The Hope for Memphis Fund awarded its first grants to Advance Memphis and Families Matter.

Advance Memphis is an economic development ministry serving adults in the Foote and Cleaborn Housing Projects on Vance Avenue.  Advance offers “soft” job skills training, financial literacy and GED classes, and on-the-job training in an out-sourced manufacturing operation on the premises. Made in partnership with the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation, the grant will fund an additional staff person to increase the ministry’s capacity and improve effectiveness.

Families Matter is a partnership of Christ Community Health Services, Agape Child & Family Services, and Christian Psychological Center.  Its mission is to increase awareness of the value of marriage and the skills needed to grow a healthy family.  Made in partnership with the Lansky Foundation and Second Presbyterian Church Foundation, the grant will be used to hire an executive director to restart this ministry.

The two initial areas of focus for the Hope for Memphis Fund are to empower and strengthen existing Christian ministries in Memphis as well as to promote and encourage servant leadership.