FOR THE PAST THREE 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 WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. THE CORONAVIRUS 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 IN JANUARY OF 2021 TO FUND A FULL-TIME HOMELESSNESS OUTREACH WORKER EMPLOYED BY STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT. THE HOMELESSNESS OUTREACH WORKER WILL PROVIDE DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WITH A RELIABLE, “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” RESOURCE FOR RESPONDING TO HOMELESSNESS. THE OUTREACH WORKER WILL CONNECT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT TO EXISTING RESOURCES, INCLUDING STABLE HOUSING.
THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, WE HOPE TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF THE HOMELESS WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN JACKSON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BY ASSISTING THEM ON A PATH TO STABLE HOUSING AND WITH RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.