Q1 2021 Newsletter
From our Executive Director
Dear Friends,
I sit here today feeling a mix of joy and sadness, hope and uncertainty. COVID continues to impact our programs and the number of students committed to going to work, and yet I rejoice because we have seen the Lord move in ways we have been praying for. One of our goals at the end of 2020 was to find more warehousing customers to do business with and God has already started opening those doors. One of our largest customers Docazoo was acquired by another company that is committed to growing the amount of business we do with them, which provides more job opportunities for our neighbors. We are hopeful for the witness and the local impact that would have on South Memphis!
While we are grateful for the job opportunities this growth would bring for our neighbors, please continue to pray with us as we seek students and graduates who are ready to go to work. The pandemic has created many different challenges for us in the recruitment process.
We don’t have all the answers, but we know we are following God’s call to love and serve. Would you join us in praying for wisdom on how to engage our neighbors? And would you also consider coming alongside us as a monthly donor or volunteer? We are grateful for you as the Body of Christ and the ways we are advancing Memphis together.
In Him,
Steve Nash
Our Future in Warehousing
At the beginning of 2019, we proudly announced the opening of our second warehouse and at the time we could only see a glimpse of the work that God would do there. As we reflect two years later, it is our firm belief that our warehouses will be a key part of Advance Memphis’ future work in South Memphis. Our warehouses have always provided students with job opportunities upon graduation, but Advance Memphis is learning that our warehouses are becoming increasingly valuable as a recruiting tool and as an opportunity for work during class. The effects of this pandemic on recruitment have been tangible and we realize the need to find a stronger value proposition to go to work.
In January, we added an "Earn While You Learn" opportunity which gives every Work Life student the chance to start work immediately at our 960 S. Bellevue Warehouse. Students attend class in the morning with the option for paid work in the afternoon. Our hope is that this will strengthen our recruiting efforts, but also will answer a major need in the community. We are now providing the soft skills training that will set our students up for a long term career, while also providing them a place to apply what they’re learning while earning a paycheck. We are more grateful than ever for warehousing partners like C&D Plastics, Docazoo, If I Had A Hammer, and National Guard Products because they are providing consistent work for our neighbors who choose to earn while they learn.
Another important component of growing our warehouse business is investing in the maintenance of the buildings themselves. Join us in prayer during this season as we take on extra expenses to catch up on deferred maintenance projects, like installing a $391,000 roof, upgrading our sprinkler system, adding more racking, and installing more pallet positions for our customers. We are grateful for our partner banks that allow us to go forward with these projects, but also the team of amazing monthly donors (The Good Neighbor Network) who help strengthen our financial foundation as we fulfill this mission together. We just passed the 100 monthly donor mark and we look forward to celebrating our next goal of 200 with you in the near future!
Loving Advance Memphis
We had 15 students come through Work Life this quarter, 6 of whom committed to working during class. One of those students was Michael Love. At 72 years old, Mr. Love has been a lifetime resident of South Memphis. He had heard of Advance Memphis, but had no need for our classes as he was a successful truck driver and forklift operator for many years. “I never thought I’d be sitting in this class in a million years, but I wasn’t living right. I’m not proud of my past, God has humbled me and taken many things away, but he’s given me a fresh start at Advance and I’m so grateful!” he exclaimed.
Mr. Love is teaching us many things about God’s faithfulness and trying new things at any age. He poured his heart and soul into class and his work at the warehouse each afternoon. He even gave our regular warehouse crew a run for their money! Upon graduation, we were thrilled to offer him a position overseeing custodial work at our office and warehouses. He continues to be a bright light and a hard worker. “The people...THEY are the reasons why I’m still working at Advance. I was so touched by Bryce and Jonathan and all the staff. I’ve always said, "We need something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for." I have found that here at Advance.” said Mr. Love.
We are thankful for Mr. Love and the ways he has taught us, like so many of our graduates. May we continue to open ourselves up to learn and grow in relationship with our South Memphis community!
Thank You, Volunteers!
We are grateful for the volunteers who continue to partner with us in fulfilling the mission of Advance Memphis amid the pandemic! In January, we had 105 volunteers join us in prayer for our first-ever 12 Hours of Prayer. We were so moved by the response that we decided to add a 12 Hours of Prayer event to each quarter, so be on the lookout for that at the end of April. Thank you also to the:
14 Meal Providers who brought boxed meals for students
7 Work Life and Faith & Finances Allies who mentored and befriended our students
12 Mock Interviewers who provided invaluable experience and guidance to Work Life students
2 graduates who helped us with recruitment in the community
3 volunteers who helped with maintenance projects at our warehouse
We know our programs alone won’t change lives—it is God changing lives through the relationships built with our neighbors and faithful volunteers. There are plenty of service opportunities coming up next quarter and we’d love to help you get plugged in!
Meal Provider - Sign Up Here
Work Life Ally
Faith & Finances Ally
April 12 Hours of Prayer - Sign Up Here
Prayer Team - Join Here
Contact Kelsey at kdees@advancememphis.org or click the button below to learn more on our website.
Advance At A Glance
Our new website is live!
If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to check out the newly redesigned advancememphis.org. After many months of hard work from our staff and the team at Creative Punch Marketing Group, we launched a beautiful new website that better highlights the work we do and the ways you can get plugged in. We'd love to hear from you—let us know what you think!
Congrats to our permanently employed grads!
We want to celebrate the 5 Work Life graduates who have gone to work through Advance Memphis Staffing this quarter and the 6 graduates who have been hired from temporary to permanent positions. Their hard work is an encouragement to us all!