On Episode 25 of Just Bluffin’, we talked with Lori Jones of DeNeuville Learning Center for Women (DLC), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women to improve their lives through education and community. Lori has served as the Executive Director of DLC since 2013. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Lori relocated to Memphis over a decade ago and enjoys being engaged in the community.
On Just Bluffin’, Campfire Collective talked with Lori about the work of DLC and the importance of education and child care for women in Memphis.
“DLC is a wonderful place where women can come and learn English as a second language, earn their high school equivalency diploma, and take computer classes or citizenship test preparation classes,” Lori said. “But probably the most important thing that we do is provide on-site childcare for the women who are attending classes. Childcare is the most common barrier for adult women.“
“Seventy percent of families living in poverty are headed by single mothers,” she added. “So if we really want to change the trajectory for children at risk, who are living in poverty, we have to provide opportunities for their mothers.”
Lori said that one of her favorite days of the year is DLC’s graduation ceremony.
“These women have worked really hard. They have had lots of obstacles and challenges in their lives, and we want to celebrate the fact that they’ve come to class every day and worked really hard to achieve this milestone.”
DLC students receive caps and gowns for the ceremony. Their families are invited to celebrate with them.
“It always brings tears to my eyes to see how the children are so proud of their moms,” Lori continued. “One of the first years that I was at DLC, we had our first graduation ceremony, and one of the students told me that she never imagined that she would have the opportunity to have a graduation ceremony and wear a cap and gown. I had a moment of realization, of all the times I’ve taken those things for granted. But there are so many people out there who don't have the same opportunities and privileges that I have had.”
“I could not be more thankful that our organization does so much, considering how small we are. We serve around 300 women each year and around 75 children in child care each year,” she said.
When asked about her favorite Memphis memory, Lori thought of her first Grizzlies game in 2014.
“I’d never been to an NBA game before, and I went with some DLC board members. It was such a fun introduction to the Memphis culture, and a great way to spend some quality time with people who do a lot of hard work for DLC. Memphis is my adopted hometown so it's really fun to go root for our team here. It's become one of my favorite things to do.”
To listen to our full conversation with Lori Jones, click here. And don’t miss any of our future conversations with Memphis leaders! Subscribe to Just Bluffin’ wherever you get your podcasts, and learn more about the team behind the mic at buildacampfire.com.
This blog was written by the Campfire Collective
About the Author
Campfire Collective is a Memphis-based marketing and communications agency that seeks to ignite creativity for community-focused organizations. Learn more at buildacampfire.com.
