Adult Literacy

Literacy resources for adults ages 18 and up. Visit the links below to find the resources that match your needs.

Service Providers

These organizations provide adult learners with educational resources such as HiSet, GED, ELL, and much more.

Services Offered
•Tutoring
• Small Group Learning
• One-on-One Learning
Cost: One-time fee of $10, then tutoring is free.
Contact:
Stacy Early, Adult Program Director Email: searly@literacymidsouth.org
Ziara Smith, Adult Education Lead
Email: zsmith@literacymidsouth.org
Phone: 901-201-6028
Address: 66 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, 4th Floor
Services: • Job Training Program • Literacy Volunteer Opportunities • Computer and Technology Classes • Adult Literacy Programs • GED Prep • Money Management Skills
Age(s): 18+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Kelsey Martin Dees
Community Engagement Manager
kmartin@advancememphis.org
901-543-8525 ext. 22
Address: 769 Vance Ave, 38126
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Services (All Ages):
• Reading and writing
• Enable parents to help their children learn English language
• Math
• How to use Computers/Technology
• Volunteer at a Program
Cost: Free
Contact: Rhonda Logan
(901) 373-7219 Ext:5510
admin@bolcc.org
Address:
3795 Frayser Raleigh Rd, 38128
Services
• Literacy Assessments
• Reading Comprehension
• Work Place Literacy Skills
• Job Training
• GED Prep
Cost: Free
Age(s): 18+
Contact: Albert Richardson, Jr. – Executive Director
Phone: (901) 367-7550
Address: 4023 Knight Arnold Rd., 38118
Services:
• GED Prep
• Rehab Services
• Adult Literacy
Age(s): 18+
Cost: Income Based
Contact:
Arvella White
(901) 821-5600
priorityteachersuniversity@gmail.com
Address:
3171 Directors Row, 38131
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DLC provides educational programs and support services to adult female students with limited resources. We offer classes in High School Equivalency; English as a Second Language; Citizenship Test Preparation; Computer Basics; and Sewing. We also offer employment and career counseling, tutoring, and monthly enrichment workshops. We serve more than 300 women each year and provide childcare for over 75 children.
Services: High School Equivalency; English as a Second Language; Citizenship Test Preparation; Computer Basics; and Sewing
Age(s): 18+
Cost: $20
Contact: Michelle Hobbs – Instructor/Administrative Assistant
Phone: 901-726-5902
Address: 190 South Cooper Street, 38104
DreamWeavers Learning Academy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing academic services to the Memphis community. We support our community in any area of education that we can such as tutoring for grades PreK through 12th grade, and high school diploma equivalency services, English language classes, and Spanish language classes.
Services (All Ages):
• Reading and writing
• To help my child learn
• To study for high school equivalency
• English language
• Math
• Family literacy program
• Instruction in Spanish
Cost: $20
Contact:
Twana Goodrich
(901) 297-2586
dreamweaversla@outlook.com
Address:
6030 Knight Arnold Road, 38115
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During orientation, students will receive an introduction to HopeWorks’ Adult Education program and will be able to choose a class that fits their schedule. Students will also take the TABE test to help determine the appropriate class level. Each class meets six hours per week for 8-14 weeks.
Services: GED Program
Ages: 18+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Ron Wade, Executive Director 901.272.3700 x115 rwade@whyhopeworks.org
Address: 3337 Summer Ave, 38122
Phone: 901-396-8800
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Ionomics Adult and Family Services is located in South East Memphis. We provide adult basic education, high school equivalency classes, basic computer, and employment training.
Services:
• Reading and writing
• Find a family literacy program
• How to use Computers/Technology
• Information about the GED Test
Ages: 18+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Venessa Thomas
(901) 870-4899
thomas.faith04@att.net
Address:
6628 Kirby Meadows Cove, 38115
Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to helping women overcome issues related to homelessness, domestic violence and substance abuse. The LINCS Center provides a 52-week personal and development training program that gives women a fresh start. We provide our residents with shelter, food, clothing, support services, transportation assistance and more.
Services: • Case Management
• Anger Management
• Individual and Family Counseling
• Job Readiness
• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
• Parenting
• Court Advocacy
• Life Skill
• Domestic Violence Education
• Nutritional Courses
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Medical and Mental Health Service
Ages: 18+
Cost: Income Based
Contact:
Wanda Taylor
(901) 353-0927
ladiescan@yahoo.com
Address: 2155 Hillside Ave, 38127
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To improve life skills (including parenting skills), to increase employability, to develop basic skills needed to enter occupational training and job placement through General Educational Development (GED).
Services: Providing Emergency Shelter due to homelessness in support with referral based behavioral health treatment, educational and life skills services, and recovery-oriented services.
Ages: 18+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Charles Kinnard
(901) 245-4746
lastdoorinc@gmail.com
Address: 1907 E. Person, 38114
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The Institute is Lifeline’s primary program, receiving most of its resources. The core of the Institute curriculum is three to four hours of daily classroom instruction and interactive discussion on a variety of topics including anger management and conflict resolution. Beyond the classroom, the Institute provides Team Members with a comprehensive list of opportunities to engage
Services: Pathways to Employment Blight Patrol, LifeLine Services, After School Drop-In Faith-based Counsel & Fellowship Playback Memphis, Community Engagement, Outside Referrals
Ages: 18+
Cost: Life Skills Manual ($10/EA) Job Readiness Manual ($15/EA)
Contact:
Vinessa Brown
(901) 729-6537
vbrown@lifeline2success.org
Address:
1647 Dellwood Avenue, 38127
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Literacy Lighthouse is a family-oriented, Christian based, 501c3 non-profit organization structured to assist families that struggle with literacy. Today, we tutor students in grades PreK-12 to help students make the necessary grades for promotion to the next level. Our goals are to serve each family member with needed educational venues to increase awareness and the importance of a good education in todays’ economy.
In the near future we want to offer (HiSet) High School Equivalence studies to take the required tests, adult continuing education courses for educational growth, job training programs and parenting classes.
Services:
• Reading and writing
• To help my child learn
• To study for high school equivalency
• Math
• How to use Computers/Technology
• Volunteer at a Program
• Information about the GED Test
Cost: Free
Ages: 18+
Contact:
Joyce Counce
(901) 834-7045
literacylighthouses@gmail.com
Address:
1560 N Hollywood St, 38108
Women Empowered to Succeed (WES) program is designed to equip low-income women with marketable job and basic skills, which supports their overall ability to attain meaningful employment. These women complete classes in Basic Life, Work Life, and are given the opportunity to matriculate into a social enterprise opportunity or employment. WES offers women the opportunity to learn basic computer skills, literacy, internet researching, 1-3 year goal setting, job readiness and career planning evaluations, job interview techniques, resume and cover letter preparation, mock interviews, dressing for the job, and PowerPoint presentations.
Services:
• Reading and writing
• To study for high school equivalency
• How to use
• Computers/Technology
Ages: 18+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Emmanuel Spence
(901) 292-1751
emmanuel@ncclife.org
Address:
785 North Jackson, 38107
Phone:
(901) 881-6013
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Our mission is to empower refugees and immigrants in Memphis, TN by offering high-quality, tailored programing that encourages, educates, and equips individuals, families, and the community. We walk alongside newcomers as they integrate into American culture and work to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Services (All Ages):
• Reading and writing
• To help my child learn
• To study for high school equivalency
• English language
• Volunteer at a Program
• Citizenship Classes
Cost: Free
Contact:
Camela Echols Blackmon
(901) 500-3844
staff@repmemphis.org
Address:
258 North Merton Street, 38112
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Based in Memphis, TN, The Arc Mid-South is a 501c3 non-profit United Way agency dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve their full potential. We are committed to providing advocacy and services which enable individuals with disabilities to realize their uniqueness, worth, and full inclusion in society. We offer a wide variety of programs and services for individuals with disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and other developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Services:
• Vocational Evaluation
• Life, Education, Training, Skills (L.E.T.S.) Program
• Job Training
• GED test preparation
• Adult literac
Cost: Free
Ages: 18+
Contact:
Carlene I. Leaper
Executive Director
cileaper@thearcmidsouth.org
Address:
3485 Poplar Avenue
Suite 210, 38111
Phone: (901) 327-2473
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Adult literacy program includes basic education courses with remedial reading and math skills, and GED preparation for advanced students.
Services:
• Adult Literacy Programs
• GED/High School Equivalency Test Instruction
Ages: 18+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Linda Segrest, Executive Director
(901) 729-7193
trinityoutreach.linda@gmail.com
Address:
4466 Elvis Presley Blvd. Suite 260, 38116
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Universal Achievers Foundation Memphis 901 is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students and young adults achieve success through work- based learning, financial literacy, and resume building.
Services:
• Reading and writing
• To study for high school equivalency
• Volunteer at a Program
Ages: 15+
Cost: Free
Contact:
Tangua Houston
(901) 337-0008
tchmemphis@yahoo.com
Address:
2870 Glasgow Street, 38127
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The mission of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.
Services (All Ages):
• Case management and Wrap around services
• Employment and Career training
• Early childhood education
• Youth development
• Financial literacy
Cost: Free
Contact:
Patricia Thompson
(901) 578-9346
patriciathompson@wfgm.org
Address:
40 South Main, Suite 2380, 38103
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Child-Development Service Providers

Need resources for your young learner(s) as well? Search below to find educational, mental, and physical wellness services for babies and young children.

Concerns, such as, physical health issues and changes in her body, postpartum depression, doubt and anxiety, newborn care and safety, financial responsibilities, and balancing home and social life are common for all mothers. With professional, objective, and caring help, a mother can become knowledgeable of herself and her baby’s needs. With help she can learn the best ways to cope with the realities of motherhood.
Services:
Maternal Mental Health Services and Support.
Ages: Prenatal & Post-Partum
Contact:
Tenikki Sesley, Executive Director appleseedsmemphis@gmail.com (901) 596-2792
Address:
2924 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38111
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Clinical services to address the communication and behavior needs of children with high functioning autism.
Services: Early Intervention Services
Ages: 3-5 years
Contact: (901) 678-2000
Address: 3720 Alumni Ave, Memphis, TN 38152
Provides diapers in all sizes, period products for women and girls, and adult incontinence products. The Diaper Bank distributes these products through our network of Partner Agencies, and diapers-only agencies.
Services: Diapers
Ages: Birth – 5 Years
Cost: Free
Contact:
Shari Douglas
info@midsouthfoodbank.org
(901) 527-0841
Address:
3865 South Perkins, 38118
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This program promotes kindergarten readiness and strengthens family bonds in Shelby County by providing age-appropriate books for all children from birth to age five.
Services: Books and Support Materials
Ages: Birth – 5 years
Cost: Free
Contact: (901) 577-2500
Address:
3400 Prescott Road
Memphis, TN 38118
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Cornerstone is an early childhood home visitation program that provides pregnant mothers as well as families of children from birth to age 5 with all of the proper tools necessary for positive child development.
Services:
• Home visitation utilizing the PAT curriculum
• One-on-one time in Head Start or Early Head Start centers to help children increase their social, emotional and literacy skills
• EarnBenefits uses an online system to check benefit eligibility, such as food stamps, prepare and submit applications on the client’s behalf
• Welcome Baby! Delivers boxes to new mothers in maternity wards of area hospitals filled with infant health and development information
Contact: (901) 577-2500
Address:
868 North Manassas St.
Memphis, TN 38107
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A language-rich environment that engages children and caregivers in fun and meaningful learning activities. The spaces are designed for caregivers to help children build early literacy skills and enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
Services: Books and Professional Guidance
Ages: Birth-5 years
Cost: Free
Contact: www.memphislibraries.org
901.415.2700 memphislibraryfoundation@memphislibraryfoundation.org.
Locations: • Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (1st floor)
• Cornelia Crenshaw
• Frayser
• Levi
• Parkway Village
• Cherokee
• North
• Gaston Park
• Hollywood
• Randolph
• South
• Whitehaven
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ParentPlus empowers families to feel safe, sure, and secure. We offer free, voluntary programs to fit your family’s needs. Our home visitors offer compassionate, convenient help from the comfort of your home.
Services: Home Visiting Referrals
Ages: Birth-5 years
Cost: Free
Contact:
Kellie Mitchell, Director
(901) 577-2500 parentplus901@gmail.com
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For children with developmental & behavioral challenges and who have diagnoses such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, speech, language & processing disorders, physical & gross motor disorders, prematurity, behavioral disorders, and many other developmental disabilities. A private nonprofit agency that provides education, therapy and support.
Services: Early Intervention Services
Ages: 18 months - 6 years
Cost: Application Fee – $75 ; Monthly Tuition: $1,100
Contact: (901) 584-8281
Address:
3771 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
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Trained Community Health Educators visit moms regularly to insure they receive proper prenatal care, know child development and age-appropriate behaviors and attend well-child checkups.Trained Nurse home visitors administer vital sign assessments, developmental screenings, encourage/assist with follow-up visits with your primary care provider, and serve as liaison to hospital and outpatients clinicians.
Services: Evidence-Based Home Visiting
Ages: Prenatal - 5 years
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information, please call Michelle Rumph at 901-287-4759 or visit www.kidcentraltn.com.
Address:
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
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LENA Grow is a professional development program for early childhood educators in family day homes or child care programs that uses regular feedback from LENA technology to improve the talk environment in the classroom. Educators meet with a coach one-on-one or in group sessions, weekly or every other week, with the flexibility to fit their schedules. The coaching sessions provide time to review the data on the interactive talk environment in each classroom and use the data to set goals to talk more.
Services: Child Care Professional Curriculum
Ages: 6 months - 4 years
Contact:
Ashley Foster, Coordinator
mfoster3@memphis.edu
Address:
3720 Alumni Ave
Memphis, TN 38152
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LENA Home is ideal for coaching and home visitation programs that would like to supplement their curriculum with objective feedback from LENA technology. Home visitors using LENA technology to measure language gain objective insights on home talk that can be used to inform and motivate parents and track progress toward increasing quality interactions. Productivity is increased through clear reports that provide insights on how much adults spoke to their child, back and forth exchanges between parents and child, and TV and electronic sound throughout the day. The feedback is designed to show progress over time. You can also receive scheduling and text reminders that simplify logistics and ease the burden on home visitors, implementation support, one year of technical assistance, and two validated measures of child language behavior. LENA Home is best suited for families with a young child that has an IFSP or suspected disability.
Services: Parenting Curriculum
Ages: 6 months - 4 years
Contact:
Alexzander Price, Coordinator asprice1@memphis.edu
Address:
3720 Alumni Ave
Memphis, TN 38152
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A program for parents that uses regular feedback from LENA’s “talk pedometer” technology to help increase interactive talk in order to close the early talk gap, improve school readiness, and build stronger families. Over the course of 10 weekly sessions, parents and caregivers learn about the importance of interactive talk along with ways to incorporate more conversation into their daily routines. The program combines the use of LENA technology to measure the home language environment with parent group meetings that teach simple techniques to improve the quantity and quality of adult-child talk.
Services: Parenting Curriculum
Ages: 6 months - 4 years
Contact: Pha’Meshia Calico, Coordinator
Address:
3720 Alumni Ave
Memphis, TN 38152
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The preschool provides daily listening and language building opportunities in a classroom setting. Individual daily therapy with audiological monitoring equips our students ages 2 through 6 with the skills needed to mainstream into kindergarten with their hearing peers.
Services: Early Intervention Services — Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Ages: Birth-5 years
Contact: (901) 758-2228
Address:
7901 Poplar Avenue
Germantown, TN 38138
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A full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services across a broad scope of communication disorders and differences are available.
Services (All Ages): Early Intervention, Assessment, Treatment
Contact: (901) 678-2009
Address:
3720 Alumni Ave
Memphis, TN 38152
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Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based home visitation program for first-time pregnant mothers. Specially trained nurses visit mothers in their homes throughout their first pregnancy and the first two years of their child’s life.
Services:
• Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in preventive health practices (including obtaining thorough prenatal care, improving diet and reducing use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal substances)
• Improve child health and development
• Improve families’ economic self-sufficiency by helping parents develop a vision for their future
Ages: Prenatal – 2 years
Contact: Angela Rainey Angela.Rainey@lebonheur.org
Address:
50 Peabody Pl, 4th Floor
Memphis, TN 38103
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Our Nurturing Parenting program supports parents in forming healthy, nurturing relationships and positive engagements and interactions with their children at any age in their child’s development. We provide classes for adult parents, as well as for adolescent parents.
The primary goal of the Family Center parenting support and education services is the prevention of child abuse/neglect and interpersonal violence by providing such support and education which enhances the parent/caregiver’s ability to:
• Promote children’s development
• Improve child/parent attachment
• Improve child/parent communication skills
• Enhance self-esteem of participants
• Improve child/parent social control
• To reduce aggressive behaviors by children and their caregivers.
Eligibility Requirements
Parents who believe they could benefit from parenting education to foster healthy commitment to the nurturing parenting lifestyle. They could be parents of very young children, (age 0 – 8 years old) or older children (up to age 18).
Address:
Kindred Place-Nurturing Parenting Programs
2180 Union Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30 and other times by appointment.
Contact: 901-276-2200
Email: info@kindred-place.org
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Educating patients about the importance of not only reading to their babies and young children, but talking and singing to them as well. The includes pamphlets, videos and posters in patient rooms to share with parents how to effectively communicate with their babies, suggestions like, “Talk about what you’re doing,” “Comment on what they’re interested in,” and “Use pictures and gestures.”
Contact: Owen Phillips, MD
Phone: (901) 515-3400
Address:
6215 Humphreys Blvd. Suite 201
Memphis, TN 38120
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One by One Mentors provide quality personalized ministry for each family that educates, empowers and transforms the lives of parents. Mentors help families, especially the moms, with parenting tips and life skills; share the gospel; and connect families to church and community support networks.
Contact: Carol Brownlow
Email: admin@onebyoneusa.org
Phone: (901) 857-1153
Address:
1355 Lynnfield Road, Suite 240
Memphis, TN, 38119
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Parents as Teachers is an evidence-based curriculum that has two components focused on early childhood and follows a home visitation model. The first component focuses on having a healthy birth weight infant (≥5.5 pounds), which is the main factor in preventing infant mortality. The second component trains parents to be their child’s first teacher, stimulating the young mind and helping it to develop.
Contact: Gwen Price
Phone: (901) 577-2500 ext. 1159
Email: gprice@porterleath.org
Address:
868 N. Manassas St.
Memphis, TN – 38107
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Child-friendly reading and play spaces (with free books) in laundromats.
Social Suds Resource Center 1048 South Bellevue Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38106
Contact: turnage@smaweb.org
Phone: (901) 774-9582
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Suds Laundry 664 Waring Rd
Memphis, TN 38122
Contact: SudsLaundryMemphis@gmail.com
Phone: (901) 468-4108
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During routine check-ups, pediatricians provide families with the knowledge and tools they need to make reading a part of their daily routine. Free books provided.
Contact: Wynett Jones/Jason Yaun, MD
Address:
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-287-KIDS
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SRVS Kids provides family-centered programs and services that address the unique abilities and challenges of young children from birth to 14 years of age.
SRVS Kids includes four main components:
• Early On – Community Based Developmental Therapy
• Early Intervention
• Play, Do, Learn Inclusive Preschool
• Pediatric Therapies (Speech-Language, Occupational, Physical, Feeding and Behavior)
Address:
3971 Knight Arnold Rd.
Memphis TN 38118
Contact: (901) 869-7787
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Provides information about public and private service providers, early intervention professionals, family support organizations, and other groups that provide services to infants and toddlers with disabilities.
Services: Early Intervention Services
Ages: Birth-3 years
Contact: (901) 937-6738
Address:
2175 Business Center Drive, Suite 11, 38134
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Universal Parenting Places offer help for parents who have concerns about their children’s emotional and behavioral health.
Services: Parent Counseling and Support Services
Ages: Birth- adolescence
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
6225 Humphreys Blvd., 5th Floor
Memphis, Tennessee 38120
(901) 227-9558
Knowledge Quest
990 College Park Drive, Suite 104
Memphis, Tennessee 38126
(901) 207-3694
Perea Preschool in Klondike Elementary
1250 Vollintine Ave, 2nd Floor
Memphis, Tennessee 38107
Christ Community Health Services – Raleigh
3481 Austin Peay Highway
Memphis, Tennessee
A pilot program for all babies born at Methodist South Hospital; designed to encourage early literacy activities. An initiative of Read901, Memphis’ community-wide literacy network.
Services: Books and Support Materials
Ages: Newborn
Cost: Free
Contact:
Katherine Bryan
(901) 359-6701 kbryan@tuci.org
Address:
66 S Cooper St
Memphis, TN, 38104
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Y on the Fly is a mobile unit that serves the community (literacy, healthy eating and physical activity; water safety, STEM.
Services (All Ages): Mobile Program
Cost: Free
Contact:
Ashley Feyler, Sr Program Director 901-766-7677, ext 153
Address:
373 N Quailhollow Rd., 38120
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Here, you’ll find hundreds of bilingual multi-media tools to help kids and families enrich and expand their knowledge during the early years of birth through six, a critical window for brain development. Our resources engage kids and adults in everyday moments and daily routines—from teaching early math and literacy concepts, to encouraging families to eat nutritious foods, to serious topics such as divorce and food insecurity.
Services: Online Resource
Ages: 0-5 years / Adult Professional Development
Cost: Free
Contact: Text SESAME to (833)-541-0461 for more! communities@sesame.org
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