Hardworking, dedicated, enthusiastic, and driven....these are a few of the adjectives used to describe FirstWorks Executive Director, Rev. Birgitte T. French when she was recently honored as one of "12 Who Make a Difference" in Memphis.
Rev. French, also known as "Pastor Bee", leads the FirstWorks After School Academic Program for inner city children from Memphis' poorest zip codes. Additionally, she operates a food pantry and clothes closet for the families of these children.
Enlisting the help of Memphis City School teachers and numerous volunteers and churches, FirstWorks meets twice a week in the evening and on Saturdays at Union Avenue United Methodist Church.
The children are brought to the church by the FirstWorks bus and welcomed into a loving and motivating atmosphere where they enjoy a nutritious meal provided by volunteers. Following dinner, the children are tutored and helped with school projects. Special guest speakers visit with the children once a month to talk about their futures and career choices.
Saturdays the children are invited by sponsoring churches to attend sports and entertainment activities.
Since 1988, FirstWorks, a 501 C 3 mission, has been reaching out and embracing near-homeless children who live in dire poverty.
These children, grades 1 - 12, are referred to the program by Memphis City School counselors. They are chosen for the program because they have little support at home, but have the intellectual capability to achieve great things in life.
Pastor Bee said of this vital program, "At FirstWorks, these children get a chance to relax in a safe and encouraging place. Here they can enjoy positive relationships with caring adults who become role models for these impressionable young people. FirstWorks is where the children have a chance to be themselves and dream, dream big. They have a bright future ahead of them."
When told she was chosen by the Commercial Appeal as one of the "12 Who Make A Difference in Memphis", Pastor Bee said, "I am very humbled by this honor. It is a joy to work with these kids."