HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE

DOWNTOWN JACKSON PARTNERS HAS LONG BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN FACILITATING COHESIVE EXISTENCE AMONG THE FULL SPECTRUM OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN JACKSON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. THIS INCLUDES ENSURING TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY THAT EVERYONE ADHERES TO THE LAW, AND IS ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY HERE. IT ALSO INCLUDES OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

DOWNTOWN’S HOMELESSNESS OUTREACH PROGRAM

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, DOWNTOWN JACKSON PARTNERS AND STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION REGARDING THE NEED TO HAVE OPTIONS, IN ADDITION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR RESPONDING TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OF 2020 ONLY INTENSIFIED THIS NEED AS PUBLIC SPACES AND OTHER ENTITIES CLOSED OR LIMITED ENTRY OR CAPACITY COUNTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES INCREASED.

TO MEET THE GROWING CRISIS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, DJP PARTNERED WITH VISIT JACKSON, GALLOWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO FUND A FULL-TIME HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR, EMPLOYED BY STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES, FOR THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT.

DOWNTOWN’S HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR PROVIDES DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WITH A RELIABLE, “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” RESOURCE FOR RESPONDING TO HOMELESSNESS. IN JUST ONE YEAR, DOWNTOWN’S HOMELESS OUTREACH WORKER HAS MET WITH OVER 100 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, CONDUCTING FORMAL INTERVIEWS WITH OVER 80 OF THESE INDIVIDUALS. OF THESE WHO WERE INTERVIEWED, 51 REQUESTED TO BE PLACED ON A LIST FOR HOUSING NEEDS, AND DURING 2021, 9 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WERE PLACED IN HOUSING. DOWNTOWN’S HOMELESS OUTREACH WORKER CONTINUES TO CONNECT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH EXISTING RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

HOMELESS RESOURCE GUIDE

STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES AND GALLOWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, ALONG WITH DOWNTOWN JACKSON PARTNERS, HAVE PREPARED A GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS OF CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI.

WHETHER IT BE FINDING FOOD, CLOTHING, OR SHELTER, OR SEEKING MEDICAL OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE GUIDE CAN HELP POINT THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, OR ARE IN DANGER OF EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. RESOURCE PROVIDERS, BOTH LOCALLY WITHIN DOWNTOWN JACKSON AND ACROSS CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI, ARE LISTED WITHIN EACH SECTION. MAPS, TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION, HELPFUL TIPS, AND IMPORTANT HOTLINES ARE ALSO PROVIDED.

PICK UP A COPY OF THE HOMELESS RESOURCE GUIDE AT STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES, OR PRINT YOUR OWN PDF VERSION BY CLICKING THE BUTTON BELOW.