“My dad was in and out of the picture when I was growing up, but both my grandfathers were consistent influences. Both were very disciplined men. One grandfather woke up at 4:00 every Saturday morning and swept the street from end to end. I’d be right there with him, even though I hated doing it. I didn’t want be up that early; it wasn’t MY street. But he said, ‘You have to take pride in something, even if it’s just getting up in the morning and sweeping.’ He made it his weekend job to clean up his neighborhood. My other grandfather was always encouraging. I remember calling him when I first left for college. I didn’t want to ask for anything, but I needed money for books. He said, ‘Son, you don’t get what you don’t ask for. You have to open your mouth. Now remember, this is not a loan. You study and get your work done.’ And I did. I got my diploma. Both of my grandfathers were passionate about helping people without enabling them. They let you know, ‘I don’t give handouts, but I will help you see that there are ways to earn.’ One grandfather always said, ‘This is my gift to you: Work.’
“I think my grandfathers’ influence helped prepare me for what I do now as the Work Life Coordinator for Advance Memphis. A lot of times I just walk through the 38126 area and ask people if they need a GED or a job or if they know someone who does. I tell them what we have to offer, and there are people who sign up My favorite part is hearing them say, at the completion of the program, ‘I’m proud of myself for finishing something for the first time in a long time.'
“One guy in particular stands out to me. He had been coming in and hanging out while his girlfriend attended the class I was teaching. One day I asked him, ‘Are you interested in getting your GED too?’ He was kind of bashful to say yes, but eventually I convinced him to enroll. The wheels started turning, and he realized he hadn’t forgotten that much since high school. It was very encouraging to hear him tell me one day: ‘If you had been my high school teacher, I would have finished.’ He completed the Work Life class, got his GED, and is working on his Machine Operator Certification at Moore Tech now. He’s well on his way.
“It’s not an accident at all that I’m doing what I do now. It’s a blessing to be able to use my gifts every day, to let people know I love them, not because of anything they’ve done or will do, but because God loves them. And because I love them too, I hold them to a higher standard.”
“I think my grandfathers’ influence helped prepare me for what I do now as the Work Life Coordinator for Advance Memphis. A lot of times I just walk through the 38126 area and ask people if they need a GED or a job or if they know someone who does. I tell them what we have to offer, and there are people who sign up My favorite part is hearing them say, at the completion of the program, ‘I’m proud of myself for finishing something for the first time in a long time.'
“One guy in particular stands out to me. He had been coming in and hanging out while his girlfriend attended the class I was teaching. One day I asked him, ‘Are you interested in getting your GED too?’ He was kind of bashful to say yes, but eventually I convinced him to enroll. The wheels started turning, and he realized he hadn’t forgotten that much since high school. It was very encouraging to hear him tell me one day: ‘If you had been my high school teacher, I would have finished.’ He completed the Work Life class, got his GED, and is working on his Machine Operator Certification at Moore Tech now. He’s well on his way.
“It’s not an accident at all that I’m doing what I do now. It’s a blessing to be able to use my gifts every day, to let people know I love them, not because of anything they’ve done or will do, but because God loves them. And because I love them too, I hold them to a higher standard.”
LaRon Tripp is the Work Life Coordinator for Advance Memphis, 769 Vance Avenue.
Advance Memphis Phone: 901-543-8525
Advance Memphis Phone: 901-543-8525
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