Our Mission
Connecting God's resources in order to renew families and individuals in downtown Memphis.
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.
The History of FirstWorks
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.
