Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Tolliver.
Hi Elizabeth , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Elizabeth Tolliver, and I am the Founder and CEO of Elements of Life. I am a former Special Education Teacher and Social Worker with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS). My husband, Michael Tolliver, is an English teacher with Memphis-Shelby County Schools. We were both born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and have always been passionate about helping children, families, and our community.
In 2005, we moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to pursue our Master’s degrees in Education at Middle Tennessee State University. After completing our graduate studies, we returned to Memphis in 2011 and began our careers in education. During my years in teaching and social services, I witnessed firsthand the challenges many children and families faced. Eventually, I stepped away from teaching after being diagnosed with complex partial seizures, which required me to focus on my health.
Throughout Michael’s teaching career, he would often come home frustrated by what he was seeing in the classroom. One of his biggest concerns was the lack of parental engagement and support in their children’s education. He frequently talked about how many parents were disconnected from what was happening in school and were often unaware of their child’s academic and behavioral struggles. He would often say, “Parents have the power. They have the ability to influence whether their children attend school, respect others, and value education.”
In addition to the lack of parental engagement, Michael witnessed students struggling with chronic absenteeism, behavioral challenges, frequent fights, and poor academic performance. One concern that stood out to him was the number of middle school students reading far below grade level. Many students in grades 6 through 8 were reading at approximately a third-grade reading level, making it difficult for them to succeed academically and fully engage in classroom instruction. He became increasingly concerned about how many children and families were facing challenges without knowing where to turn for help.
Those conversations led us to a simple but powerful realization: lasting change begins at home.
In February 2023, we launched Elements of Life by distributing flyers throughout the community and utilizing social media to spread awareness about free parenting classes and family support services. With no funding, no staff, and very little support, we were determined to make a difference. We began offering free parenting classes at the North Frayser Community Center, serving one of the most underserved communities in Memphis. Our goal was simple to provide parents with tools, resources, education, and encouragement to strengthen their families.
As we worked with parents, we quickly realized that parenting education was only part of the solution. Families were facing much larger challenges, including truancy, behavioral health concerns, mental health issues, educational barriers, gang involvement, and family instability. Many parents expressed concerns about their children receiving special education services, struggling academically, and falling behind in school.
A major turning point came when we received a phone call from Action News 5. The station wanted to learn more about our vision and the work we were doing in the community. After our story aired, parents began reaching out from across Memphis seeking support and services for their families.
The more we listened, the more we understood the growing need for comprehensive family support services. Parents repeatedly shared concerns about behavioral issues, school attendance, mental health challenges, gang involvement, educational barriers, and difficulties navigating the school system. Many were overwhelmed and simply did not know where to find help.
As a former social worker with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, I understood many of these barriers firsthand. I contacted DCS to learn how Elements of Life could become a provider and help families involved with the child welfare system. Our goal was to bridge the gap between families and the resources they needed to succeed.
Today, Elements of Life proudly serves families throughout Tennessee by providing Parent Education, Anger Management, Parenting Assessments, and Counseling services. We are an approved vendor with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), allowing us to provide services to families involved with the child welfare system. We are also stakeholders with Shelby County Juvenile Court and have partnered with community initiatives such as Driving The Dream through United Way.
What started as a vision between a husband and wife has grown into a mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening families, empowering parents, and creating brighter futures for children. Every day, we remain committed to our belief that when parents are empowered with the right tools, education, and support, families can overcome challenges and create lasting change.
At Elements of Life, our message remains the same: “Parents, You Have the Power!”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been lots of challenges and obstacles along the way. Building a nonprofit organization from the ground up is never easy, and Elements of Life has experienced many growing pains since its launch in 2023.
One of our biggest challenges has been gaining credibility as a newer organization. Like many grassroots nonprofits, we had to work hard to build trust, establish relationships, and demonstrate the value of our services. In a relationship-driven environment, it can take time for people to learn who you are, understand your mission, and believe in the impact you can make.
Another challenge was starting with very limited resources. We launched Elements of Life with a vision of reconnecting parents with their children and strengthening families, but without significant funding, staff, or infrastructure. Much of our early outreach consisted of distributing flyers, utilizing social media, attending community events, and introducing ourselves to anyone willing to listen. Building awareness of our services required persistence, consistency, and a strong belief in our mission.
Funding has also been an ongoing challenge. Many nonprofit organizations struggle to secure the financial resources necessary to grow and sustain programs. We have had to be creative, resourceful, and strategic while continuing to provide support to families who often face financial hardships themselves.
As our organization grew, we quickly discovered that the needs of families were much greater than we initially anticipated. Parents were not only seeking parenting education, but also support with truancy, behavioral concerns, mental health challenges, educational advocacy, family conflict, and access to community resources. Meeting those growing needs while maintaining quality services has required continuous learning, collaboration, and dedication.
Another obstacle has been balancing growth with capacity. As more families learned about our services, we had to determine how to expand responsibly while ensuring that every parent and family continued to receive quality support and attention.
Despite these challenges, every obstacle has helped strengthen our organization. Each challenge taught us valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of staying focused on our mission. The journey has not always been easy, but seeing families become stronger, more confident, and more connected reminds us why we started Elements of Life in the first place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Elements of Life, our mission is to provide parents and caregivers with the skills and resources needed to raise emotionally, physically, and mentally healthy children. We believe that strong families create strong communities, and our goal is to empower parents with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to be successful.
We specialize in parenting education using an evidence-based curriculum designed to help parents and caregivers strengthen family relationships, improve communication, understand child development, and create healthy home environments. In addition to parenting education, we provide anger management and family support services that help families address challenges related to behavior, school performance, attendance, family conflict, and overall family stability.
What I am most proud of is that Elements of Life was built from the ground up with a genuine passion for helping families. We started with a vision, a few flyers, social media, and a commitment to serve our community. Today, we have had the opportunity to support parents and caregivers from diverse backgrounds who are working to create healthier and more stable environments for their children.
I believe what sets us apart is our combination of professional experience and personal commitment to the families we serve. As a former Special Education Teacher and Social Worker, I have firsthand experience working with children and families facing educational, behavioral, and family-related challenges. My husband, an English teacher, brings years of classroom experience and has seen how parental involvement directly impacts a child’s academic and personal success.
We are known for taking a practical, supportive, and non-judgmental approach with families. Rather than focusing on what parents are doing wrong, we focus on building upon their strengths and helping them develop effective parenting skills. We strive to meet families where they are, provide encouragement, and connect them with the resources they need to succeed.
What sets Elements of Life apart is our ability to combine education, real world experience, and compassion. We understand that every family has a unique story, and we work to provide individualized support while creating a safe and welcoming environment where parents feel respected, heard, and empowered.
At the end of the day, what makes me most proud is seeing parents become more confident, families improve their relationships, and children benefit from healthier home environments. Knowing that our work is helping families grow stronger and create positive change for future generations is what continues to inspire us every day.
As we continue to grow, we are expanding our services to include counseling and parenting assessments, allowing us to provide even more comprehensive support to families throughout our community.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is to stay focused on your mission, be patient, and don’t give up when challenges arise. Building something meaningful takes time, and success rarely happens overnight.
One thing I wish I knew when starting out was how important relationship building and networking would be. Having a great idea is important, but building trust and partnerships is just as important.
I also learned not to wait until everything is perfect before getting started. We launched Elements of Life with a vision, a few flyers, social media, and a passion for helping families. Start where you are, use what you have, and keep moving forward.
Most importantly, stay true to your purpose and let your work speak for itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elementsol.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tolliverer/
- Facebook: Elements of Life or Liz Tolliver
