For more than 30 years, Vance Avenue Youth Development Center (VAYDC), a longtime Grantee Partner of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, has served as a safe haven for children and families in South Memphis.

Today, VAYDC serves more than 200 low-income, at-risk children and students daily — including some Saturdays and Sundays — through mentoring, after-school tutoring, meals, summer camps, workforce readiness, counseling, and family support services. The organization also partners with schools and community organizations to help provide educational enrichment, physical activity, and resources that strengthen youth and families across the community.

Now, thanks to support from donors like YOU, along with WFGM and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Giving Tuesday Campaign, a new state-of-the-art playground is underway — creating a safe, welcoming space where children can play, learn, and thrive.

In neighborhoods where safe spaces for children are limited, investments like this help create meaningful opportunities for youth and families. Beyond academics and enrichment, VAYDC helps young people build confidence, develop leadership skills, and imagine brighter futures for themselves and their families.

 

 

 

Creating safe spaces, strengthening families, and expanding opportunity across our city takes long-term investment and community support. With your help, we can continue bringing transformational projects like this to neighborhoods across Memphis.

Together, we are creating stronger investments for stronger communities.