Archives for March 2018

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Hickory Hill Clean Up a success this past weekend! We enjoyed joining forces with Juvenile Justice Project partner New Direction Christian Church to make this event happen. Memphis City Beautiful was extremely helpful with getting us supplies and coordinating trash pick up. And we can’t forget the wonderful work that Councilwoman Patrice Robinson‘s office did in connecting us with resources for the clean up. We had over 50 volunteers this weekend,  at least 15 of which were young people knocking out community service hours, come together to clean up the neighborhoods around Winchester Road.

The Juvenile Justice Project and our partners believe in the future of Hickory Hill and Memphis as a whole. We are working together as well as with our young people to ensure that our city has a future that includes all of us. We are working on a year long clean up effort of Winchester Road in hopes of attracting new business and increasing community pride. We also host monthly meetings to plan projects and find ways to work together. Be on the look out for continued ways to get involved with this project!

The JJP is working with Juvenile Court to build networks of churches and organizations to address our high number of youth offenders and the lack of opportunities for court ordered community service, specifically in the areas of Hickory Hill & Bartlett. We believe that youth are the solution, not the problem so we work with these teens to help them find their place in their  communities through transformative service opportunities. Studies continue to show that punitive measures often lead to a continued life of crime as opposed to seeking more rehabilitative opportunities, MSPJC firmly adheres to the idea of working with those most affected by the issues. Help us build a better Memphis and partner with our youth.

If you are interested in helping young people in Hickory Hill or Bartlett knock out their service hours in a way that will help them reconnect to their communities reach out to Faith Pollan by email (faith@midsouthpeace.org) or call the center at 901-725-4990.

In Solidarity, 

The Staff of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center

The Memphis Bus Riders Union is a grassroots organization fighting for accessible, affordable, and equitable public transit in our city. Our members are people who depend on MATA and supporters, and our work is essential for highlighting the racism and classism present in Memphis’ grossly inadequate bus system. 

Greetings, transit warriors! MBRU is holding a 6th Anniversary Fundraiser next month! Join us on Saturday, April 14th, 12 PM, at the Memphis Center for Independent Living (1633 Madison). You can get there on the #2 bus! We’ll celebrate last year’s victories with food and fellowship, show BRU members in videos by Robert Rowan and WatchLoveWork, and tell our supporters about upcoming campaigns. Admission is a $5 suggested donation, but no one will be turned away. Mark your calendars!

MBRU has also been lucky to do outreach with several student groups in the past two weeks! Thanks to  volunteers from Purdue University, University of Kansas, and Wellesley College, we’ve been able to spread the word about our message at bus stops and houses in Midtown and South Memphis. The picture above is from last Thursday, when a group from the University of Kansas met us at Bellevue and McLemore. Be on the lookout for MBRU members in other parts of town as we keep building the movement!

Finally, we’re encouraging MBRU members and supporters to wear your MBRU shirts and buttons on April 4th in support of transit justice! All over town, Memphians will be paying homage to the legacy of Martin Luther King with marches, performances, and ceremonies. Whether you’re at the AFSCME Union Hall or the National Civil Rights Museum, we’ll take this time to remember Dr. King’s legacy as a fighter for public transit that serves the working poor and people of color.Media 

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MBRU holds meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month. If you have any questions, or you’re interested in joining our work, contact organizer Justin Davis at justin@midsouthpeace.org. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see more updates!

 

StreetWise INK is Memphis’ only T-Shirt Screen Printing Workers-Cooperative that is organized and operated exclusively by individuals with experiences of homelessness. We provide high-quality, custom, hand printed t-shirts for a variety of needs. Individuals who have experience or training in screen-printing are able to subsidize their income by working with StreetWise INK as well as become potential member-owners upon incorporation.

This Saturday! You will not want to miss the training this Saturday from 2pm to 5pm at StreetWise INK (located in the basement of First Congregational Church at 1000 S Cooper). We have been upgrading the shop and have multiple new designs to choose from. As usual for our biweekly trainings, that are brought to you through Mid-South Peace & Justice Center, they are absolutely free to people with current or former experiences of homelessness, and are pay-what-you-can for folks experiencing poverty. Providing these trainings free of charge for folks in need would not be possible without the generous and vital donations from people like you! So, if you are someone who is interested in what StreetWise INK is doing and would like to be a part of our continued success, we would like to remind you that these trainings are open to the public (on a suggested $5 or more donation + bring your own shirt), and invite you personally to come and see us this Saturday so you can get your shirt printed with one of our awesome new designs!

If you would prefer a more personalized, hands-on group training, StreetWise INK has had the pleasure of training groups from as far away as Purdue and Kansas University and would love schedule an individualized training with your group. Donations from these group trainings are the main funding source for our free trainings. So you not only get a fun experiece with your group and cool new t-shirts to bring home, but you also have the added benefit of knowing that your contributions are what keep StreetWise INK’s trainings free to people who wouldn’t be able to pay for them otherwise. To learn more about the different levels of group trainings we offer, please follow this link.

MSPJC’s FREE Screen Printing & Worker-Cooperative Trainings are not only the lifeblood of bringing in new members to StreetWise INK, but also where individuals with experience of homelessness can come to learn skills that will equip them to enter into the screen-printing industry anywhere, as well as develop cooperative business ownership skills that are beneficial in many ways and in many fields of work and life.

More Exciting Little Tid-Bits:

*Streetwise INK had a blast at H.O.P.E.’s Art Is Love fundraiser over the weekend and were stoked to get to present the new designs created by our Memphis College of Art externs Danika Scones and Tania Cruz!

*ICYMI: We are extremely excited to announce that we have been approved for four of our members to attend COOPECON 2018 from April 20th to the 22nd in Epes, Alabama! This weekend long training is exactly what we’ve been searching for and will be monumental in our development as we press on toward learning everything we need to know before incorporating.

*StreetWise INK would like to send out an enormous THANK YOU to all who attended our very first ever Advisory Board interest meeting! What an amazing group of people! The heart and expertise that was present in the room that night was inspirational and we could not be more grateful. StreetWise is very much looking forward to making it official and welcoming all of them onto our first Advisory Board. So, be on the lookout for introductions to our amazing new team.

*Last but certainly not least, we are thrilled to announce that the Business side of our Free Trainings has begun, and three of our members are now learning how to take new orders, give price quotes, and order materials needed for each job. So, coming soon, your t-shirt orders will give our members the real life practice needed to perfect their new skills!

****To Get a Price Quote for your T-shirt order, please fill out StreetWise INK’s Price Quote Request Form.****

If you would like to volunteer in any way, or make a one time or monthly donation to help us keep our free trainings sustainable, please get in touch!

We’re now on Twitter! Follow us @streetwiseink

Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/streetwiseink/

StreetWise INK is a proud Community Coop Parnter with Democracy at Work!

Email: streetwise@midsouthpeace.org

Phone: 901-725-499

Are you a resident of Klondike Smokey City/ North Memphis area? Join us, this Saturday, March 31st, 10 AM at Katie Sexton Community Center (1235 Brown Ave), for our first in a series of Neighborhood Empowerment Workshops, designed to provide economic, personal, and family support to the community.

Know Your Rights: Attendees of this Saturday’s meeting will participate in an interactive Know Your Rights workshop, providing information on how individuals can protect their rights during encounters with law enforcement, and tips for de-escalating tension during these interactions.

Felony Expungements: Attendees who may have felony records are also encouraged to attend, as Just City will be on hand providing screenings for expungement eligibility and or limited restoration of rights.

Community Service for Gov Assistance? Tennessee has new requirements for individuals receiving government benefits like SNAP & WIC. Individuals considered “able-bodied” without dependents will be required to work or participate in an approved volunteer program for a minimum of 20 hours a week in order to keep their benefits. We want to assist individuals in getting their required hours without putting an undue burden on our communities that are already struggling to make ends meet. Join us and find out more!

The KSC Neighborhood Council meets every month. Keep an eye out in the newsletter for more information about the project and upcoming meeting dates. If you have any questions, or you’re interested in joining our work, contact organizer Cassandra M. Smith at cassandra@midsouthpeace.org

Grassroots Organizer Training for Power (GOT Power), Mid-South Peace and Justice Center’s training program, is committed to building our community’s capacity through building skills in grassroots organizing, providing support to people doing community work and offering oppression awareness and liberation education.

Our method of education is Popular and Direct Education. Direct education means education that directly confronts and challenges the current system of injustice, which includes traditional education. Rather than traditional education, which gives all the expertise to textbooks and teachers, Direct Education invites the expertise of the people themselves. Direct Education is about liberation and empowerment — going to the direct source of wisdom: the community itself!

Please contact us to get more information and schedule a training in your group or community. Fees are negotiable, scholarships are available and donations for scholarships are greatly appreciated.

Trainings can be designed specifically for established groups, organizations, campaigns, coalitions, etc. Comprehensive weekend workshops on specific organizing skill sets, issue or community-specific formats are available.

Trainings in Spanish are also available. All trainings are offered in English or Spanish as requested. We work and collaborate with bilingual trainers and facilitators.

G.O.T Poder – Entrenamientos en Español

For more information visit G.O.T.Power or write to GotPower@midsouthpeace.org

 ≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈ Please Let Us Know What You Think ≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈

The Training Department of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center (G.O.T. Power) would like to hear from the movement community. We want to know what you think about us and how we could better support your work or group! Please take a couple minutes to complete this short survey. This survey is for everyone, whether you have attended a workshop or not! Feel free to list your name or remain anonymous.

G.O.T Power Survey

https://midsouthpeace.org/2018/03/28/2702/

 

The Memphis Bus Riders Union is a grassroots organization fighting for accessible, affordable, and equitable public transit in our city. Our members are people who depend on MATA and supporters, and our work is essential for highlighting the racism and classism present in Memphis’ grossly inadequate bus system.

Greetings, transit warriors! MBRU is holding a 6th Anniversary Fundraiser next month! Join us on Saturday, April 14th, 12 PM, at the Memphis Center for Independent Living (1633 Madison). You can get there on the #2 bus! We’ll celebrate last year’s victories with food and fellowship, show BRU members in videos by Robert Rowan and WatchLoveWork, and tell our supporters about upcoming campaigns. Admission is a $5 suggested donation, but no one will be turned away. Mark your calendars!

Also, it’s almost time for the March MATA Board meeting! Come out on Tuesday, March 27th, to the MATA Headquarters (1370 Levee Rd). You can get there on the #42 bus. The board will be voting on upcoming service changes, so if you still have concerns or issues you can bring them up here!

Finally, we’re encouraging MBRU members and supporters to wear your MBRU shirts and buttons on April 4th in support of transit justice! All over town, Memphians will be paying homage to the legacy of Martin Luther King with marches, performances, and ceremonies. Whether you’re at the AFSCME Union Hall or the National Civil Rights Museum, we’ll take this time to remember Dr. King’s legacy as a fighter for public transit that serves the working poor and people of color.

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MBRU holds meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month. If you have any questions, or you’re interested in joining our work, contact organizer Justin Davis at justin@midsouthpeace.org. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see more updates!

About StreetWise INK:

StreetWise INK is Memphis’ only T-Shirt Screen Printing Workers-Cooperative that is organized and operated exclusively by individuals with experiences of homelessness. They provide high-quality, custom, hand printed t-shirts for a variety of needs. Unlike the vast majority of businesses that seek to “empower the homeless,” Streetwise Ink is unique in that it has been worker-led from its inception. StreetWise INK is further developing their screen printing and business skills while creating steady jobs and income for themselves and others with experiences of homelessness, poverty, and other obstacles to finding meaningful and sustainable work in the Memphis area.

News:

1.  It was great getting to see everyone at Living the Legacy of Nonviolence, and inspiring to get to hear the amazing Rosa Clemente! Thank you to everyone who came and checked out or bought t-shirts. (We hope you enjoy them.)
2.  This week StreetWise INK had an amazing time facilitating screen printing trainings for Alternative Spring Break students from Purdue and Kansas University. Unfortunately, our flashdryer that cures the plastisol ink onto the shirts went on the fritz, so we’re desperately trying to get it fixed in time to finish some really great designs that our two interns from Memphis College of Art created for the H.O.P.E. Art is Love fundraiser coming up this Saturday.
3.  More good news: StreetWise INK’s application to attend COOPECON 2018 was accepted!!!! Now for the planning of the fundraiser to get us there! (Please contact us if you would like to volunteer to help!)
4.  Even more good news: Wednesday, March 21, we will be having our first ever interest meeting for people who might want to be a part of StreetWise by creating an Advisory Board! We are so grateful for everyone finding a common date and time to come together on our behalf and can’t wait to meet everyone. Stay tuned for updates!

Donation-Based Training
***If you are interested in signing up individually or as a group for the donation-based Screen Printing Trainings, please follow this link to find out more about our suggested donation ranges for the different trainings.***

Free Trainings
***If you or someone you know has experience of homelessness, living in poverty, or other barriers to sustainable, dignified employment, please feel free to sign up for one or all of the Free Screen Printing & Worker-Cooperative Trainings that are every other Saturday from 2pm to 5pm at First Congregational Church, located at 1000 Cooper (near Cooper-Young intersection).***

To Get a Price Quote
Please fill out StreetWise INK’s Price Quote Request Form.

Follow StreetWise INK on Facebook: https://facebook.com/streetwiseink/

Email: streetwise@midsouthpeace.org

Phone: 901-725-4990

The Klondike Smokey City Neighborhood has been chosen by Whole Child Strategy Inc., a funding source for neighborhoods to implement a neighborhood focused child centered program. The concept is to equip neighborhood stakeholders to organize a grassroot neighborhood council that will be able to advocate for the needs they have identified for their community. These needs are in reference to a child’s attendance, behavior and course completion. To divide the work and work towards solutions, committees will manage such tasks. We have started with the Transportation Committee and will have other committees follow that represent the issues identified by meeting participants. Those proposed committees will be; Community and School Relations; Mental Health and Wellbeing; Crime and Safety; and others that are designed to help KSC thrive as a community.

Because Whole Child believes that the communities and neighborhoods are the most important resource network for young people and their families, Whole Child Inc. is dedicated to making sure the community is the driving force behind the work, they are providing support to ensure the success and sustainability of the KSC Neighborhood.

The support includes partners that provides a host of resources that allows the Klondike Smokey City Neighborhood Council to be the neighborhood’s connection to community resources such as counseling, child and family advocacy, youth mentoring, parenting resources and so much more.

The next Neighborhood Council meeting is March 22, 2018 at 5:00 pm at Dave Wells Community Center. The first Satellite Meeting Series, which is titled Neighborhood Empowerment Workshops are designed to provide economic, personal, and family support to the community, will be March 31, 2018 at 10:00 am at Katie Sexton Community Center. You are welcome to join the movement.

The KSC has a Neighborhood Council meeting every month. Keep an eye out in the newsletter for more information about the project and upcoming meeting dates. If you have any questions, or you’re interested in joining our work, contact organizer Cassandra M. Smith at cassandra@midsouthpeace.org

In Solidarity, 

The Staff of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center