News

Category: Generations

AmeriCorps Member at Porter-Leath Reflects on Impact

Children need strong, consistent relationships with caring adults that help build confidence and life skills. They need Generations, the home for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers at Porter-Leath. Generations helps to fill the gap, bringing children in need together with adults in a mutually-beneficial service experience. AmeriCorps is not just a volunteer program, it is a program full of opportunities. This fact was especially true for Jasmine Joyner. As an AmeriCorps membe... Read More

Porter-Leath Foster Grandparent Makes Impact through Time Spent Volunteering

“Listen to your teacher, and listen to  your parents. I love you all, and I’ll see you tomorrow!” This is how Maxine Nolan leaves her classroom of 22 children at John P. Freeman Optional School after every day. She is an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer and spends her weekdays connecting with children and mentoring them to help build confidence and life skills.  Five years ago after retiring from a local hospital, Mrs. Nolan became an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer thro... Read More
at Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Educating the Next Generation: AmeriCorps Member Gains Experience to use in Future Career

Makia Hampton aspires to be a therapist in a local school, so after finishing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Memphis, she looked for ways to gain experience working with children in an educational setting. “My ultimate goal is to some way, somehow prevent people from becoming statistics” she remarked and added that “getting assistance when you are young … can help people avoid risky behavior later in life.”  As a native Memphian, Mak... Read More

Giving Thanks for Volunteers: Lessons from the Foster Grandparent of the Year

“I want children to grow up and know that they are somebody ... that they are important.” This sentiment is just one of the many reasons why Regina Walker volunteered as a Foster Grandparent. Ms. Walker routinely volunteered her time as a Foster Grandparent for many years.  Granny Walker, her newest moniker, was encouraged by a fellow church member to give back and join Porter-Leath's cadre of Foster Grandparents. She was even named Foster Grandparent ... Read More

RSVP: A Volunteer Program for Senior Adults

The Generations Program houses two volunteer experiences - Foster Grandparents and RSVP - which engage seniors 55 years of age or older. Unlike foster grandparents who serve in Porter-Leath Preschool clasrooms, RSVP partners with community service organizations in DeSoto County to place senior volunteers at a variety of assignment options. Volunteer positions are flexible and are designed to keep seniors active and create opportunities for them to use their knowledge and experience to benefit... Read More

Senior Adult Festival for Volunteers in DeSoto County

SOUTHAVEN, Mississippi – The first ever “Variety is the Spice of Life” Senior Adult Festival will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. at Brown Missionary Baptist Church.  Hosted by Porter-Leath’s RSVP, the Festival is a community fair for senior adults in DeSoto County looking to energize their daily routines with volunteer service.   “Senior volunteers offer our community invaluable skills, experience and insights,”... Read More
Posted by Mary Braddock at Thursday, September 27, 2018

Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service Celebrates Memphis Volunteers

Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, joined Mayor Jim Strickland to celebrate Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service on April 6 at First Baptist Church. Mayor and County Recognition Day spotlights the key role national service volunteers play in meeting a wide range of community challenges. The event will also include a volunteer showcase for local elected officials illustrating the local impact of national service programs. Porter-Leath is... Read More