Our Programs

1st P.L.A.C.E. Tutoring

1st P.L.A.C.E. Tutoring was established in 2003 as an after-school tutoring resource for youth who face academic and behaviorial challenges. Through the generous donations of its primary partners, First Baptist Church, Fairview Junior High, and Rhodes College, 1st P.L.A.C.E. Tutoring provides academic intervention, behavior modification sessions, nutritious meals and recreation. Since 2003, over 85% of 1st P.L.A.C.E. Tutoring participants have improved in academics and behavior and moved on to achieve such successes as being on the honor roll, principals list, and being inducted into the National Honor Society. Through the generosity of various partners and collaborations, over $65,000 in funds and in-kind services have been donated to 1st P.L.A.C.E. Tutoring. Our goal for each child to improve one letter grade in two subjects. However, in order to accomplish this goal, we recognize that other economic and social barriers must be addressed and overcome. In addition to tutoring sessions, 1st P.L.A.C.E. Tutoring also offers character enhancement sessions, instructional recreation, and snacks. All of this takes place in a multi-purpose recreational facility designed to provide a safe environment for inner city and midtown youth to learn and grow.

Our staff includes a variety of carefully selected, knowledgeable, and experienced volunteers who all share a common passion for the enrichment of our youth through educational values. To receive enrollment or volunteer information, and/or to make a donation, please contact us here.

Character Enhancement: Character Enhancement is a behavior modification program that deals with the most common issues facing inner-city youth today. Allowing the youth to express themselves in journals, or one-on-one with counselors. This component is designed solely to help with inappropriate behavior, focus, and academic performances.

Academic Intervention: 1st P.L.A.C.E. offers academic intervention in support and alignment with Memphis City Schools existing guidelines and curriculum. Enrollment consists of middle and high school students. Due to significant deficiency in academic performances of our participants, 1st P.L.A.C.E. provides foundational teaching that address basic academic needs in efforts to improve the overall performance of each participant. 85% of 1st Place Tutoring participants improve academically and behaviorally and continue to excel at school, home and in the community.

Nutritional Meals: Students are given a well balanced meal every day. Research has shown that there are reciprocal relations between eating healthy and performing well. Unfortunately, for many participants this will be the only solid meal that they will receive for the evening.

Recreation: During structured recreations, students not only learn the fundamental rules of the games, good sportsmanship and teamwork, but are encouraged to re-create a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere after hard work.

Schedule: Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM at First Baptist Church

Club No Other Name (Club NON)

The purpose of Club NON is to provide a safe environment for youth to learn, develop and engage in positive interaction and structured recreation. Club No Other Name provides elementary students a safe place to display their talents and build both social and athletic skills, and Christ-centered teaching. Club No Other Name is an after school recreational program for elementary youth. A typical day at Club NON consists of a Character Building Session where age-appropriate games and discussions deal with topics like decision making and emotions. The recreation includes things like basketball, dodge ball, and bowling. Part of the program is to teach children official rules of each game, good sportsmanship, and teamwork. The youth are also given a nutritious snack and the responsibility of assisting with clean-up. Being recognized by Snowden School as a legitimate community resource, Club NON positively impacts the youth on a weekly basis. Teachers from Snowden have also volunteered their time and talent. To-date, Club NON has served over 700 youth and continues to be a reliable and significant support to the Evergreen community.

Schedule: Thursdays 2:30 pm-4:30 pm at Open Door Bible Church - 1792 N. Parkway - Memphis, TN 38112

Family X’treme

This program is really about having a night of safe family fun filled with great recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball, racquetball, ping pong, bowling, and other structured activities. Family X'treme is a safe recreational outlet designed for the entire family. Participants range from infancy to senior citizens. While older participants are more interested in just relaxing, enjoying good food and the atmosphere, tired and exhausted parents are given the opportunity to relax and recreate as their toddlers are involved in age-appropriate activities ("Kiddie X'treme"). Teenagers blow off steam in healthy ways through sports while others engage in less strenuous activities suchas card and board games. Through collaborative efforts with Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Club X'treme was established in 2002 as a safe recreational outlet for middle and high school youth in the Evergreen community. Offering structured recreational activities and character-building sessions, Club X'treme became a safe haven and getaway for many teenagers (ages 12-18) on Monday nights. As the teenagers began to pour into the facility and enrollment began to increase drastically, it was evident that Club X'treme had reached capacity in the Evergreen recreational center, so Club X'treme was relocated to the Recreational Center at First Baptist Church in 2003. Soon thereafter, many participants began to invite their family members to the Monday night Club. Hence the name was changed to Family X'treme and services were extended to the Binghamton community. Currently, Family X'treme has over 600 participants enrolled and continues to grow. Within a two year period, over $20,000 in donations and in-kind services has been donated to this weekly outreach from various partners. By providing activities for the entire family in one facility, Family X'treme displays and encourages unity, love and fun.

Schedule: Monday Nights 6 PM-8 PM at First Baptist Church (Family Life Center) - 200 E Parkway North - Memphis, TN 38112

Alternative Solution

Alternative Solution is becoming an intregal part of alternative schools and programs. It offers services in the areas of academic intervention and behavior modification. It is a positive and motivating force, impacting not only academic performances and behavior, but their view of the world around them. Many youth lack the inspiration necessary to succeed at anything. Therefore, MAYPS seeks to infuse hope, equip them for academic and social success, and motivate them to positively change. Our first response is to connect with the Pyramid Academy (the largest alternative school in the Memphis City School system).