Advance Memphis

Development, Rather than Relief

WMBarr Workers The new book When Helping Hurts by Covenant College professors Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett explores the idea that dignity and independence can be restored to the poor when organizations strive to provide resources for development in a community, rather than relief.

In short, this means that change comes when a community is empowered to help itself, rather than being handed “help” such as food or clothing.

In the book, Advance Memphis is used as an example of a program that offers economic development programs that allow participants to gain knowledge and skills that empower them to become employed—and then become leaders in their community.

The Outsourcing Program

NGP Worker The Outsourcing Program at Advance Memphis is the embodiment of the principle of development, rather than relief.

Students at Advance Memphis participate in job training and financial literacy and, then, have the opportunity to work in the Outsourcing Program. Through Outsourcing, students work, gain vocational skills, receive a paycheck, earn a reference, and develop a current work history.

Work comes to Advance Memphis through relationships with local businesses such as Corky’s, Smith and Nephew, through NewTech Packaging, WMBarr, National Guard Products, C&D Plastics, KAM Cross-Supply Services and Wynit Corp. Piecework is performed for these companies and completed in the Advance Memphis facility by Advance Memphis students and grads.

Value in the Community

Corky's The value of this work to the community cannot be underestimated. In the Cleaborn-Foote neighborhood where only 56% of residents have cars, the presence of work IN the neighborhood is exciting—it brings hope.

As students and graduates pass drug tests and go to work in the program, we see hope spread in the neighborhood. When 18 wheeler trucks are backed up to the Advance building to deliver products, we see hope spread in the neighborhood. When Friday comes, and paychecks are passed out, hope spreads in the neighborhood.

The Outsourcing Program offers tangible hope—as well as, the essential opportunity for students to apply what they learn in the classroom, making it that much more likely that they’ll succeed when they transition to full time employment.

Providing Relief Now

Advance Memphis is grateful to all of its 2PC volunteers—and is seeking more volunteers for all of its programs, including lunch providers, GED tutors, job coaches and small group discussion leaders.

The Outsourcing Program also needs volunteers. Volunteers for this program typically serve by providing introductions to businesses that could benefit by outsourcing projects to our Program.

If you know of businesses that might be interested in serving their city, keeping jobs local, and receiving a great work product at an excellent price, please consider serving Advance Memphis by providing an introduction.

Contact , Executive Director to learn more.

Kate Lareau is Outsourcing Manager with Advance Memphis