Why Our Work Matters

  • The Need is Real


    Across our communities, individuals and families face barriers that go far beyond temporary hardship. Housing instability, food insecurity, unemployment, and limited access to supportive services continue to impact lives every day — especially among seniors, youth, and those reentering society.

  • The Gaps Are Widening


    Many people fall through the cracks due to systemic barriers, lack of resources, or absence of support networks. Without intervention, these gaps often lead to cycles of homelessness, unemployment, recidivism, and long-term instability.

  • The Call to Action


    These challenges are not just statistics — they represent real people with real stories. Lively Hearts Organization exists to respond with compassion, structure, and solutions that restore dignity, promote stability, and strengthen our community.

Local Statistics: Why This Work Matters

Across Memphis and communities like it, thousands of individuals and families face daily challenges related to housing insecurity, reentry barriers, food access, and lack of supportive services. These statistics highlight the urgency behind the work Lively Hearts is committed to addressing.

Housing & Homelessness


  • In 2023, approximately 1,001 children and 629 young adults (ages 18–24) experienced homelessness.

    Source: Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)

  • An estimated 317 unaccompanied youth (ages 18–24) experience homelessness on any given night in Tennessee.

    Source: THDA

  • Individuals returning from incarceration are nearly 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.

    Source: Prison Policy Initiative

Reentry & Incarceration


  • 2 out of 3 people released from prison are rearrested within three years.

    Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

  • Formerly incarcerated individuals are nearly 10x more likely to be homeless, with women facing even greater vulnerability due to limited housing, employment, and support networks.

    Source: Prison Policy Initiative

  • People with a criminal record are 50% less likely to receive a callback for a job interview.

    Source: National Institute of Justice

Employment & Stability


  • Housing, food access, and job opportunities are consistently reported as the top three needs for individuals reentering society.

    Source: Prison Policy Initiative

  • Nearly half of formerly incarcerated individuals lack stable housing upon release, increasing the risk of recidivism.

    Source: Prison Policy Initiative

Why These Numbers Matter

These statistics represent real people, real families, and real barriers to stability. Without access to safe housing, food, employment opportunities, and supportive services, individuals are far more likely to remain trapped in cycles of instability.

Lively Hearts Organization exists to step into these gaps — offering compassion, structure, and real solutions rooted in dignity, restoration, and community care.

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