A new chapter of care, connection, and community is being written in Downtown Memphis—just a stone’s throw from Beale Street.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Mid-South Chapter has officially broken ground on a transformative new space for veterans living with spinal cord injuries and diseases. Located near Danny Thomas Boulevard, the future Mid-South PVA Community Center is more than just a building—it’s a commitment to the people who have served our country and now need space to heal, thrive, and connect.
🧭 Why This Matters to Memphis
Until now, the Mid-South PVA has been partially housed inside the VA Medical Center on Jefferson Ave. But for years, Executive Director Sharon Mount and the PVA team have dreamed of a facility built just for them. Now, that dream is finally becoming a reality with a $1.6 million renovation of a historic space that will soon be alive with community, purpose, and support.
“This was a dream we’ve had for years,” said Mount. “To create a space for our members—to be able to fellowship and find strength in each other’s stories.”
🏗️ What’s Coming to the PVA Mid-South Community Center
Phase 1 (Estimated Completion: December 2025):
Pressure washing and painting the building exterior
New signage, entrances, and storefronts
Updated masonry, landscaping, and waterproofing
Accessible pathways and infrastructure upgrades
Demolition and reconstruction to make the facility wheelchair-friendly
Phase 2 (Slated for Completion in 2026):
Basketball and pickleball courts
Gazebo, pavilion, and gathering spaces
Indoor amenities like pool tables, card tables, event areas, and more
Office space for veteran support services
💪 Built by Vets, for Vets
The soul of this project is carried by the stories of veterans like Terrence Green, Ricki Moore, and countless others who’ve turned personal adversity into a passion for helping others.
Terrence Green, now an associate pastor at Brown Missionary Baptist Church, was paralyzed during his time in Saudi Arabia in 1990. He’s a board member for the PVA and uses his journey to empower other veterans adjusting to life in a wheelchair.
“We’re building more than a building—we’re building community,” Green shared. “A place to hang out, share our stories, and support one another.”
Veteran Ricki Moore echoed the same sentiment:
“It’s not over because I’m paralyzed. I can still do things—just in a different way and a different time.”
⚠️ Rising Needs, Rising to the Challenge
While the PVA Mid-South chapter operates entirely on donations, their members rely heavily on federally funded VA services, many of which are facing potential funding cuts.
“We promised to take care of our veterans when they made that promise to serve and protect,” said Mount. “Now, we must uphold that promise.”
This new center represents stability amid uncertainty, especially for veterans who depend on VA facilities like Memphis’s spinal cord unit. With only a few such centers across the U.S., any cuts would be devastating.
🧡 How You Can Support
This is your chance to back an organization that’s quietly changing lives in our city every day. But they need our support to get across the finish line.
👉 Donate to the PVA Mid-South Chapter: Click here to give
📣 Share their story with your network
🤝 Connect a veteran to PVA services
📬 Write your Congressional reps in support of VA funding
📣 Memphis, Let’s Show Up
At Choose901, we believe in building a Memphis that takes care of its own. The new PVA Community Center is a testament to the strength of our veteran community and a reminder of how much more we can do together.
Let’s show these heroes the city has their back, just like they had ours.
