We welcome the opportunity to tell your group about all of the exciting things that are happening at FirstWorks. To schedule an event with one of our speakers, please call 526-8228 and speak with Pastor Bee or Cathy Armstrong.
“Pastor Bee” as she is affectionately called, is an ordained Methodist minister with multiple degrees, including a Masters of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Originally from Denmark, Pastor Bee also served many years as a missionary in Africa.
She has been FirstWorks’ Executive Director for over two years and was responsible for the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet opening its doors just four weeks after a horrific fire destroyed the former location at First United Methodist Church.
The mother of two teenagers, Pastor Bee brings an insightful understanding of Memphis’ inner-city issues and has developed a close, caring relationship with the children in the FIrstWorks’ Children’s Program and their families. Pastor Bee also serves as Campus Minister at University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Cathy Armstrong came to FirstWorks after spending many years volunteering in the Memphis community for organizations such as the Junior League of Memphis, Madonna Circle, and the Delta Gamma Alumni Group.
Also a freelance writer, Cathy has published articles in several local magazines such as At Home In Tennessee, the Main Street Journal and Mid South Magazine. A downtown resident for over 15 years, Cathy is familiar with the feelings of hopelessness and despair that homelessness and poverty bring to our fellow Memphians.
Tracy Crump is a longtime volunteer with the FirstWorks Children’s Program. By including her husband Lee and children Paige and Hailey in time spent at FirstWorks, her love of this ministry has truly become a family affair. In May of this year, Tracy retired from ServiceMaster in order to devote more time to volunteering for FirstWorks.
She is currently completing her first year as a member of the Board of Directors and has lent her time and talent to chairing the Development Committee, and assisting in the long-range planning of the organization and its fund raising activities.
]]>FirstWorks strives to meet the needs of the hungry, homeless, and displaced in downtown Memphis — serving over 3,800 clients through the Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, and the Children's Program.
82 N. Second Street
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 until 2:00
Providing food and hygiene products to those in needClients receive a week's supply of food, including such staples as cereal, pasta, rice, soup, canned meat, fruits and vegetables, as well as snacks and nutritional supplements. Hygiene bags, with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, feminine products and other necessary items, are also distributed as needed.
Families are referred to FirstWorks by many local social service agencies such as MIFA, the Street Ministry at 600 Poplar, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Memphis and Shelby County Homeless Children and Youth Program, among others.
Walk-ins are given travel bags containing nutritional snacks, such as granola bars, juice drinks, canned fruit and meat and travel-sized hygiene products.
Food to stock the Food Pantry is donated by the Memphis community, downtown churches, and other faith-based organizations and is supplemented, as needed, with purchases from the Memphis Food Bank. All non-perishable food and hygiene products are needed.
82 N. Second Street
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 until 2:00
The only free source of clothing in the downtown area: Clothes are arranged by size and clients shop for their particular style and color preferences. A Career Closet offers a week's supply of workplace-suitable clothing for clients who are entering or perhaps re-entering the work force.
The Clothes Closet operates entirely on donations. New or gently-worn men's, women's and children's clothing is always needed.
Union Avenue United Methodist Church
2117 Union Avenue (corner of Union and Cooper)
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 until 8:00
Operating two nights each weekHomeless and displaced children from three of the poorest zip codes in the nation, are referred into the program during the first or second grade by the Memphis City School system. The criteria for acceptance are children who have the academic ability to learn and excel in school but lack a support system at home.
Twice weekly during the school year, the children are picked up by the FirstWorks bus, brought in for a hot, nutritious meal, then participate in academic lessons, life-skill initiatives, tutoring, and assistance in completing class projects. Most importantly they experience love, acceptance, a sense of belonging and glimpses of hope for the future.
FirstWorks also provides back to school uniforms and backpacks with grade level school supplies, which are replenished every six weeks.
]]>"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
All of our clothing comes from donations. To donate stop by 82 North Second Street from 9:30 to 2:00 Tuesday through Friday or call 526-8228. To schedule a clothing drive for your organization or business, call Cathy Armstrong at 526-8228.
To donate non-perishable food items, stop by 82 North Second Street from 9:30 to 2:00 Tuesday through Friday or call 526-8228. To schedule a Food or Can Drive for your organization or business, call Cathy Armstrong at 526-8228.
All of the money to support the FirstWorks Childrens Program comes from donations. To lend your support call (901) 526-8228 or mail a check to FirstWorks, 82 North Second Street, Memphis, TN 38103.
]]>FirstWorks is a non-denominational, faith-based, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that strives to meet the needs of the hungry, homeless and displaced citizens in downtown Memphis.
FirstWorks was founded in 1988 at First United Methodist Church by Dr. Tom Wilson under the name of Final Net. In August, 1992, the name was officially changed to FirstWorks. FirstWorks became a 501(c)3 corporation at that time.
FirstWorks was housed in the building adjacent to the First United Methodist Church at 204 North Second Street that burned on October 6, 2006. The Food Pantry and Clothes Closet were totally detroyed due to smoke and fire damage. All of the classroom fcilities used by the children's program were destroyed and a new computer lab used by the children in their studies was melted. Despite this horrific loss, the Food Bank and Clothes Closet reopened on November 7, a short four weeks later. The new site at 82 North Second Street offers a central location that is busier than ever meeting food and clothing needs for the homeless. The Children's Program didn't miss s single session!
The timeliness displayed by FirstWorks in reopening our doors to meet the needs of the less fortunate, even in the midst of this devestating loss, speaks highly of our visibility in the community, our ability to manage and direct resources and volunteers, and our determination not to be deterred from the mission to which God has called us
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