Support DeAndre and Vinessa Brown's Family

Two of Memphis’ most devoted servant-leaders need our immediate help.

Since 2009 when they founded Lifeline To Success - one of the nation’s most successful ex-offender re-entry programs - DeAndre and Vinessa Brown have helped hundreds of justice-involved men and women to transform their lives.

Award-winning advocates for criminal justice reform, and pillars of the historic Frayser community, they are also the devoted mother and father of what they like to call “8 Brown kids.” Over the years the Browns undertook immense personal risk to be a Lifeline to others, at one early point even living in a shelter as they sacrificed everything to start their service organization.

On August 27th, 2025, the entire community was shocked when the Browns were taken into police custody under indictment regarding the fiscal management of the organization. The state Comptroller’s office alleges that organizational funds were used to pay personal expenses.

We, the friends of the Brown family, are not here to pass judgment on the details of nonprofit governance. What we know is that DeAndre and Vinessa are heroes. So many of us have depended on them. And now they need us.

Their family will need resources for daily living expenses - food, housing and utility costs, transportation - and help to repay any past family expenses needed by the court to resolve this matter.

Please join us in being there for those who are always here for others. Those who have taught us that we are not our past, we are not our crimes - we are new.