Meijer donates $10K to Jackson Street Commons

Spencer Durham, Kokomo Tribune, Ind.
·2 min read

Oct. 23—A $10,000 donation from Meijer will go toward continuing operations at Jackson Street Commons.

The organization, which provides permanent and supportive housing to homeless veterans, was presented the donation Monday morning at the Kokomo Meijer.

The program provides rental assistance to veterans facing homelessness. Jackson Street Commons is mostly grant funded. It has 27 one-bedroom apartments.

"We're a place to call home for veterans who were homeless," said Angie Ciski, director of community services for the Family Service Association of Howard County.

Jackson Street Commons also serves as a resource center for all veterans, helping them connect to needed services, such as Veterans Affairs (VA).

The veterans housing program operates under the Housing First model. This model prioritizes providing those in need with housing first, before addressing other issues that might contribute to homelessness, such as finances, mental health and substance abuse.

By providing those in need with basic necessities, such as food and shelter, it makes it easier for people to address their other issues. Municipalities across the country that have tried Housing First have found this model of addressing homeless reduces the strain on public resources like policing and emergency health care.

The goal is for veterans staying at Jackson Street Commons to reach a point where they can secure their own housing, freeing up their spot for another in need.

"That's one of the neatest things for me is when they come to me and say 'My goal is to be out in a year,'" said Tammy Price, program manager at Jackson Street.

Donations like the one on Monday is one of the main ways Meijer gives back to communities, according to Phyllis Carter, administrative retail assistant.

"It makes me feel more happy because my uncle was in the VA," she said. "It makes me feel more proud than anything."

Spencer Durham can be reached at 765-454-8598, by email at spencer.durham@kokomotribune.com or on Twitter at @Durham_KT.