More for Memphis is a comprehensive, county-wide plan to improve the quality of life for all residents by ensuring everyone has access to the essential services and resources they need to thrive.
Read the Regional Plan
Working Together for
South Memphis Youth
Supporting 1,000 more young people in South Memphis to reach their full potential takes teamwork. That’s what More For Memphis is all about.
Seeding Success
helps lead the effort by keeping the plan organized, partners connected, and progress on track.
The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis
manages funding and supports an advisory committee that shares insights, makes recommendations, and reviews progress and outcomes for collaborative efforts in South Memphis.Â
Together with schools, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors, these partners are paving better pathways to opportunity for youth and families in South Memphis.
Our Approach
Remove Barriers
to opportunity for children and families.
01
Empower Young People
to choose pathways that lead to lives of dignity.
02
Build Effective Systems
and supportive services that lead to better outcomes.
03
Scale and Sustain Solutions
that create a thriving Shelby County.
04
PRIORITY AREAS AND STRATEGIES IN SOUTH MEMPHIS
There are 1,147 three & and four-year-olds in the target area.
Head Start Expansion
Provides trained professionals to conduct regular home visits with families of young children, supporting parenting practices, early development, and school readiness.
Childcare Shared Services
Provides access to high-quality shared services to childcare providers.
Pre-K Expansion
Expands high-quality Pre-K offerings to ensure all children have access to early education, with a focus on closing literacy gaps.
Expanded Home Visitation
Expands free preschool services to an additional 3,000 children.
3rd Grade Reading proficiency is ~14% in South Memphis
(Grades 3-8 reading proficiency is ~14% for MSCS public and charter schools in SMI)
Literacy Coaching
Provides specialized literacy coaching for teachers and school staff, enhancing instructional quality and improving reading outcomes for students in the early grades.
Tutoring Expansion
Expands high-dosage tutoring services to provide individualized academic support for students struggling with literacy and math.
Integrated Student Supports
Provides academic and social services, counseling, and case management within schools to remove barriers to success.
Out-of-School Time & Extended Learning
Expands access to high-quality after-school and summer learning programs, reinforcing academic concepts, social development, and college/career exposure.
Eviction Early Warning System
Identifies students facing housing challenges and coordinates referrals for intervention.
South Memphis Zone Schools
Memphis Delta Prep: K-5th
The Soulsville Charter School: 6-12
Believe Memphis Academy: K-8
Overall 40% poverty rate.
Child poverty: 61%
Community Health Centers & Workers
Establishes comprehensive health centers, providing primary care, mental health services, health coaching, and preventive care for students and families.
Violence Reduction and Prevention
Expands credible messenger programs and violence reduction strategies to decrease community violence.
Case Management & Support Services
Allows us to walk alongside individuals and families as they navigate hardship, connect them to resources, track their progress, and empower them to build lasting stability—while also informing larger systems change.
Unemployment rate: 16%
Per capita income: $20,434.71
Bachelor’s degree attainment: 9%
Small Business and Entrepreneur Support
Establishes an entrepreneurship incubator, offering capital investment, mentorship, and business development resources.
Workforce Pipeline Improvement
Connects young adults and families to high-demand job training programs, ensuring certifications and employment placements in key industries.
College, Career, & Technical Education
Expands career pathways, vocational training, and technical education to better prepare students for postsecondary success and employment.
