Advance Memphis breaking the cycle of underemployment

Advance Memphis is making a big impact in South Memphis with its new LAUNCH entrepreneurship program and its Jobs For Life program, now in its eighth year. The non-profit was founded 15 years ago to help adults in the 38126 zip code (the poorest urban zip code in Tennessee and once the third-poorest zip code in the country) use their unique skills and abilities to succeed in the workplace.
 
“Our focus is on how to break out of the cycle of underemployment. We want to give people hope that they can succeed in the workplace,” says Michael Rhodes, Advance Memphis Director of Education. “We try to coach people on how to add skills, invest in the character traits that employers are most interested in, and adapt to the workplace culture. We believe that struggling communities represent a ton of untapped potential, people with God-given creativity and skills who want to do more for themselves, their families and the community.”
 
The Jobs For Life program has assisted more than 800 people in its eight years, including GED classes, financial literacy, counseling, and job and entrepreneurship training. Participants meet every day for five and a half weeks, and graduates qualify for employment support through Advance Memphis, including an in-house staffing service.
 
Advance Memphis formed the LAUNCH program earlier this year as a way to create new jobs and new opportunities in the community. The first class (consisting of ten evening sessions) took place this past spring and the initiative’s second class will take place this fall.
 
“Of the eight participants that graduated in the spring, we’ve had five people who have made sales this summer and a sixth person in the planning stage,” Rhodes says.
 
Early success stories include Tee Brice and 5^th Element Entertainment, Marilyn Lyles and Marilyn’s Magic Cleaning, and Donald Jenkins with Jenkins' Lawn Service and Tree Removal.
 
“Right now, given our economy and the reality of low wages and temporary labor, we are excited about people being able to fill up the gap,” Rhodes says. “Our perspective is that if you are trapped in an underemployment cycle, having the ability to use your own gifts to do something that you like doing is a huge value add.”
 
By Michael Waddell