Slingshot Memphis

For many, a job promotion with a raise is a no-brainer—more income equals more financial flexibility. But that’s not always the case. For those experiencing poverty, the math is more complicated. A $1-$2 per hour wage increase that exceeds the eligibility for government benefits can leave individuals more vulnerable. The harsh reality? A single parent raising two children making $10 per hour only sees a meaningful improvement in overall financial well-being when they earn nearly $30 per hour. We have to ensure government assistance and corporate compensation policies are aligned in order to bridge the benefits gap. 💼💔 Read more about MemWorks insights at: https://memworks.org/insights/

We are excited about the momentum behind More For Memphis and their plans to enhance economic mobility for Memphians. It was great to attend the partner event this week and learn from the experiences of Geoffrey Canada and Jim Shelton.

Nearly 1 in 5 Memphians are facing food insecurity (that’s about 250,000 people!) while over 30,000 eviction filings occur annually. Food insecurity and housing instability make it nearly impossible to pursue workforce development services, education, and employment. How can our city thrive when so many are struggling just to survive?

As we seek to help Memphians experiencing poverty access living-wage employment, we have to help stabilize their situations by ensuring they have sufficient access to healthy food and safe, stable housing. Share this post to spread awareness, and visit MemWorks.org to learn more about the employment roadblocks facing Memphians and what we can do to solve them. 💪🏽🌆

Do you know that nearly one-third of all philanthropic giving in the United States occurs in the month of December? As we enter this giving season, trying to decide how to allocate our philanthropy can be overwhelming. Each of us wants to feel that our philanthropy is making an impact but there are so many nonprofits and good causes we could support and so few ways to know which are the most effective.

After studying numerous poverty-fighting nonprofits, we share a few questions you can ask about any poverty-fighting organization to help you have greater confidence that it is making a difference.

1) How does the program improve the health or income of its participants (i.e., the intended outcomes upon completing a program)?

2) How does the organization know its programs are producing the intended outcomes (i.e., can they measure them across all participants or just share one or two anecdotes)?

3) How did the organization design its programs (i.e., are they based on research-verified best practices)?

4) How does the organization ensure its programs are implemented as designed?

Slingshot recently published its Q3 Stakeholder Report sharing highlights about the poverty-fighting revolution. Learn more about how social capital can lead to economic mobility, the employment roadblocks facing Memphians experiencing poverty, Slingshot's new Insights Team, and the 5 new team members who recently joined Slingshot. Click the link to view the latest report:http://www.slingshotmemphis.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Q3-2023-Stakeholder-Report-1.pdf

Tennesseans earning less than $15,000 per year suffer from chronic health conditions nearly twice as much as those earning $50,000 or more per year. With over 40% of Memphis' primary health clinics concentrated along the Poplar Avenue corridor, citizens from disadvantaged neighborhoods cannot access these clinics due to transportation challenges. The combination of higher prevalence and limited access create significant employment roadblocks for Memphians experiencing poverty.

Communities In Schools of Memphis (CISM) is building stronger, healthier, and more economically stable communities by championing educational equity and inclusion for students and families. The organization fights poverty by increasing the likelihood that students will graduate from high school, enabling them to earn higher wages as adults. CISM creates between $1.30 and $1.65 in estimated poverty-fighting benefits for each dollar it spends. CISM’s core programs include Integrated Student Supports (ISS), College and Career Readiness (CCR), and Care Coordination which all utilize forms of evidence or research-based best practices. Click below to view the report of Slingshot's 2023 impact study update for Communities In Schools of Memphis.
https://www.slingshotmemphis.org/pfo-profiles/?Pid=LYF27NKE

Slingshot measures nonprofits' poverty-fighting impact, so you know what is making a difference. You can support the most effective poverty-fighting organizations by contributing to Slingshot's Accelerate Impact Fund. 100 percent of your funds go directly to the organizations Slingshot studies, based on their effectiveness.

All contributions between now and the end of the year will be matched, up to $250,000. Contribute today, and KNOW that your philanthropy is making an impact.

slingshotmemphis.org

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with Sylvamo's senior leadership team this week. Our CEO, Jared V Barnett, along with John Martinez and Sonia Drohojowska from MDRC, shared the findings from the Data Analysis phase of MemWorks. These findings included the most significant employment roadblocks facing Memphians experiencing poverty. We are grateful for Sylvamo's support of MemWorks, and for the opportunity to collaborate with influential workforce leaders to help unlock pathways to living-wage employment for all Memphians. To learn more, visit www.memworks.org.

We're excited for the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) as they announced a partnership with The Regions Foundation to support and enhance their Hire Local program! This program helps bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, connecting people to living-wage career pathways and helping businesses find local talent.

Hire Local helps Memphians successfully navigate uncoordinated workforce systems. MMDC has been collaborating with Slingshot on the MemWorks initiative, helping identify and overcome the largest employment roadblocks facing Memphians experiencing poverty.

To learn more about how MMDC's Hire Local program is making a difference, check out the full article below.

MMDC’s Hire Local Program Receives $25,000 | Smart City Memphis MMDC’s Hire Local Program Receives $25,000 Posted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 3, 2023 | Economic Development, Neighborhoods | 0 The Regions Foundation and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative Wednesday announced a new community partnership dedicated to strengthening training, education and e...

In Memphis, a staggering 74% of jobs are not accessible within a 3-hour round-trip commute via public transportation, making the cycle of poverty difficult to break. While public transit is part of the solution, we also need effective private transportation options to overcome Memphis’ transportation gaps.

Access to private transportation can change lives. Studies reveal that when households transition from zero to one vehicle, there's an average $8,000 increase in income. Benefits continue transitioning from one to two vehicles, with an additional $6,000 income boost. But it's not just about income; private transportation also has significant health benefits. Patients with their own transportation are 50% less likely to miss medical appointments, ensuring better access to crucial healthcare.

It was wonderful to discuss workforce opportunities with participants of the Memphis Workforce Leadership Academy, an initiative sponsored by the Greater Memphis Chamber and The Aspen Institute. We had the opportunity to share the employment roadblocks facing Memphians experiencing poverty that have been identified through MemWorks. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with these workforce leaders and work together to help our city's workforce efforts address the roadblocks that will unlock pathways to living-wage employment.

We're thrilled to celebrate ' philanthropic contribution to support Slingshot Memphis. Their generous support demonstrates their commitment to help revolutionize the fight against poverty in Memphis. As we apply a return on investment mindset to fighting poverty, we can maximize the impact every philanthropic dollar has to create pathways for people to thrive.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have participated on a panel with Mayor-elect and Councilman during the graduation ceremony for the Memphis Academy of Civic Engagement Graduation (MACE). We were excited to share the need to be data-driven in our efforts to help the community if we want to create meaningful opportunities to thrive and reductions in crime.

Did you know that high costs and limited access to quality childcare are major challenges for working parents? In Shelby County, a staggering 55% of working parents have faced employment challenges due to inadequate childcare. 🍼✨

According to recent studies, 74% of these parents cite the lack of access to quality childcare as the primary issue, while 59% struggle with the affordability of these services. This is a significant obstacle for our hardworking families.

Memphians experiencing poverty cannot traverse pathways to living-wage jobs if they do not have access to affordable and high-quality childcare. It's not just a matter of convenience; it's absolutely essential to career progression and the well-being of our families. 🌱💕

Join us in helping enable better childcare options in Memphis. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every child can thrive, and every parent can pursue careers that enable their families to thrive. 🏫✨ 💙

We are excited to celebrate .mobility’s generous philanthropic contribution to support our organization. The Foundation has supported Slingshot for several years as part of its efforts to create positive impact through community giving. Their support for Slingshot is helping identify the most effective ways to fight poverty in Memphis.

STS Enterprise Corporation's mission is to equip youth and college students with transferable skills and experiential learning opportunities that build character while empowering them to economically and socially impact their communities. The organization fights poverty by assisting high school students transition into post-secondary opportunities, and aiding college students’ transition into the workforce or postgraduate programs. STS created between $1.30 and $1.55 in estimated poverty-fighting benefits for each dollar it spent. STS’s “Strive” model integrates key elements from successful high school relationship-building methods, including small groups, bi-monthly meetings, and career and cultural exploration opportunities. While its “Elite” model incorporates effective strategies from college & career readiness programs, such as career exploration, relationship-building with professionals, and the addition of other enrichment workshops. Click the link to view their Impact Study profile: https://www.slingshotmemphis.org/pfo-profiles/?Pid=XN64UOHU

Did you know that more than half of the adults in Shelby County have endured at least one traumatic experience during their childhood? Shockingly, over 110,000 individuals have faced four or more of these Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child labels this impact as "toxic stress," a term that vividly illustrates the havoc excessive stress wreaks on a child’s developing brain, immune system, and overall health.

But here's the crucial connection we all need to understand: the number of ACEs someone experiences significantly influences their employment outcomes. Research shows a strong correlation between childhood trauma and negative employment outcomes. From struggles in workplace interactions to increased absenteeism, lower-income jobs, and higher unemployment rates, the effects are profound.

So, what can we do about it? Mental health support and trauma-informed practices are not just buzzwords; they are essential keys to unlocking employment pathways in Memphis. By embracing these practices, we can create a supportive environment, fostering healing and resilience. 💪✨

Understanding your strengths is key to unlocking your true potential. Sadly, in Memphis, we struggle to help people understand their unique professional talents and match them with fulfilling, well-paying jobs. This lack of understanding leaves tens of thousands of people in the dark, pursuing employment paths that do not appreciate their skills. As a community, we can change this!

We can’t expect to see lasting changes in poverty if our neighbors experiencing poverty are not able to connect with the living-wage jobs they are best positioned to excel in. As we support initiatives that empower individuals to identify their strengths, we can pave the way for career-track employment and higher retention rates! 💪✨ https://memworks.org/insights/

Nearly 1 million U.S. households in 2019 lacked basic features such as plumbing, electricity, or heat. Research has shown that programs that support home repairs can help increase stability and reduce crime.

JIFF Juvenile Intervention and Faith-Based Follow-Up's mission is to break the destructive cycle of juvenile crime through Christ-centered intervention. JIFF fights poverty by providing intensive programming and mentoring to youth involved in the juvenile justice system. JIFF provides a supportive, faith-based, environment, where young people receive instruction in The Six H's: Head, Heart, Health, Home, Hire-ability, and Hobbies. Youth participating in JIFF's programs also experience field-trips, opportunities for workforce training, one-on-one time with case mentors, and assistance in making daily positive steps. JIFF created more than $4.00 in estimated poverty-fighting benefits for each dollar it spent. JIFF employs evidence-based best practices for its mentoring program along with extensive training and fidelity checks. Click to view JIFF's Impact Study Update:
https://www.slingshotmemphis.org/pfo-profiles/?Pid=5GBMKNUG

We are grateful Desireé Becerra has joined our team as an Impact Associate! Desireé has expertise in policy research, data analysis, and evaluation across several social issues including gender equity, transportation, and the labor force. When Desireé is not working, she enjoys running and taking long walks with her dog Nacho.

Opportunity requires access! Unfortunately, those in poverty face several roadblocks to accessing vital workforce development services. In addition to not having resources to easily identify workforce organizations in the community, these programs are often far from the communities that need them most. In Memphis, just 30% of workforce service providers are in areas with average incomes under $50,000. No area offers all the needed workforce services, with only 75% accessible within the city's top 10 most disadvantaged zip codes. Let's work together to make it easier to access these services for those who need them most! 💪

LifeLine to Success uses Christian principles to provide the support and tools necessary to unleash the transformation of people who have been convicted of violent crimes to effectively reintegrate with society, changing negative perceptions associated with a criminal record. It fights poverty by providing people who were formerly incarcerated with transitional job opportunities, counseling, and technical and soft-skills training. LIFEline improved its ability to incorporate data into its decision-making by fully transitioning to digital data collection and storage, making its data more accurate and easier to analyze. Its mental health and counseling support is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a well-researched and evidence-based therapy model. Click to view LIFEline's Impact Study Update: https://www.slingshotmemphis.org/pfo-profiles/?Pid=C2K7PM7N

🎓✨ Imagine being forced to choose between groceries and textbooks, or between enrollment fees and the gas needed to attend class. This is the harsh reality for many students living in poverty. Limited resources and support can make seemingly small challenges monumental. Sadly, 6 out of every 10 students in this situation drop out of their career and technical education programs after their first year. What if we could work together to bridge the gap? Join the MemWorks movement and become part of the solution.

Memphis has the highest rate of people living in food deserts (nearly 1 in 3) among U.S. metropolitan areas with more than 1 million people. Research has demonstrated some effective ways to help improve the quality of diets for youth living in low-income households.

During Slingshot's last team retreat, Marlon Foster, Executive Director of Knowledge Quest, shared the importance of social capital in providing pathways out of poverty.

In reviewing research about social capital, we found a concise study that explored the impact social capital has on upward economic mobility. It found that children who grow up in communities with more Economic Connectedness (i.e. the degree of interaction between low- and high-income people) are much more likely to rise up out of poverty. Read more about social capital via the article linked below: https://opportunityinsights.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/socialcapital_nontech.pdf

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in Sylvamo's inaugural Safety, Wellness, & Community Fair! It was wonderful to meet with many of the 350 local Sylvamo team members and share how we can work together to revolutionize poverty-fighting in Memphis.

📘 Did you know? There are open seats at technical training centers in Shelby County but Memphians facing poverty can't access them. Why? Because they struggle with reading and math skills required for training programs. Approximately 100,000 Memphians need academic support to bridge this gap and access career & technical education, paving the way for living-wage jobs. Join the MemWorks movement and let's work together to make reading, writing, and workforce development available for all! https://memworks.org/insights/

MemWorks dives deep into the heart of our community to understand why many of our neighbors lack access to living-wage jobs. It's about facts, not just perceptions. Our commitment is to share the insights and realities we uncover to spark conversations that lead to action. Join us in unlocking meaningful, equitable economic growth for Memphis together. https://memworks.org/insights/

Service Over Self’s (SOS) mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in underserved neighborhoods through home repair and leadership development. SOS fights poverty by providing no-cost total roof replacements for homeowners in Binghampton, the Heights, and Orange Mound and sponsoring an after-school job training program, SOS Builds, for young people from nearby schools. SOS Builds features skills training in the construction trades, as well as leadership training and financial literacy. SOS created around $0.50 in estimated poverty-fighting benefits for each dollar it spent, and created additional systems-level change through workforce focused partnerships and the SOS Academy, a paid Christian Community Development residency designed for recent graduates and young professionals who have a concern for those who are marginalized. Learn more about Service Over Self’s impact study at https://www.slingshotmemphis.org/pfo-profiles/?Pid=DJTTZIA6. SOS - Service Over Self

We are excited to welcome Yasmin Abdulhadi to our team as the MemWorks Project Leader. Yasmin will lead efforts through the primary research phase of the project. Yasmin is passionate about economic equity and has worked on numerous projects focusing on economic mobility and empowerment. When she's not listening to people's experiences of income immobility, you're likely to find Yasmin in a coffee shop.

MemWork's research highlights education as a critical issue for our city that is inhibiting pathways to living-wage jobs. We appreciate The Commercial Appeal for shining a light on the work being done. For more insights on what is inhibiting Memphians experiencing poverty from reaching living-wage jobs, visit the Insights section of the MemWorks website.

Memphis nonprofit says it maybe have found 'the magic pill for education.' Here's how JESSRAN is giving toddlers a free education that blends instructive and independent learning, and supporting their families with monthly stipends.

"We have a quarter of the Memphis population in poverty and yet, every company is talking about the problem of finding workers. 'You’d think those two would solve the answer pretty quickly,' Barnett said. 'We thought this is something we could address and it gave birth to the MemWorks program to determine the roadblocks to employment and what can be done about them.'"

We are grateful to Tom Jones for his piece about the evolution of Slingshot's work and the MemWorks project in the latest Smart City Memphis article. https://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2023/09/slingshotting-memphis-into-a-better-future/

Alpha Omega Veterans Services, Inc.'s mission is to provide displaced and homeless veterans with the social services needed to totally reintegrate them back into society. Alpha Omega fights poverty by providing transitional and permanent supportive housing as well as wrap-around support services to veterans. Alpha Omega also operates an Urban Farm and Garden, which provides nutritious food, employment, and recreation. Alpha Omega created between $0.60 and $0.80 in poverty-fighting benefits for each dollar spent. Alpha Omega uses a variety of best practices in its programs, including its housing models. The Urban Farm and Garden is Certified Naturally Grown, Good Agricultural Practices Certified by the USDA, and certified Homegrown by Heroes, a part of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Learn more about AOVS’ impact study at https://www.slingshotmemphis.org/pfo-profiles/?Pid=FGIVGVRT.

Jared V Barnett, Slingshot's CEO, was recently featured in The Daily Memphian. Drawing on recent insights from the MemWorks initiative with MDRC, he shares how crime is only a symptom of deeper root causes, including challenges with workforce development and access to living-wage employment opportunities.

"While crime grabs the headlines, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking we can solve crime by being reactionary. Lasting reductions in crime require us to address the root causes and broken systems perpetuating the cycle. Only then can we make living wage employment more equitable and accessible for all."

Guest column: Crime is a symptom, not a sickness Focusing on crime won’t solve the problem, it is simply putting Band-Aids on bullet holes. Crime is just a symptom of much deeper, systemic issues that create inequitable outcomes and a lack of hope.