:
Life skills classes
Case management
Personal and career development
Mentoring
Parenting classes
Substance abuse services
Many local congregations and organizations partner with Agape to make this program succeed. To see a full list of these partners, please go to:
www.agapemeanslove.org/families-transition-homeless-women
Powerlines Community Network
This is a unique, site-based service model for the city of Memphis, where Agape counselors and social workers have set up shop in three apartment complexes to serve those in need, where THEY LIVE. In Whitehaven, Agape is at Bent Tree and the Summit Park Apartments. In the Hickory Hill area of southeast Memphis, Agape is at the Autumn Ridge, Wingood Manor and Bella Vista apartment complexes. And in the Raleigh/Frayser area, Agape is at the Ashton Hill and Todd Creek Apartments.
By being on site in these communities, Agape staff can connect with residents, build trust and access needs so that they can offer Christ-centered services, education and advocacy, therefore truly transforming lives.
How Can You Help?
DONATE
Something as simple and affordable as a monthly donation of $25 ($300 annually) can make such a big difference in someone’s life. If you’re inclined to help Agape, here’s what that amount would do:
Fund three life skills classes for women Fund school supplies for six children Supply two weeks of emergency food Send three teens to Christian camp
You can donate online at http://www.agapemeanslove.org/donate/ or mail a check to: 111 Racine Street, Memphis, TN 38111.
VOLUNTEER
If you’re interested in volunteering in any of the Agape programs, there is a two-hour volunteer training session scheduled for May 29 at 5:30 p.m. To sign up, or for more information, please call Lori Humber at 901-323-3600, ext. 13.
ATTEND FUNDRAISING EVENTS
• Heartlight – August 15
Agape will host their 16th annual HeartLight event on Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church (8500 Walnut Grove Road). This year’s featured speaker will be world-renowned education reformer Dr. Geoffrey Canada, president/CEO and founder of Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ).
• Liz’s Ride for Agape – September 13
Many of you may know David LaVelle, MD, of Campbell Clinic. This event honors Dr. LaVelle’s daughter, who was tragically killed in 2010. Liz had a huge heart for orphaned children, and this event raises support and awareness for orphaned children.
Contact Tim Rainey at 901-378-1096 or Brian Hoover at 901-323-3600, ext. 13 for more information.
