Vance Avenue Youth Development Center

08/01/2026

The youth are having a ball at our Back to School Event today. Parents are picking up backpacks and supplies and the youth are playing, eating snow cones and hotdogs and having fun! Parents and Guardians you still have time to drop by the center and get backpacks and school supplies for your youth.

07/30/2026

07/30/2026

We are so grateful for Jaren Jackson Jr. mom, Ms. Terri Carmichael Jackson, the executive director of the Women's National Basketball Players Association for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend our playground dedication today, since Jaren was not able to attend.
Ms. Jackson shared how her son started his organization "Much Required" which is rooted on the scripture, Luke 12:48, that reads "To whom much is given, much will be required". She also shared how her son was taught that scripture at a young age and faithfully lives by it.

Ms. Jackson thanks for celebrating our executive director with words of thanks for what she is doing in the lives of youth and families. Ms. Jackson also reminded everyone in attendance that the ribbon cutting event is a milestone and not a finish line and charged the crowd to be there for the center's next... and we welcome her charge with open arms.

07/30/2026

Our youth are sooooo excited about our new playground. The smiles on their faces today after the ribbon cutting were priceless!

07/30/2026

Representative Torrey Harris thank you for taking time from your campaign trail to present our executive director with a proclamation from the State of Tennessee for her continual work in the lives of youth and families. Your presence at our playground dedication speaks to how you care about and support your constituents. We wish you well!!!

07/30/2026

Our new playground was made possible through the support of, former Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr. (Much Required, LLC), The Kresge Foundation, Lehman-Roberts, Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation and Women's Foundation For A Greater Memphis.

07/30/2026

Thank you to all the government officials both city and state, our community leaders, community supporters, our board members, parents and youth for taking time to come out to our playground dedication today.

07/30/2026

Parents and Guardians, just a reminder to join us at Vance Avenue Youth Development Center on Saturday August 1, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for our "Back To School Event", this is a free family event with back packs and school supplies giveaways, along with food and fun. Thanks to our community event sponsors, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and Jasmine Legacy of Hope.

07/29/2026

Our executive director Barbara Nesbit along with our community partner the Women's Foundation Greater Memphis interviewed with April Thompson with WREG Channel 3 news today about our new playground. We are so excited about the ribbon cutting of our new playground tomorrow!

News 3 at 3

07/29/2026

Just a friendly reminder to join us tomorrow, Thursday, July 30th from 10am -11am at Vance Avenue Youth Development Center for the ribbon cutting for our new playground. Hope to see you there!