Founded in France, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd arrived in Memphis in 1875 to continue their mission of assisting girls and women in difficult situations. The order founded a high school for girls which closed in 1997, but the legacy continued with the establishment of the DeNeuville Learning Center for Women (DLC). This independent, public charity continues to dedicate services to women and families in need under the leadership of Executive Director Lori Jones. Get to know our newest FACE of Memphis and more about DLC!
Meet Lori Jones, the Executive Director of DeNeuville Learning Center for Women, and our new FACE of Memphis! Image: Sarah Rushakoff
What attracted you to DLC?
Honestly, the women — the students we work with every day — and their children. Before starting the job with DLC, I experienced a little burnout. I was working hard to make a difference but wasn’t interacting with the people I was helping. The organizations I worked for were doing great things, but I didn’t have that direct connection.
When I first walked in the door of DLC, it hit me like a ton of bricks: this is where I belong. I got to see the faces of the women. Every day there, no matter what I’m working on, I can go to the childcare room or one of the classrooms. I’m reminded of why I’m doing what I do. It keeps the fire burning.
When the Sisters of the Good Shepherd arrived in Memphis in 1875, the order established a high school for girls named after one of their greatest benefactors, Count Augustin de Neuville. Although many changes have occurred in the intervening years, the legacy of helping women remains. Lori looks forward to celebrating 25 years as DeNeuville Learning Center for Women with Board Member and Gala Chair Dr. Kathy Tuberville and Angela Trillo, the 2023 Gala Honorary Chair. Image: Sarah Rushakoff
Tell us about your role at DLC.
I make sure the people who are doing the work are able to do it! The teachers, childcare providers, and volunteers are the ones who provide direct service and lead the effort. Our board members make strategic decisions and ensure we have financial stability. My job is to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs well. “Executive Director” is such a good title — I know everything that’s going on, but I’m not the one doing the actual physical work.
Lori likes to share this saying: If you educate a boy or man, you educate an individual. If you educate a girl or woman, you educate a community. “It is so true,” she adds. “I can give you many statistics, but our mission is really about trying to fight the poverty pandemic and provide opportunities for children.” Image: Sarah Rushakoff
What is the DLC’s biggest challenge?
Brand awareness. Our name is not indicative of our mission, and we are small and grass-roots. Our office is in a very prominent part of Midtown, yet I have people tell me all the time that they drive by and have no idea what we do. Once people find out about us, 90% of the time, they want to help, support, and contribute. It’s just that they are not aware of the fact that we are here.
Why do you think the mission of DLC is so important to Memphis?
Education is important for everyone, but it’s crucial for women and mothers because 70% of families in poverty are headed by single mothers. Poverty is a prevailing problem that breeds many other social issues like crime, drug use, over-saturation of the criminal justice system, and health disparities. For me, the foundation of the issue is the education of women and mothers. If we don’t provide opportunities for mothers, there will never be opportunities for their children.
“I think Memphis is an underrated city with a lot of things going for us,” Lori says. “We have the Grizzlies and amazing food full of local flavor. Probably my favorite thing about Memphis is the live music. I’m a big fan!” Image: Sarah Rushakoff
For every extra dollar a woman earns, 80 cents go to her children’s health, leading to a healthier, more robust community overall. A high school equivalency diploma equates to about $10,000 more a year in income, leading to many benefits for a family.
Children of educated women are 10 times less likely to be incarcerated. Regardless of education level, children of educated women have increased reading and writing scores because if a mother can read to her children and help them with schoolwork, she is more likely to do so. If she can communicate with her children’s school in the same language, she’s more likely to be involved, which equates to a higher success rate for her children. We are trying to change the trajectory for the children of the women that we serve.
Can you give us some examples of your success stories?
We have so, so many. I could go on for days, but I’ll share two that stand out to me currently. One is a staff member who started as a student with us. She learned English, got her high school equivalency diploma, started working for us in childcare, and became one of our teachers. Now she’s one of our program coordinators, working with our Spanish-speaking GED students — and has an almost 100% success rate of her students passing the test.
Another graduate from our center is working on her Master’s Degree at the University of Memphis and, coincidentally, is the graduate assistant of one of our board members.
Both are wonderful examples of how DLC can be the foundation of success.
DLC serves many students from Memphis and the U.S., but the center also serves women from all over the world. Education has a ripple effect, Lori tells us. “Some of the women go back to their home countries, and some stay here, but all have communities they are able to help locally.” Image: DeNeuville Learning Center for Women
DLC is celebrating 25 years this year. What do you hope the next 25 years bring?
For the last 25 years, we’ve served over 5,000 women from over 56 countries. I’d like to see us double that number in the next 25 years and serve over 10,000 women from as many countries as we can.
DLC is about to celebrate a 25th anniversary with a gala! What can guests expect?
The Gala on April 27 truly marks 25 years — we were founded in April 1998. We’re very excited to celebrate this milestone and the legacy of the staff, volunteers, students, board members, and donors. We have a lot of fun in store, with wonderful live and silent auction items, live entertainment, and guest speakers. To celebrate our mission, we’re incorporating our students in different ways. They designed and created beautiful centerpieces, for example. We want to showcase what an amazing organization DeNeuville is and its importance to the women and children we serve.
In April, DLC celebrates 25 years of empowering women to improve their lives through education and community. Lori is pictured here at the 2022 Gala with Board Member Dr. Kathy Tuberville, Board Chair Delaine Smith, and 2022 Gala guest speaker Katrina Merriweather, former University of Memphis Women’s Basketball Head Coach. Image: Rhonda Cosentino
What is your best piece of advice?
Everything happens the way it should. Sometimes your path may not seem clear in the moment, but life and work have a way of balancing out, usually in a better way than you anticipated. Be patient; it will come.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Coffee, my dog, and being active.
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