Memphis’ public high-school graduation rate is about 68 percent, but one Memphis organization is committed to helping Memphis youth beat the odds.
The organization’s goal is to provide mentoring programs for the at-risk children in Memphis by teaching them “to love God, love others and love themselves.”
Memphis Athletic Ministries has nine locations around the city that are strategically placed in neighborhoods with high poverty rates.
“We want to intentionally be invested in those communities that are at risk,” said Randy Odom, Memphis Athletic Ministries President and CEO.
Odom has been working for MAM since 2006. He works with the over 900 youth, ages 8-18 that are involved in the ministry.
“I was so impressed with the mission and vision of MAM,” said Odom. “I think MAM is the best platform to impact and build young men and women into disciples of Christ who will impact this city and world for God.”
The organization uses sports and recreational activities to attract youth to the ministry. Homework help and bible studies are also provided to the MAM students.
“Being invested in the lives of kids is the key,” said Odom. “The kids know and trust us. Trust is the key that opens the door to long-term change.”
The organization’s goal is to provide mentoring programs for the at-risk children in Memphis by teaching them “to love God, love others and love themselves.”
Memphis Athletic Ministries has nine locations around the city that are strategically placed in neighborhoods with high poverty rates.
“We want to intentionally be invested in those communities that are at risk,” said Randy Odom, Memphis Athletic Ministries President and CEO.
Odom has been working for MAM since 2006. He works with the over 900 youth, ages 8-18 that are involved in the ministry.
“I was so impressed with the mission and vision of MAM,” said Odom. “I think MAM is the best platform to impact and build young men and women into disciples of Christ who will impact this city and world for God.”
The organization uses sports and recreational activities to attract youth to the ministry. Homework help and bible studies are also provided to the MAM students.
“Being invested in the lives of kids is the key,” said Odom. “The kids know and trust us. Trust is the key that opens the door to long-term change.”
“Trust is the key that opens the door to long-term change.”
MAM surveyed 391 of the active participants in their program. 91 percent are African American and 71 percent are from fatherless homes. The survey results are on the graph below.
*information from the MAM website
“Every child, no matter what environment they come from deserves to be kid, enjoy their childhood, have fun and see that they are very important in Gods economy,” said Odom.
Leroy Grimes has been working for Memphis Athletic Ministries for 12 years. He began working for the ministry when he was sixteen, and got involved with MAM when he was 11 years old.
“Being apart of MAM as a kid was life changing,” said Grimes.
Grimes said as a student in MAM he was able to meet men mentors to that helped change the direction of his life. He also said that his “whole out look on life” was changed when he was able to learn what a real Christian looked like.
“Growing up all I saw was drugs in my household,” said Grimes. “MAM has taught me I don’t have to go down that road and I can be equally happy.”
Grimes said that after working for MAM deciding to work for the organization was an easy decision because they combined his two favorite things, God and basketball.
Stephanie Chatman is a youth coordinator for Memphis Athletic Ministries. She started working in 2010 as a part time employee and became a full time employee in 2012. She came to Memphis from Illinois and stayed because of her job at MAM.
“I chose MAM because ever since I was a junior in high school the Lord had really laid on my heart a desire to work with inner-city/underprivileged kids
Chatman said that she didn’t want to speak much on the education system, but being able to go into the schools gives her a “clearer picture of the school system,” and her “heart breaks for the experience and education many of our kids in Memphis are receiving.”
“My view is that our children in this city need to be prayed for regularly, need love and support, and need grace as they are facing a lot of opposition,” said Chatman.
MAM includes a bible verse in the organization’s mission, “Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…love your neighbor as yourself.”-Matthew 22: 37-39
“I just got back from India, Mumbai to be exact, and I can tell you kids in Memphis are no different from kids in India, or Africa, or Honduras,” said Odom. “They are just kids who are looking for someone to love them in a tangible way.”
“Every child, no matter what environment they come from deserves to be kid, enjoy their childhood, have fun and see that they are very important in Gods economy,” said Odom.
Leroy Grimes has been working for Memphis Athletic Ministries for 12 years. He began working for the ministry when he was sixteen, and got involved with MAM when he was 11 years old.
“Being apart of MAM as a kid was life changing,” said Grimes.
Grimes said as a student in MAM he was able to meet men mentors to that helped change the direction of his life. He also said that his “whole out look on life” was changed when he was able to learn what a real Christian looked like.
“Growing up all I saw was drugs in my household,” said Grimes. “MAM has taught me I don’t have to go down that road and I can be equally happy.”
Grimes said that after working for MAM deciding to work for the organization was an easy decision because they combined his two favorite things, God and basketball.
Stephanie Chatman is a youth coordinator for Memphis Athletic Ministries. She started working in 2010 as a part time employee and became a full time employee in 2012. She came to Memphis from Illinois and stayed because of her job at MAM.
“I chose MAM because ever since I was a junior in high school the Lord had really laid on my heart a desire to work with inner-city/underprivileged kids
Chatman said that she didn’t want to speak much on the education system, but being able to go into the schools gives her a “clearer picture of the school system,” and her “heart breaks for the experience and education many of our kids in Memphis are receiving.”
“My view is that our children in this city need to be prayed for regularly, need love and support, and need grace as they are facing a lot of opposition,” said Chatman.
MAM includes a bible verse in the organization’s mission, “Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…love your neighbor as yourself.”-Matthew 22: 37-39
“I just got back from India, Mumbai to be exact, and I can tell you kids in Memphis are no different from kids in India, or Africa, or Honduras,” said Odom. “They are just kids who are looking for someone to love them in a tangible way.”