Opinion: MIFA lost a staff leader with superpowers
Phyllis Phillips (right) poses with Zach Randolph during a check presentation at MIFA several years ago. Phillips worked at Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association for 33 years when she died in February at the age of 59. (Courtesy MIFA)
Sally Jones Heinz
Sally Jones Heinz, a native Memphian, is president and CEO of MIFA, a 51-year-old nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the independence of vulnerable seniors and families in crisis through high-impact programs.
Phyllis Phillips was a great boss and co-worker, but her real superpower was her network of connections across the city, which she would tap fearlessly to get as many clients as possible the help they needed.
Topics
MIFA Phyllis PhillipsRelated stories
Despite pandemic, wheels still rolling at MIFA
Since March, it has received 3,341 applications for emergency financial assistance with 80% of the requests citing COVID-19 as the reason for applying.
Our City, Our Story: MIFA hosts acclaimed sociologist who shows that evictions deepen poverty
MIFA has organized a “community conversation” on evictions in Memphis. The organization is encouraging everyone to read “Evicted,” and to register for the Our City, Our Story online event at mifa.org.
Homeless agencies scrambling to keep staff safe, guests sheltered from COVID-19
As coronavirus surges, rising toll of infections, deaths push agencies to provide more testing.