They came to serve memphis. memphis changed them.

Every spring, college students from across the country choose to spend their spring break in Memphis.

Not Cancun. Not the beach. Memphis.

They come to serve. And something happens to them while they're here.

Jeff Riddle, our Serve901 Director, has been collecting the responses from this spring's groups. And what strikes me most isn't what they're saying about Jeff or the program. It's what they're saying about this city. 

Coming Back to Memphis

Trey Brewer grew up here and is a Choose901 Alumni. He's a student at UT now, and he came back to Memphis on a Serve901 trip this spring. 

IF YOU READ ONE THING, READ THIS…

"This experience allowed me to view my hometown from a different perspective and has given me a new drive to become a man of value and character as I will continue to give back to my community.

I am inspired by Serve901's work, as I am also passionate about pouring into the city that built the man I am today. One day, I dream of sitting at the table alongside Serve901 as we help build a community that is thriving with abundance and love, as everyone deserves.

I plan to stay connected with you all as I have applied for the summer internship program to work alongside the Choose 901 Alumni!"

Trey came to Memphis for a week to serve. And now he's applying to stay and get even more involved with this city through Choose901 Alumni.

That is exactly what Serve901 is designed to do. It's not just a service trip program. It's an on-ramp. People come to Memphis, they get their hands dirty, they see what this city is made of and some of them decide they don't want to leave it behind. Serve901 is how Choose901 finds its next generation of Memphians.

A First-Timer Who's Already Planning Her Return

Katoya Jepson came from out of town. She'd never been here before. She worked alongside local organizations all week and visited the Civil Rights Museum. She left saying:

"Serve901 connected us to some really amazing organizations that are out there doing the work to help others. While we were only there for a week, knowing that the organizations we worked with do this year in and year out to help support and improve their communities is truly inspiring. I look forward to visiting Memphis again!"

She saw our needs up close. And instead of leaving discouraged, she's planning to come back.

Memphis Made It Memorable

Jolette Longoria was also a first-timer. She came as part of an Alternative Breaks group, and she wrote:

"We had such an awesome experience engaging with Serve901 and really appreciated how they took the time to bring all the universities back together to reflect on our time. Definitely made my first time in Memphis very memorable!"

34 Students. One Week. All In.

Gregory Marullo brought 34 students from Stony Brook University. He wrote Jeff to say:

"The Civil Rights Museum specifically stood out for me as a highlight and an experience that has greatly impacted me personally. Serve901 did amazing work in organizing all of that for such a large group, and additional schools for that matter!"

Thirty-four students. One week. Multiple organizations. All of them experiencing Memphis in a new way.

Memphis Is the Attraction

Here's what I want you to hear in all of this.

These students didn't leave feeling sorry for Memphis. They left feeling called to Memphis.

They saw the needs, and instead of being scared off, they leaned in. Marion applied for the Choose901 Alumni summer internship after his trip. Katoya is already talking about a return visit. Gregory is bringing his group back.

Our community's needs aren't a deterrent. They're a magnet for exactly the kind of people we want here.

If you know a college student, a professor, a campus minister, a corporate team lead, or anyone who might bring a group to Memphis, forward this email. Let them read what happened to Marion, Katoya, Jolette, and Gregory's 34 students from Stony Brook.

In recent weeks, lots of Non-Memphians have been speaking for our city. But we leave our best impression when we let Memphis speak for itself.

Because the best thing we can do for this city right now is make sure more people get the chance to fall in love with it.