I had the pleasure of meeting Karen Morgan, Director of Program Development for South Memphis Alliance (SMA), at a Better Brains for Babies training at Urban Child Institute. Though somewhat accidental (she had a free spot at her table for lunch) our meeting definitely was fortuitous: I was moved by her passion for and dedication to the welfare of young people in our community. Notably those who have tremendous potential but are underserved, such as foster youth and those aging out of foster care.
Fast forward a few weeks and I’ve gotten to know SMA and founder Reginald Milton, and I’m on board with their mission to promote stable, healthy and productive families. How can you not respect their vision “to stand together…against apathy and disillusionment, to foster self-reliance and sow the seeds of hope”? In their ten years of existence they have focused on issues affecting urban families including HIV prevention, financial literacy, zoning policies and counseling for families in crisis (learn more about these and their other initiatives on their website).
Now SMA is taking on an ambitious but vital initiative for our community: Dream Seekers. They have been selected as the Memphis recipient of Jim Casey Foundation funding as part of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative’s Opportunity Passport that supports foster youth. In partnership with the Department of Children’s Services, the Dream Seekers Initiative is a first of its kind for Memphis and will empower young people in foster care to successfully transition into adulthood.
The Dream Seekers Initiative kicks off on Friday, August 13 from 7-9pm at the Memphis Grizzlies Athletic Center (2107 Ball Road). The keynote speaker will be Victoria Rowell, known to many as Drucilla from The Young and The Restless. After the program she will be signing copies of Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva and The Women Who Raised Me about her own experience in foster care. The event is free and light refreshments will be served.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim Casey Youth Opp, Jacquie Carroll. Jacquie Carroll said: RT @jimcaseyyouth: Our Tennessee expansion site-Memphis-hosted a kick off event to help youth transitioning from #fostercare. See blog: http://bit.ly/bvSU6H [...]