Community Project Funding

Fiscal Year 2023:

Listed below are the Community Funding Projects that Congressman Cohen submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2023. The projects are listed in alphabetical order by intended recipient and do not indicate any order of priority.

Project Name: Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital
Request Amount: $1,250,000
Intended Recipient: Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital in collaboration with Room In The Inn-Memphis
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 409 Ayers Street, Memphis, TN 38105-3112
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to repurpose the former African-American hospital into a homeless shelter that will provide the first respite/recuperative care center in the Midsouth for homeless individuals who are medically fragile.
Document
Collins Chapel Disclosure Letter.pdf (209 KB)

Project Name: Memphis Home Repair Program
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Memphis
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2633 Inverary Cove, Memphis, TN 38119
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to provide grants for very low-income seniors. LISC Memphis worked in partnership with the City to identify affordable housing preservation needs, barriers that homeowners face in accessing capital, and the resulting need for significant home repair assistance.
Document
LISC FY23 Disclosure Letter.docx (42.9 KB)

Project Name: Regional One Health Care Access and Quality Care Improvements
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Regional One Health
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 877 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to replace OmniCells, a central management system, that ensure safe, efficient, secure access to medications and point of care supplies in all care areas. Funding will also be used to renovate women's services patient care areas.
Document
Regional One FY23 Disclosure Letter.pdf (678.01 KB)

Project Name: Reentry Services to Reduce Recidivism
Request Amount: $500,000
Intended Recipient: Lifeline to Success, Inc
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1647 Dellwood Avenue, Memphis Tennessee 38127
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding will be used to support the reentry program that provides supportive services for ex-offenders, which will help them become productive members of society and reduce recidivism.
Document
FY23 Lifeline to success disclosure letter.pdf (677.52 KB)

Project Name: Porter Jr. Hi. – MLK Transition Academy Redevelopment
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Urban Renaissance Partners
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1708 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding will be used to support the redevelopment of the MLK Transition Academy/Porter Jr. Hi into a mixed-use development that will provide critical services and resources, embrace the neighborhood's history, and provide economic, cultural, and educational opportunities for the residents and the greater Memphis community.
Document
MLK Transistion Porter Hi FY23 Disclosure Letter.docx (43.07 KB)

Project Name: Memphis Cobblestone Landing Recreational Center
Request Amount: $4,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Memphis
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 125 North Main St., Room 608, Memphis, TN 38103
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used for the development of the Memphis Cobblestone Landing Recreation Center, which will provide a recreational area for growth of restaurants, shopping venders, and stimulate the existing economic development of downtown Memphis, as well as the Mississippi riverfront areas.
Document
Cobblestone Disclosure Letter.pdf (229.01 KB)

Project Name: Overton Park/Memphis Zoo Parking Plan
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Overton Park Conservancy
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1914 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding will be used to support the construction of a new parking lot, zoo entrance and the restoration of park greenspace, which will lead to more efficient operations for both the park and the zoo. The project will help provide better service to visitors and strengthens the partnership of two of Memphis' most treasured assets.
Document
Overton park memphis zoo FY23 Disclosure Letter.pdf (211.59 KB)

Project Name: Promoting and Preserving Homeownership Program
Request Amount: $1,200,000
Intended Recipient: United Housing, Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2750 Colony Park Drive Memphis, TN 38118
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding will be used to provide grants to increase homeownership, especially among African-American families, and to help revitalize neighborhoods that are vulnerable due to the age of the housing stock, longstanding problems accessing investment and impact of the foreclosure crisis.
Document
United Housing FY23 Disclosure Letter.pdf (211.7 KB)

Project Name: South City VI
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: The Memphis Housing Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 700 Adams Ave. Memphis, TN 38105
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding will be used to support the final phase of the redevelopment of The Foote Park at South City Community Homes (South City), into a mixed-income, multigenerational community.
Document
South City FY23 Disclosure Letter.pdf (211.22 KB)

Project Name: The Expansion of YMCA Before and After School Care in Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 7171 Goodlett Farms Parkway, Cordova, TN 38016
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding will be used to expand high quality before and after school programming to serve more under-resourced and under-served youth who need care in Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Document
YMCA FY23 Disclosure Letter.pdf (679.68 KB)

Project Name: Stax Music Academy and Soulsville Charter School
Request Amount: $1,150,000
Intended Recipient: Soulsville Foundation
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38106
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to support educational programing for middle and high school students, including an after-school music program.
Document
Stax Music Academy FY23 Disclosure Letter.docx (43.1 KB)

Project Name: Le Bonheur Pediatric Mobile Intensive Care Transport Vehicles
Request Amount: $970,000
Intended Recipient: Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 848 Adams Ave, Memphis TN 38103
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to purchase new fully-equipped pediatric mobile intensive care transport vehicles to transport critically ill newborns and children. The care provided during transport of acutely ill children is critical in producing positive outcomes
Document
Le Bonheur Disclosure Letter.pdf (677.07 KB)

Project Name: 901 Entrepreneurs Program
Request Amount: $673,332
Intended Recipient: Vibrant Memphis Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 150 Peabody Place, Lower level, Memphis, TN 38103.
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to provide business planning, program and growth resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs who have the potential to strengthen the Memphis economy.
Document
901 entrepreneurs FY23 Disclosure Letter.pdf (673.73 KB)

Project Name: Competitive Edge Program
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Agape Child and Family Services
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 3160 Directors Row, Memphis, TN. 38131
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to support the Competitive Edge job training and career placement program, which will help increase workforce development-related strategies in traditionally under-resourced Memphis communities to build economic mobility and intergenerational independence.
Document
Agape Disclosure Letter.pdf (678.57 KB)

Project Name: Studio Village
Request Amount: $1,275,000
Intended Recipient: Hospitality Hub
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 590 Washington Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): to provide support to chronically homeless men and women. The Hospitality Hub (the Hub) is the region's central point of entry into the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC). Each year the Hospitality Hub welcomes 2500 newly homeless men, women and children as guests.to provide support to chronically homeless men and women. The Hospitality Hub (the Hub) is the region's central point of entry into the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC). Each year the Hospitality Hub welcomes 2500 newly homeless men, women and children as guests.
Document
Studio Villiage Disclosure Letter.docx (42.71 KB)

Fiscal Year 2022:

Listed below are the Community Funding Projects that Congressman Cohen submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2022. The projects are listed in alphabetical order by intended recipient and do not indicate any order of priority.

Project Name: Memphis ReStart Initiative
Request Amount: $750,000
Intended Recipient: Black Business Association of Memphis
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 480 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to support the multi-faceted small business development program that focuses on three areas: Talent, Acquisitions, and Talent Acquisitions in order to nurture Black enterprises toward economic equity as well as addressing the wealth gap. This includes leadership training for Black managers, entrepreneurs and business owners, and identifying opportunities for Black businesses to thrive.
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter

Project Name: Cocaine and Alcohol Awareness Program, Incorporated (CAAP, Inc) Community Corrections Program
Request Amount: $670,500
Intended Recipient: Cocaine and Alcohol Awareness Program, Incorporated (CAAP, Inc)
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 4041 Knight Arnold Rd, Memphis, TN 38118
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to support the community-based, residential, alternative to incarceration, corrections program that has a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Corrections. CAAP, Inc.'s program supports non-violent offenders who suffer with a substance use and mental health disorder. The program's goals include reducing overall recidivism and crime within the Memphis and Shelby County communities.
Document
CAAP Inc Disclosure Letter.pdf (667.49 KB)

Project Name: Historic Melrose Redevelopment Project
Request Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Memphis, Housing & Community Development
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 590 Washington Avenue, TN 3810
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to invest in the redevelopment of the Historic Melrose High School and the Orange Mound Community, which was the first African-American neighborhood in the U.S. to be built by and for African-Americans. The project will provide senior housing and will create a place for nonprofits to convene and offer numerous community services. It will also include a library and genealogy center, which will highlight the former school and neighborhood's rich history.
Document
Melrose Disclosure Letter.pdf (670.51 KB)

Project Name: Christian Brothers University Community Engagement Partnerships with Binghampton and Orange Mound Neighborhoods, Memphis, TN
Request Amount: $386,221.55
Intended Recipient: Christian Brothers University
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 650 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to support community engagement efforts in Binghampton and Orange Mound neighborhoods through four targeted initiatives: (1) the Community Academic Internship Program; (2) the Community-Engaged Learning Program; and (3) the Servant Leadership Fellowship Program; (4) the Community Innovation Project Fund. These initiatives will continue to support these communities by providing workforce development, coordinated and experiential educational opportunities, as well as support for local nonprofit organizations.
Document
Christian Brothers Disclosure Letter.pdf (673.32 KB)

Project Name: Supporting Whole-Person Primary Care and Other Services to Serve the Healthcare Needs of the Uninsured and Underserved
Request Amount: $355,224
Intended Recipient: Church Health
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 142, Memphis, TN 38104
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to obtain up-to-date technology in all aspects of operations and have the clinical equipment needed to support the multiple services provided to patients in need in Shelby County and to help Church Health share its data, knowledge and model with clinics across Tennessee and the entire U.S.
Document
Church Health Disclosure Letter.pdf (669.47 KB)

Project Name: Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital in collaboration with Room In The Inn-Memphis
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 409 Ayers Street, Memphis, TN 38105-3112
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to repurpose the former African-American hospital into a homeless shelter that will provide the first respite/recuperative care center in the Midsouth for homeless individuals who are medically fragile.
Document
Collins Chapel Disclosure Letter.pdf (663.83 KB)

Project Name: Sadie B's Kitchen in Memphis, TN
Request Amount: $450,000
Intended Recipient: Hospitality Hub
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 590 Washington Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to build a commercial kitchen in the new shelter and operations Hub, as well as two supplemental food truck parking bays. The Hospitality Hub (the Hub) is the region's central point of entry into the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC). Each year the Hospitality Hub welcomes 2500 newly homeless men, women and children as guests.
Document
Hospitality Hub Disclosure Letter.pdf (670.15 KB)

Project Name: Memphis Home Repair Program
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Memphis
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2633 Inverary Cove, Memphis, TN 38119
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to provide grants for very low-income seniors. LISC Memphis worked in partnership with the City to identify affordable housing preservation needs, barriers that homeowners face in accessing capital, and the resulting need for significant home repair assistance.
Document
LISC Disclosure Letter.pdf (667.42 KB)

Project Name: Regional One Health Care Access and Quality Care Improvements
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Regional One Health
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 877 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to provide priority clinical enhancements that will enable front line health care workers the ability to diagnose and treat ill and critically injured patients more accurately and quickly. As the only essential access health care system in Shelby County, and the oldest teaching hospital in the state of Tennessee, these improvements will continue to improve the quality of care for vulnerable Shelby County residents.
Document
Region One Disclosure Letter.pdf (669.17 KB)

Project Name: Tom Lee Park, Memphis, TN
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Riverfront Development Inc. d/b/a/ Memphis River Parks Partnership
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 22 N Front St., Ste 960, Memphis TN 38103
Explanation of the request (must include purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds): The funding would be used to further develop and provide improvements for a larger river front park transformation, which will create an equitable, shared community space for all Memphians.
Document
Tom Lee Park Disclosure Letter.pdf (670.24 KB)