About Strong Arms of Mississippi

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Benny Ivey, a former gang leaderand drug addict who had served 11 years in prison, and Terun Moore, a former gang member who served 19 and 1/2 years in prison along with other men and women who have been personally impacted by crime, drugs, and gangs started Strong Arms of Mississippi at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Having proven to turn their lives around in a positive direction and use their influence to impact communities, and help to guide and mentor At-Risk Youth in and out of juvenile detention. Using similar life experiences, we are able to reach these young people where they are and guide them away from those negative mindsets and lifestyles that can only lead to prison or death. 

The Strong Arms of Mississippi motto is "Rebuilding Communities We Once Helped To Destroy" and we do so by impacting the lives of our youth in communities and in dention centers in Central Mississippi and beyond.

Strong Arms of Mississippi was founded by formerly incarcerated men, Benny Ivey and Terun Moore, in 2018. Strong Arms of Mississippi is a Credible Messenger program designed to guide and mentor youth who are in and out of the Juvenile Justice System to direct them on a more positive path.  Initial funds were established with help from The People's Advocacy Institute, allowing Strong Arms of Mississippi to be able to add additional mentors and staff. After numerous community meetings and networking, the program launched with boots on the ground in communities at the beginning of 2020.  Strong Arms of Mississippi now occupies Sykes Community Center in South Jackson, MS as well as working with the youth of Rankin County through Move Church in Pearl, MS.