MIFA History II continued Charter Broadened In 1975 MIFA's charter was amended to add: “It shall serve as an agency to deliver services in areas of social services, health, education, housing, transportation, and any other areas appropriate to the purposes of MIFA.” Father John Batson endorsed this emphasis on service delivery as the way to effect change. “You can be an advocate for human needs that are not being met if you are already providing a service that gives you instant credibility.” Thus, over the past three decades, MIFA's programs have changed to meet critical and emerging needs. Programs have been initiated and operated by MIFA until the need is stabilized and the operation mature, then, as mentioned above with MIFA Transit in out-lying counties or the HMO, turned over to other agencies or nurtured, then spun off as independent entities (Food Bank, Memphis Literacy Council, the Housing Opportunities Corporation, Child Sexual Abuse Council-now Child Advocacy Center, etc.). Tax rebates for the Elderly required a concentrated sign-up effort to reach the homebound elderly. VISTAs Bridget Church, Virginia Hiett, Virginia Klettner, Rita Seigle, Beverly Sims and Diane Wellford were directed to reach the isolated seniors and document their eligibility. Armed with only early models of portable copiers in large, black suitcases, they would enter a home, set the machine on a bed, and watch as birth certificates, etc. disappeared into the black box, hoping that readable, albeit smudgy, copies would appear. After this initial sign-up drive was completed, the State office for ongoing enrollment has continued the program. In 1976 MIFA was awarded a Tennessee Committee for the Humanities (now Tennessee Humanities Council) grant to document neighborhood histories and the impact of public policy on their growth and development. Eight such histories were researched and written by Peggy Jemison and Betty Tilley, assisted by a group of dedicated VISTAs. A Mott Foundation Grant for a community education project continued this neighborhood emphasis. The purpose of the grant was to assist neighborhood schools retain their identity by offering educational activities for all ages. Out of the experience gained from these projects came the MIFA Center for Neighborhoods with former project director Vida Andersen at the helm. Located in the historic George Collins Love House, the center, now administered by the City of Memphis, coordinates neighborhood associations and fosters community improvement. MIFA also coordinated the Vietnamese Resettlement Project which began in 1975. VISTAs Joanne Brown, Tharon Kirk, Betty Smith and Sybil Tucker assisted with this all-out effort. Once the initial influx has been served, Catholic Charities became the lead agency. Next: Cases for Emergencies