Tennessee

Seedco Programs in Tennessee

Since 2004, Seedco’s Mid-South Regional Office in Memphis, Tennessee has served thousands of residents throughout the state of Tennessee. Our focus is to enhance opportunity for low-income Tennesseans by addressing their challenges and forging connections with skill development and employment. We have a strong network of local relationships to enhance access to additional resources and support.

Turning Point Memphis | Re-entering into Society to Excel

Bridges to Careers: Supporting Justice-Involved Young Adults

Connecting West Tennessee Kids to Coverage

Turning Point Memphis

Because young adults with a criminal justice history have higher rates of recidivism than older adults, they need a strong support system to re-integrate into their home communities. Seedco initiated its Turning Point Memphis program in 2017 to help young adults coming out of the justice system to get job training and placement in a high-demand sector. In addition, the program provides comprehensive case management, with access to specialized services from partner providers to address health, legal, housing, and other needs. We place a high priority on personal stability, so young adults can focus on employment goals. Participants can also take part in a Young Adults Advisory Council and provide leadership to their peers.

The US Department of Labor funds this program.

Re-entering into Society to Excel

Building upon the partnerships and systems established across its other local programs serving those with a criminal history background, Seedco established its RISE program in 2018 to improve employment outcomes for adults who have been incarcerated or recently released in the Memphis metropolitan region, including West Memphis, Arkansas.

Seedco’s program integrates case management, job readiness, occupational training, connections to apprenticeship, placement in employment, financial coaching, parenting skills, mentoring, legal services, enrollment in public benefits, and follow-up care. Our strengths are strong community relationships that expand the resources available to participants, including literacy and education, legal services, and health care. Partnerships provide opportunities in distribution and logistics, food, and construction sectors, all experiencing strong job growth locally.

The US Department of Labor funds this program.

Bridges to Careers: Supporting Justice-Involved Young Adults

Starting in 2018, Seedco is scaling its impact in positively affecting employment among young adults that have involvement in the juvenile or adult criminal justice system. The program implements a national model, while integrating localized approaches in New York, Maryland, Tennessee, and Arkansas. The comprehensive program focuses on in-demand industries and combines:

case management and assessment
occupational training and credential attainment
placement in employment
supportive services, such as financial coaching, parenting skills workshops, mentoring, enrollment in public benefits, and follow-up care

Connecting West TN Kids to Coverage

Starting in 2019, Seedco’s Connecting West Tennessee Kids to Coverage provides outreach, education, and enrollment activities to connect families in need to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program targets Shelby and Tipton Counties. Seedco is working with local health departments, social service providers, community centers, schools, and health providers to inform families about the availability of free or low-cost health coverage, identifying eligible children, and assisting families with applying and renewing. This program is generously funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

People We Serve

Learn about the community members that are at the core of Seedco’s work.

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Get Involved

For more than thirty years, Seedco has advanced economic opportunity in communities across the country. Our success is due to the generous support and collaboration of many partners. We welcome your partnership to help workers get established on a career path, improve access to workforce resources in underserved communities, connect employers with high-potential workers, and improve health, economic, and social wellbeing. There are many ways to support Seedco’s programs and partnerships. We encourage you to explore Seedco’s work and communities, share information with others, and connect directly with us.