Lemonade and Yard Sales Generate Thousands for COE Child Intervention Program
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In the summer of 2023, Germantown high-schooler Evan Wu wanted to make an impact in Memphis’s mental health community.
Wu recalled, “From a news article, I learned of a recent shooting in which the perpetrator was afflicted with mental health issues. I realized that many crimes could be prevented if these individuals were to receive treatment and assistance at an early stage.”
Wu soon discovered the Regional Intervention Program (RIP), a statewide early intervention program for children six and under who experience
behavioral problems. After touring the Memphis facility and meeting Program Coordinator
Jennifer Davis, Wu reached out to his friend Alan Cheng to figure out how they could
support RIP. Both Wu and Cheng are members of the Association of Youth Leaders in the United States (AYLUS) Greater Memphis Branch, with Cheng serving as the current president. 
“Mental illness and mental health are significant factors in many people’s lives,” Cheng said. “Since many families are ill-equipped to deal with unexpected issues like autism and ADHD, we wanted to support a cause that helps families overcome these barriers.”
“It is encouraging to see youth taking an active interest in mental health and finding ways to support the programs in our community,” said Davis.
The two, along with 30 other AYLUS members ranging from grades 5-12, decided to support RIP through fundraisers such as yard sales and lemonade stands. Over the course of last summer, 30 AYLUS members including Wu and Cheng organized several stands and sales across Germantown and Collierville, raising $2,530 in total. Fast forward to this summer, and the group is doing the exact same thing. They’re currently just shy of a thousand dollars on the season, a big chunk of that coming from their most recent yard sale this past weekend.
“The community response to our work has been exceptionally positive, with neighbors even dropping off old, unwanted items as donations,” Cheng said. “Many people at our lemonade stands also generously donate extra money to support the cause, which is greatly appreciated.”
“We don’t have a definitive funding goal, but, of course, the more money we can raise, the better,” Wu added.
However, they do have an itemized goal. Wu and Cheng have since toured RIP’s new facility
in Building 29 on the University of Memphis Park Avenue campus and decided the facility
could use a new playground for the children in the program.
“(Evan and Alan) have seen the potential for RIP,” Davis said. “Adding a playground will help parents in the program practice and generalize their skills in more real-life situations. Getting to practice with guidance and feedback…gives parents back the confidence they need to participate in regular family activities and to trust themselves as parents.”
“Through our efforts, I find solace in knowing that we are actively working toward an improved Memphis community,” said Wu.
Over the last two summers, AYLUS Greater Memphis has raised $4,500 in total for local libraries and the Mid-South Food Bank, as well as RIP. Wu, Cheng, and the branch have yard sales planned for the end of June and in July, dates are to be announced. The Greater Memphis chapter was founded in July of 2020 and has since received several national AYLUS awards among the network’s 99 branches.
RIP is a part of the College of Education’s Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership at the University of Memphis.