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In one of the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis' (WFGM) largest volunteer efforts,
over 100 people supported
The 2016 Zip Code 38126 Back to School Drive. Volunteers logged
305 hours
to assemble and sort
37,000 total items
and distribute
1,000 backpacks
to students in two schools located in the heart of 38126.
Friday, September 23 at 8:30 a.m. volunteers reported to the Booker T. Washington High School Gym. They were greeted by WFGM staff, coffee, donuts, and the sight of hundreds of notebooks, crayons, pens, pencils, cookies, and more sitting neatly in a large stack of boxes.
There was also information and opportunities for parents and guardians. Supporting the entire family is a critical component of WFGM's two-generation approach.
With excitement and commitment, they moved swiftly to the tables and started an assembly line to stuff the backpacks, which were a surprise for students at
Booker T. Washington High School
and
LaRose Elementary School
.
In a matter of hours and after a short program, students lined up to receive their gifts. Volunteers celebrated, laughed, and gave the students high-fives and words of encouragement as they placed the backpacks into their hands. Students posed for pictures, and stopped to open the bags to discuss the contents with friends. All smiled at the labor of love for the community and a few came back after class, asking if they could take one or two extra home for siblings.
Ruby Bright, Executive Director and CAO
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PHILANTHROPY
Join the Conversation! #POP16
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Women's Foundation Welcomes Two New Board Members
Lisa Geater
Chief of Staff
City of Memphis
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Leslie Lynn Smith
President,
EPI Center
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Click
here for a full list of The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis 2016-2017 Board of Directors, Trustees and Staff.
City Hall Hosts 2015 and 2016 Legends Art Work
The Legends Award Art Exhibition is on public display September 30-October 30 at Memphis City Hall in the Hall of Mayors, 125 N. Main Street. Legends Award Artists and Writers create works of art and prose that personify the
Legends Award Honorees' accomplishments and contributions to this community.
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COLLABORATION
WFGM Receives $50,000 Grant from Walmart Foundation
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) recently received a $50,000 grant from the
Walmart Foundation's State Giving Program to assist with Partnership for Women's Prosperity at Memphis. Specifically, this grant will positively impact the local community by preparing 300 local, low-income women to pass workforce and skills assessment tests.
The grant will enable WFGM to launch the TABE (Tests of Adult Basic Education) Preparation Project and Beyond. The project aims to increase one-on-one services and provide more concentrated assistance with remedial education skills, job readiness and life skills. WFGM's vision is to reduce poverty by five percent over five years in zip code 38126, the poorest zip code in the city of Memphis.
Bank of America Announces $50,000 in Funding to Enhance
Community Revitalization
The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is one of four non-profits to receive a grant from Bank of America to increase access to affordable housing and support neighborhood revitalization in the Memphis community. WFGM will use the funding to support a financial literacy training program to help increase budgeting skills, increased understanding of banking services, and debt management education.
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GRANTS AND PROGRAMS
 Grantee Partner Spotlight
The Juice Plus Technical Training Center's Job Seekers Program for students age 16-24 hosted by WFGM Grantee Partner the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
prepares students for successful careers after high school graduation. The program offers paid job training, placement services, and workforce development resulting in a pipeline to economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.
Each year 350-400 students enroll, with a 100% of graduates going directly into jobs, college, or the military.
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Success Story, Geraldine Gives Back With Her Girls
How can you measure a return of investment on your time? It is measured with women like Geraldine
a
nd her daughters. Geraldine is a former resident of Dixie Homes and a
US
Memphis HOPE participant. When she suddenly lost her job
over 8 years ago
, Geraldine searched for another one for months, always pushing forward despite numerous setbacks. After being connected through
Memphis HOPE
with Methodist Le Bonheur, she was hired at the hospital as a receptionist and continues to do well.
She is looking to advance in her career and giving back is important to her.
Geraldine and her girls joined
WFGM
during the Zip Code 38126 Back to School Drive. Geraldine returned, remembering how years ago she needed the very resources that she and her daughters helped to gather for backpacks given to the women and children of 38126.
A proud moment for all!
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ADVOCACY
Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act Introduced by US Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Susan Collins (R-ME)
In September, US Senators
Martin Heinrich
(D-NM) and
Susan Collins
(R-ME) introduced the bipartisan
Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act
in the Senate. The Act aligns and links existing systems and funding streams to support children and their parents to increase their economic security, educational success, social capital, and health and well-being.
Watch the videos of the Senators' remarks:
Voter Registration!
Tuesday, October 11 is the Voter Registration deadline in Tennessee. Learn more about the voter registration process
here. This season, there's a way to have reminders texted straight to your phone about the most important appointment you have in November - with the voting booth! Text VOTE to 74534 for reminders and tools to create your own custom voting plan based on where you live.
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Join WFGM on social media!
Follow #POP16 as we countdown to The 2016 Power of the Purse™Auction:
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2016 Power of the Purse™Auction:
Presenting Sponsor
View a full list of sponsors
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SAVE THE DATES
20% of proceeds benefit WFGM!
Saturday, October 15, 2016
12:00-3:00 p.m.
Kendra Scott Saddle Creek
7515 Poplar Avenue, Ste. 105
Germantown, TN 38138
To Support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Memphis Chapter)
Thursday,
October 13
2016
584 S Mendenhall Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
6:30 p.m.-Red Carpet
7:20 p.m. Film Screening
Tickets-General Admission $50
VIP Admission $150
Click
here for more information.
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Women's Foundation needs people like YOU who are passionate about giving back to the community.
If you would
like to volunteer, contact WFGM
We need Vision 2020 Volunteers!
We have several areas of focus within
this strategic plan, including:
Early Childhood Education
Job Readiness
Financial Literacy
Volunteers are also needed for:
Administrative Support
Clerical Work
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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Kroger is committed to helping
communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations earn millions of dollars through Kroger Community
Rewards®. WFGM supporters can earn rewards for our organization every time you swipe your Kroger Plus Card!
Log on to Kroger Community Rewards
and create or renew an account
if you have not already done so already.
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WHEREtoGIVEmidsouth
WFGM is a proud partner of
WHEREtoGIVEmidsouth,
directory of nonprofit organizations
in the greater Memphis area.
Discover organizations working on issues important to you.
Find information about their mission, staff and board, major programs, and finances, and donate to support their work.
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About WFGM
Founded in 1995, The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) is a non-profit organization of women helping women break the cycle of poverty in Memphis though philanthropy, leadership and collaboration.
Mission-
To encourage philanthropy, foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.
Vision-
To be an agent of change committed to a community of
well-being
and prosperity, where women live in sufficiency, strength, and safety, sharing their leadership and empowering their children
.
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