Agape Child & Family Services

Last week, leaders from the nonprofit, business, and public sectors came together around a common goal: building a Memphis where every person has the opportunity to flourish.

The momentum behind the Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County keeps growing because people across our city are choosing collaboration over silos and action over conversation.

We're grateful to and Chief Davis for lending their leadership and encouraging us to keep pushing this work forward, and to our partners at Tennessee Department of Human Services, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development' and Tennessee Department of Children's Services for showing how cross-sector collaboration creates real impact for children, families, and communities.

A special thank you to Lance Villio and Ed Stephens III for helping lead this effort and keeping the vision moving with purpose and urgency, and to our friends at Restore Hope, whose systems-focused approach is helping accelerate the work and strengthen the structures that support human flourishing.

This is what collective impact looks like: Leaders aligned. Partners engaged. Communities empowered. Lives transformed.

The future of Memphis won't be built by any one organization alone. It will be built by all of us, working together to make sure every child, every family, and every neighborhood has the opportunity to thrive.

Last week, we had the honor of hosting the team in Memphis.

They traveled from Washington, DC, for one reason: to see firsthand what Human Flourishing looks like when it moves from theory into real life.

They listened to stories of resilience, hope, and transformation. They saw the work and more importantly, the people behind it.

And they left energized, because what's happening in Memphis isn't just a program. It's a growing movement toward a city where every child, every family, and every neighborhood has the opportunity.

Thank you Pastor Hunt and for hosting us.

Happening now: the Human Flourishing Initiative launch event.

We’re honored to hear from Mayor Paul Young, Chief C.J. Davis, and Agape President & CEO David Jordan as they share a vision for stronger communities and brighter futures.

Learn more: https://www.flourishtn.org

Collective Impact is coming to Memphis! Join us on June 10th at The Dwelling Place-Memphis

The Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County invites you to "The Power Of Collective Impact" -- a gathering of non-profit, faith-based, and local and state leaders.

June 10, 2026
9 am to 10:30 am
(with optional HopeHub demo after)

The Dwelling Place in Memphis

RSVP: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fpages%2Fresponsepage.aspx%3Fid%3DELCTLBcB60e-dFxjRERvhSyTM5uaUchFmhi7dcSJVKlUN0JVMjY3R0VBNTNFVkI0RFJTWFVPT1VaMS4u%26route%3Dshorturl%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExMWEwc0I1V3N4TFZjSjVwRHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5OPWw-XX9bJo6S2qWTIpkJxnmef6ctHF5lkmZlIrYQTzA2XunSrh4ch_MtHw_aem_qi9b-avDNSoOVBx-b3jftg&h=AUDcKObIm8Pio5EkPj6_FvuQF0M4W4OADCLbfqCzBxa0BLz1z61wT6TbgSG_1giSzrohpKa5BY0mQ_yRdCgTTfAiHI0kEmptfnWfiZXe0LNu7jgna0plRQA1oP7EbK9SVbIiaLZott27pA&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUDmWePuoBvKB5moOJEOLOd1aMWJHGL7ptzgC83_u8pBXaPcdBzCzqZ-mGg0xF1Fwuly1Z1Gf8ngWIBIm66ulZxiGyvOtf7gLHrDzyixCjRMPo7ufXjrU-W7Rbagg2-_Dce4tn2E5VEcrKPhl-CFbmLA_yxCsshhvj1pDCLXFPyVExxaqC6IokJ1tU94DyaPQBPfp8sIb8Iqw0kNEPSmjnHTZw

A recent Memphis Business Journal article highlighted an important conversation happening across Memphis — one centered on hope, resilience and community flourishing.

Through the Memphis Hope Initiative, Agape Child & Family Services is partnering with city leaders, churches, nonprofits and community organizations to help build a more hope-centered Memphis.

By introducing the Science of Hope framework into programs and partnerships, this work is helping strengthen well-being, address the effects of trauma and support families as they move toward stability and opportunity.

Hope is more than a feeling, it’s something we can build together.

Read the article: https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2026/05/01/hope-creates-competitive-advantage-workplace.html

We are excited and thankful to be 1 of the 3 pilots for the State of Tennessee, leading the TN Human Flourishing Initiative.

The Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County invites you to "The Power Of Collective Impact" -- a gathering of non-profit, faith-based, and local and state leaders.

June 10, 2026
9 am to 10:30 am
(with optional HopeHub demo after)

The Dwelling Place in Memphis

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ELCTLBcB60e-dFxjRERvhSyTM5uaUchFmhi7dcSJVKlUN0JVMjY3R0VBNTNFVkI0RFJTWFVPT1VaMS4u&route=shorturl

Participants include:

✔ David Jordan, CEO of Agape

✔ Paul Young, Mayor of Memphis

✔ C.J. David, Chief of Memphis Police

✔ Lance Villio, Executive Director of the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative

✔ Karen Bryant, Deputy Commissioner of TN Department of Children's Services

✔ DeShawn Harris, West TN Assistant Commissioner TN Department of Children's Services

✔ DeWayne Scott, Deputy Commissioner TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

✔ Gary Wilson, Assistant Commissioner of TN Department of Human Services

✔ Paul Chapman, Executive Director of Restore Hope

The Human Flourishing Initiative is an ecosystem of care for vulnerable Tennesseans in Shelby County.

Hope grows when communities come together.

On Friday, Agape Teamworks was proud to partner with Dress for Success Memphis, American Job Center - Greater Memphis to host a career readiness event encouraging individuals pursuing their goals and dreams.

From aspiring social workers to future real estate professionals, participants were connected to resources, opportunities, and support designed to help them thrive.

Thank you to everyone who helped create a welcoming and impactful experience. Together, we are building hope, expanding opportunities, and helping families flourish.

Agape Summer Camp is back! Children ages 5–11 can enjoy literacy, enrichment, meals, and meaningful connection in a safe, fun environment.

June 1–July 2
Monday–Thursday | 9 AM–2 PM
Abundant Grace Fellowship Church

Spots are limited! For more information, call 901-649-6098 or 901-496-9276.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Today we honor the legacy of Tricia Lillard through Agape’s annual Love Like Tricia campaign.

Tricia fostered nearly 30 children and adopted two as her own, dedicating her life to caring for children in need. Today, the Tricia Lillard Endowment Fund continues that mission by supporting foster children and families pursuing adoption.

Help us continue her legacy by supporting the fund. 💜
https://agapemeanslove.org/donations/