By JR Robinson MEMPHIS, TN — July 28, 2026

In a city where a young person's future is far too often dictated by their zip code, STREETS Ministries stands as an unwavering fortress of opportunity, literacy, and redemption. For nearly three decades, the non-profit organization has quietly delivered life-changing intervention—meeting students in their darkest hours, opening doors to academic achievement, and cultivating safe havens where Memphis youth can dare to dream beyond their immediate surroundings.

Now, as the organization expands its regional footprint following strategic operational mergers, STREETS is calling upon the business leaders, civic champions, and citizens of Greater Memphis to step onto the green and support the next generation.

On Monday, September 28, 2026, Chickasaw Country Club will play host to the annual "Swinging for STREETS" golf tournament, a high-impact fundraising event presented by V. Alexander & Co. designed to directly resource local youth mentorship and literacy initiatives.

The Battle After the Bell: Why STREETS Exists

For hundreds of children growing up in South Memphis and Graham Heights, the end of the school day at 3:00 PM marks the beginning of a daily hazard course. Statistically, the hours between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM represent the peak window for juvenile crime and street solicitation across the nation. In underserved corridors, young people regularly face systemic poverty, neighborhood violence, and the crushing pressure of gang affiliation.

Without a structured shield, the streets demand a heavy toll. STREETS Ministries was engineered specifically to stand in that gap.

Operating out of two primary anchors—the South Memphis Center on Vance Avenue and the Graham Heights Center near Highland Heights—STREETS serves over 400 students daily from second grade through high school graduation. The non-profit provides a holistic ecosystem featuring:

• The Pathways Literacy Initiative: Targeted small-group reading instruction and one-on-one tutoring engineered to ensure third-grade reading proficiency—a critical benchmark tied to high school graduation rates.

• The Leadership Development Track: High school support offering college visits, ACT preparation, financial literacy classes, and career placement.

• A Safe Haven: Full-scale gymnasiums, computer labs, and hot meal programs that offer physical safety and nutritional support every afternoon.

A Leader Who Walked the Path: Executive Director Eric Ballentine

At the center of this mission is Executive Director Eric Ballentine, a leader whose authority isn't derived from an ivory tower, but from the very concrete streets he now seeks to transform.

Growing up in South Memphis, Ballentine was no stranger to the perils facing today's youth. As a young man, he walked a precarious path defined by street violence and gang culture, experiencing firsthand the hopeless sensation of believing survival was the absolute limit of his future.

His turning point came through a profound personal transformation grounded in faith, leading him to renounce street life and dedicate his career to juvenile intervention, gang diversion, and community restoration. Rather than leaving his old neighborhood behind, Ballentine returned directly to the streets that raised him—spending the last two decades proving to Memphis youth that their current environment does not define their destiny.

"I know what it’s like to feel as though the world has written you off," Ballentine stated in a recent interview. "I know what it's like to look at the streets and think that's all there is for you. But when you place a dedicated mentor in a child's life, surround them with literacy, structure, and unconditional love, you watch those cycles break. You watch a child realize they are capable of changing this city."

Under Ballentine's direction, STREETS operates less like a standard after-school program and more like an emergency sanctuary. Mentors don't simply supervise recreation; they attend court hearings, participate in parent-teacher conferences, and stand on the front lines of their students' personal lives.

The 2026 Tournament: Swinging for the Future

To sustain and expand these critical programs, STREETS Ministries is mobilizing the mid-south community for its primary fall fundraiser.

EVENT BRIEFING:

• Event: 2026 Swinging for STREETS Golf Tournament

• Date: Monday, September 28, 2026

• Location: Chickasaw Country Club, Memphis, TN

• Schedule: Registration opens at 11:00 AM

• Presenting Sponsor: V. Alexander & Co.

Community members, corporate teams, and individual donors are encouraged to participate. Every tournament registration, hole sponsorship, and direct gift directly funds hot meals, literacy tutors, and full-time mentors for Memphis students throughout the academic year.

How to Get Involved

• Tournament Registration & Sponsorships: To register a team or secure a corporate sponsorship for the September 28th event, visit the official event portal at pro.gofundme.com/e815796.

• Learn More About the Mission: To explore volunteer opportunities, mentor programs, or organizational history, visit StreetsMinistries.org.