About MAYPS

Vision

The Memphis Area Youth Preservation Society is a faith-based, non-profit organization designed to present hope and positive self-awareness among high priority youth in the Memphis Metropolitan Area, especially those in alternative schools and programs. The vision of MAYPS is to provide holistic and effective outreach (support) to high priority youth in the greater Memphis area through academic, recreational and social components. "High priority youth" signifies those who are considered at-risk and threatening to become unproductive citizens. With this in mind, the final component of MAYPS's mission is to impact the lives of youth in alternative schools and programs. The Memphis City School system consists of over 116,000 students. The most recent national statistics site that 2% of all students qualify for alternative programs (National Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey 1998). Therefore, approximately 2300 students in the Memphis City Schools qualify for alternative programs. The alternative schools programs in the Memphis City Schools have an overwhelming challenge. Therefore, MAYPS desires to provide support and assistance to alternative schools, by equipping students with the skills and attributes that motivate and encourage them to choose positive alternatives.

Mission

The Memphis Area Youth Preservation Societys (MAYPS) mission is to present hope and positive self-awareness among high priority youth in the Memphis Metropolitan area, especially those in alternative schools and programs. To accomplish this mission, MAYPS provides supplemental educational services that address the academic , behavioral and socio-economic barriers that contribute to failure. The mission is also accomplished by providing safe recreational facilities and programs that introduce new environments and cultures designed to encourage family involvement.

History

Founded in 1999, the Memphis Area Youth Preservation Society(MAYPS), began with a passion to see high priority youth excel in academics, social interaction and community involvement. The desire of MAYPS was to build a strong bond between the community, home, school and church and would make it impossible for youth to fail. Building collaborations with neighborhood churches and schools, MAYPS began its quest to change the lives of the youth in the Midtown/Evergreen community.

Officially chartered in 2000 as a safe recreational outreach for high priority youth in the Midtown/Evergreen community, MAYPS provides a safe environment for troubled adolescents to relax and just be kids. The desire is to impart hope to those children who fall through the cracks of the school system.

Partnering with Open Door Bible Church to provide this safe haven, Club No Other Name (NON) was formed. Club NON is designed to provide elementary students a safe place to display their talents and build their social and athletic skills through structured recreational activities and Christ-centered character teachings. To date, Club NON has ministered to over 400 kids in the Evergreen community.

Because of the great response from the kids in the midtown community, MAYPS was forced to open another location with another community church, Evergreen Presbyterian Church. In 2002, Club X’treme was formed. Club X’treme is designed to provide a safe and exciting recreational environment for Middle and High school youth, ages 11-17. Club X’treme to date has ministered to over 700 kids.

Due to the tremendous success of Club X’treme, another communtiy requested a partnership with MAYPS in reaching out to the Binghampton Community. Partnering with First Baptist Church of Memphis, MAYPS developed a tutoring program called 1st P.L.A.C.E. (Productive Learning Academic & Character Enhancement) Tutoring, the only tutoring program in Shelby County, Tennessee to operate Monday through Friday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The purpose of 1st PLACE Tutoring is to provide a holistic and effective means of assisting identified students, particularly those from Fairview Junior High School, who face educational and behavioral challenges. The goal of 1st PLACE is to improve two subjects one letter grade. Since its conception, 1st PLACE has achieved and exceeded its goal to improve the academic and behavioral performances of its participants. Year to date over 90% of the students have improved academically and behaviorally.

Because of the success of 1st PLACE Tutoring, MAYPS expanded its mission to the Binghampton community by providing another opportunity specifically designed for the entire family to share in food, fun and fellowship, called Family X’treme. Family X’treme provides services to over 400 families and continues to grow.