MIFA meets
the critical needs of children and parents. These programs stabilize families
in crisis, address homelessness and equip urban teens for success.
• Emergency Services assists eligible clients in
crisis with rent, mortgage payments, utilities, food, clothing and other
necessities. 527-0226
• Housing Opportunities provides transitional housing, case management
and life skills training for families who are homeless. The program has 100
housing units. 529-4515
• Teen Job Services provides employment
opportunities for 15-year-olds from the 38126 zip code. Teens learn job skills
and earn money year-round, in addition to receiving educational support,
mentoring and life skills training. 529-4556
• COOL (College Offers Opportunities for Life) offers continuing support to
teens in MIFA’s Teen Job Services and Housing Opportunities programs and
extends the same services to students in the 38126 zip code. COOL’s services
include college admissions coaching and financial aid application assistance. 529-4582
• Life Skills Institute offers homeless families an opportunity to break
unhealthy cycles and learn to live independently and productively with
confidence. Through comprehensive support and individualized attention, each
member of every family is given the skills, tools and opportunity to make a
permanent change. The institute is housed at the Les Passees Center for Children and
Families. 525-7766Plus-1 Assists People in Crisis Through MIFAInterested in helping people in crisis?
You can make a difference every month when you pay your utility bill.The Plus-1 program, administered by MIFA, provides utilities assistance for people in crisis. To contribute, just sign up to have $1 or more added to your monthly MLGW bill. Those funds will be forwarded to MIFA , where case workers determine
client eligibility. Who is eligible for Plus-1? Plus-1
recipients are individuals living in Shelby County who have experienced genuine
hardships, such as debilitating illness or recent unemployment,
resulting in depleted financial resources.How does Plus-1 work?
MLGW acts as a collection agency for Plus-1 and forwards contributions directly to MIFA each month. MIFA administers the
funds and cooperates with other agencies to see that assistance reaches
those who need it most. A Plus-1 recipient is granted one-time
assistance, which is applied directly to his or her MLGW bill. The program serves as
a “stop gap” measure to those in need, not an ongoing source of
assistance.How can you help? Donating to Plus-1 is easy! To sign up, go to https://service.mlgw.org/serviceforms/plus1/plus1.php.
Contact MIFA at 527-0208 with additional questions.MIFA's services to children and families are made possible by funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Plus-1 donors, the City of Memphis and various corporations, foundations and individuals.
Many thanks to Hilton Hotels Corporation
for its ongoing support of MIFA and the Life Skills Institute.
