Memphis Allies Posts

Most Recent Memphis Allies Posts

Nothing to Lose

Nothing to Lose

‘These guys have nothing to lose’ is why Memphis Allies’ Tito Porter does what he does A gun, Tito Porter says, is just a means to an end. In fact, at age 19, it enabled Porter to have his own place. “My first apartment on my own was a jail cell,” he said. Porter stayed more than four years. By the time he got out, he had learned money was worthless compared to freedom.

Quincy reaches potential with SWITCH Youth

Quincy reaches potential with SWITCH Youth

Memphis Allies’ SWITCH Youth program is not just trying to reach teenagers who might be prone to finding trouble. Rather, the goal is to reach those most at risk for involvement in gun violence.

Trust is Earned, We’re Earning it

Trust is Earned, We’re Earning it

Trust is earned, and Memphis Allies is earning it In the spring of 2022 in Raleigh/Frayser, Memphis Allies sent its first team of outreach specialists into neighborhoods rife with gun violence. Carl Davis, who is Memphis Allies’ operations director, and Trevon Toney,...
Gun Violence Reduction Effort

Gun Violence Reduction Effort

New city/county office another step in the gun violence reduction effort

Sometimes, collaboration is a synonym for efficiency and effectiveness.

More Memphis Allies Posts

Ashley Furniture and The Grizzlies

Ashley Furniture and The Grizzlies

Community Spotlight: Ashley’s and the Grizzlies give children a special night at FedEx Forum  Ashley’s Hope to Dream initiative partnered with the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Allies to bring beds to the children and siblings of Memphis Allies participants and...

Training Never Stops

Training Never Stops

At Memphis Allies, the training never stops Every day in Memphis, businesses provide their employees with continuing education and new training. It’s a temperature check of sorts.   How are our employees doing? Are they consistently applying best practices? Where can...

Meet Christina

Meet Christina

Behind the Scenes with Memphis Allies: Christina Gann, a guiding light  When the Memphis Allies initiative to reduce gun violence launched in 2021, the enormity of the challenge was understood:   People on the front lines would be working with a high-risk population,...

Meet Randy

Meet Randy

Elite Boxing and Randy Dixon Partner with SWITCH Youth Psychology student, college basketball player, and gang member. Randy Dixon was all three and not necessarily in that order. In fact, Dixon paired what he had learned in psychology class with his innate court...

Meet Cody

Meet Cody

Meet Cody Brown: Helping Memphis Allies participants enter the workforce  Creating strong community ties is critical when it comes to the work of Memphis Allies and that is just what Vocational Coordinator Cody Brown does. “My job is to do all the behind-the-scenes...

Meet Portia

Meet Portia

Connecting high-risk individuals to the right services: Meet Portia Memphis Allies is increasing services to individuals at highest-risk for involvement in gun violence. Every day, Portia talks to youth, families and young adults, helping them connect to the right...

Meet Outreach Specialist Antonio Dowdy

Meet Outreach Specialist Antonio Dowdy

Antonio Dowdy uses his experiences to save lives and reduce gun violence. Antonio Dowdy learned all the hard lessons guns can teach a young man in Memphis. Now, he’s working to make sure others learn from his experience and take easier paths.   Dowdy grew up in the...

Meet Life Coach Angelo

Meet Life Coach Angelo

MEET MEMPHIS ALLIES: ANGELO, LIFE COACH, LIFELINE TO SUCCESS SWITCH TEAMCHANGING LIVES IS HIS CAREER Angelo was facing a really tough situation. He was living in a hotel and didn’t have the money to pay for even another night. He and everything he owned was about to...

Meet Renardo and I Shall Not Die But Live! 

Meet Renardo and I Shall Not Die But Live! 

Memphis Allies is expanding the SWITCH – Support with Intention to Create Hope -- program to Orange Mound with a new partner and office. SWITCH serves individuals aged 17 to 30 who are at highest risk for involvement in gun violence. SWITCH is now serving...

This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee and with support of other funders