A Brief Response to the New York Times Article

If you're a Memphian and haven't yet read "The New Poor: Blacks in Memphis Lose Decades of Economic Gains," then you should do so. But after you do, there are a couple things we want to tell you.

First, we want you to know that despite the injustice and poverty present in Memphis, Advance Memphis is seeing unemployed and low-income Memphians FIND HOPE. We see this in many ways, but this week hope came in the form of an internal report on the status of our Mercy Loans. We use Mercy Loans to help graduates avert a crisis; they help graduates avoid check cashing loans and other usorious options. Of 18 loans issued this year, 13 have already been repaid. Of the remaining 5, only 2 are in default; 3 are active and in good standing. People in the poorest urban zip code in Tennessee are repaying loans (and saving for assets, see below).

Second, we want you to know that you can join us in supporting CHANGE in Memphis. Residents of the poorest urban zip code in Tennessee are working to improve their educations, find jobs, save for assets, and become economically independent. Contributing to Advance provides job readiness and workforce development for neighborhood residents. It provides GED tutoring, employment options, budget counseling and more. Contributing specifically to our IDA Program provides matching dollars for savings accounts used to purchase capacity building assets (below, see Darlene Gandy with the car she purchased through the IDA Program.)

Psalm 82:3-4 (The Message)
"Enough! You've corrupted justice long enough, you've let the wicked get away with murder. You're here to defend the defenseless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break; Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them."