Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Corner
by Demetria DeClouet

Meghan Kiihnl has been a volunteer tutor since 2005.  An art history graduate of Rhodes College, she currently attends the University of Memphis where she is working towards her Master of Arts in Teaching degree.  Meghan would like to teach fourth or fifth grade, loves art, and loves to read.  A faithful volunteer who reports for duty rain or shine, she has recruited three of her friends to join her in her work at the shelter.

Sometimes we have tutors and other volunteers to come in and out of the resident children’s lives, but Meghan has been here to provide constant structure to our children.  She has patience, kindness, and the ability to make each child feel special. 
Tamarcus Prewitt with resident children.

In addition to Meghan, there are others who have made commitments to tutoring here at the shelter, and we appreciate them greatly.  For this year, our active tutors include:  Katie Henderson, Latrecia Adams, Julia Shaffer, Joel Iwaskiewicz, Kim and Andrew Clark, Felicia Gladeu, Robert Chatham, Tamarcus Prewitt, Jason Dickson, Joshua Perkins, Julia Shaffer, and Diane and James Challen. 

Robert Chatham, Julia Shaffer, and Meghan Kiihnl

These volunteers have taken time out of their busy schedules to assist the resident children with homework, social skills, and provide one-on-one attention.  We appreciate these volunteers for choosing Memphis Family Shelter as their way of giving back to the community. 

If you or your family would like to volunteer on Monday or Tuesday evenings, please call 278-2728 for more information.

Financial Contributions

Memphis Family Shelter relies in large measure on the generosity of people like you. We welcome all contributions - large and small alike.

The backbone of our program is the annual giving program. Hundreds of concerned individuals, companies, foundations, and employee campaigns give on a recurring basis to fund our day to day operations and supportive services. Another source of support is our annual fundraiser - the Annual Golf Scramble and Sponsor Party. Combined, these efforts raise just over a third of the money needed to run the shelter each year.

About half of our money comes from government grants, mainly the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of Memphis, and private and community foundations.

The remaining 20 per cent of our budget comes from in-kind contributions and services. We receive hundreds of in-kind gifts ranging from laundry detergent to books.

If you would like to contribute financially to our program, please click here for our online Gift form. Print the form, and send it along with your check payable to "Memphis Family Shelter" to

Memphis Family Shelter
P.O. Box 22891
Memphis, TN 38122

If you are in a position to provide in-kind gifts, please contact us, and we'll gladly discuss your ideas with you.