Overview

Memphis Works for Everyone (MemWorks), a partnership between MDRC and Slingshot Memphis, aims to strengthen pathways to living-wage work for Memphis workers. Poverty is a significant problem in Memphis, where one in three people live near or below the poverty line. The research team aims to determine what programs, policies, and interventions may be needed in the workforce development ecosystem to help more workers gain access to living-wage jobs and improve their economic mobility.

The MemWorks approach combines findings from population-level data analysis with insights from interviews and focus groups to craft a holistic understanding of poverty and economic opportunity in Memphis. The research team will use these findings to create evidence-based strategies and collaborate with community partners to implement and launch action plans.