Community Spotlight: Ashley’s and the Grizzlies give children a special night at FedEx Forum. Ashley’s Hope to Dream initiative partnered with the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Allies to bring beds to the children and siblings of Memphis Allies participants and others.
At Memphis Allies, the training never stops. Every day in Memphis, businesses provide their employees with continuing education and new training. It’s a temperature check of sorts.
When the Memphis Allies initiative to reduce gun violence launched in 2021, the enormity of the challenge was understood: People on the front lines would be working with a high-risk population, but that population wouldn’t just be a collection of clones. Rather, each would have their own story.
Known simply as “Coach” or “OG” to the young men he trains, Elite Performance Foundation founder Randy Dixon doesn’t hesitate to tell them that he loves them, saying, “Most of them have never heard that from a man.” Dixon’s boxing gym is in Hickory Hill, and he is a new partner with Memphis Allies’ SWITCH Youth program.
Meet Cody Brown: Helping Memphis Allies participants enter the workforce Creating strong community ties is critical when it comes to the work of Memphis Allies and that is just what Vocational Coordinator Cody Brown does. “My job is to do all the behind-the-scenes work, so the life coaches don’t have to,” he says.
Memphis Allies is increasing services to individuals at highest-risk for involvement in gun violence. Every day, Portia talks to youth, families and young adults, helping them connect to the right program and services.
Antonio Dowdy learned all the hard lessons guns can teach a young man in Memphis. Now, he’s working to make sure others learn from his experience and take easier paths.
Angelo was facing a really tough situation. He was living in a hotel and didn’t have the money to pay for even another night. He and everything he owned was about to be put on the street.
Memphis Allies Stories Memphis Allies is expanding the SWITCH – Support with Intention to Create Hope -- program to Orange Mound with a new partner and office. SWITCH serves...
As U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty looked on, life coaches and counselors reviewed the progress of one of the first participants in Memphis Allies’ SWITCH Youth program.