How did HopeWorks start?

For more than 30 years, HopeWorks has supported Memphians needing second chances by providing essential education, counseling and career development programming. These programs cultivate personal relationships and lay a foundation for sharing the Gospel. But you may be wondering – how did HopeWorks come to be an organization?

It all started in 1988. HopeWorks’ first director Wayne Reed recently opened Memphis Area Cooperative Services, a distribution ministry providing health and hygiene items to those in need. Around this time, several local Churches of Christ were called to help people experiencing homelessness in Shelby Country by providing temporary housing. These efforts combined in 1990 to establish the Life Skills Lab based on the Hope Program in New York City. In 1998, MACS was renamed HopeWorks and the Life Skills Lab was renamed Personal and Career Development. This is also the year HopeWorks received its 501(c)(3) designation.

From here, HopeWorks continued to grow and add new programs to support its students best.

No matter what, our goal remains the same – to introduce people to Christ by offering life-changing assistance and guidance to those who need it most. Thanks to your support, we’ve influenced thousands of lives across the Mid-South.

To learn more about HopeWorks and our offerings, call 901-272-3700.