MIFA History II continued MIFA Responds to Emerging Needs Former Associate Executive Director Virginia Dunaway points out, “Much of MIFA is responding to people in crisis-or trying to prevent a crisis from occurring. There are so many unmet needs for which MIFA receives the first call.” The Memphis Coalition for the Homeless was organized by MIFA in 1985. Originally coordinated by former VISTAs Selma Lewis and Marjean Kremer, it provided a forum for those agencies dealing with the problem. It now functions as an arm of City government. The Child Sexual Abuse Council was nurtured to maturity by MIFA and then spun off as The Child Advocacy Center. The critical need for affordable housing prompted MIFA to adopt some creative solutions. An idea for combining abandoned railroad boxcars into single family homes was brought to MIFA by former MIFA employee Bena Cates and her real estate developer husband George. The project was adopted by the Homebuilders Association of Memphis and completed as affordable, attractive and energy efficient housing called City Cottages. Twenty-four units designed specifically for the physically handicapped, Independent Apartments represent another innovation in housing. Land conveniently close to MIFA and the medical center was acquired at a bargain price through the City's Division of Housing and Community Development. The first project of its kind in Tennessee and the only one sponsored by HUD in the region, low-income, independent individuals now occupy the apartments. The Latino-Memphis Conexion is a collaboration of more than 40 organizations and individuals interested in building connections between Memphis' growing Hispanic population and the larger Memphis community. Services include a bilingual resource directory, health access services, English language instruction, legal assistance and a cultural festival. Memphis Parent, a free monthly newsmagazine, reaches 37,000 households in the Memphis area. While providing local information, ideas and analysis, it helps to strengthen family life and promote positive, productive lifestyles in all walks of life. Next: The Future