Weekly Update

Friends,

 

One of the more fun jobs I get to do as mayor is speaking to groups at events. Last night, I had the opportunity to do that with a group that means a lot to me personally—the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis at its 50^th Annual Steak n’ Burger fundraiser.

 

 

For years, even before coming to the Mayor’s Office, I’ve been a firm believer in the work they do. Fifteen years ago, or so, I played in the annual fundraising tennis tournament for the first time, and at that day’s luncheon, I learned what a powerful organization they are.

 

 

They’re making a real difference in the lives of young Memphians every single day.

 

Here is some data to prove my point: 

• 95% of members come from a single parent home
• 90% live in high poverty, high crime neighborhoods
• 81 percent of members show an increase in homework completion
• 100 percent of Technical Training Center graduates were placed in jobs or higher education
• 95% expect to graduate high school
• For 17 years, 99% actually graduate high school
• 76% feel safer at the club than anywhere else
• 57% of alumni say the club saved their life 

It’s for those reasons that we, along with City Council, recently allocated $9 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds over the next three years to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis allowing them to operate in 10 additional Shelby County Schools.

 

This program expands on what Superintendent Dr. Joris Ray and BGCM have successfully done at Craigmont High School for the last three years.

 

With sufficient funding, Boys and Girls Club can have a transformative impact on our young people, and the proof is in their numbers.

 

My favorite: over the last several years, 100 percent of seniors graduate, and 100 percent of graduates go to college, get a job, or join the military.

 

Memphis needs more of this, and our children deserve it. If you or someone you know would like to get involved with BGCM either through volunteering, contributing financially, or both—you can start here.

 

A major milestone: While the fight against COVID-19 is still ongoing, we did hit a major milestone yesterday in Memphis and Shelby County—over 1 million first, second, and third doses of vaccine have been administered. This is the most doses given in any county across the state.

 

To our hospital partners, Memphis Fire Department and all City of Memphis employees who played a role, Shelby County Health Department, UTHSC, UCH, Christ Community Healthcare, Church Health Center, FEMA, TEMA, City of Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland, and the Marines and Sailers of Team Delta Blues, 2nd Marine Division—thank you for all the work you’ve done to get us to this point.

 

To Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, thank you for the partnership for promotion of vaccines and our vaccine locations.

 

Please note that the Shelby County Health Department will take over as lead in the public vaccination effort on December 1, 2021.

 

Looking for something to do this weekend?:  If you are, Memphis Field Daze will keep you busy.

 

Starting today and running until Sunday evening, this three-day event provides everything from kayaking and yoga to running and biking with “homebase” at Wiseacre Downtown.

 

It’s going to be a beautiful fall weekend and perfect for being outdoors. So, if you get a chance check out the Memphis Field Daze site for a full listing of everything happening.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Yours,