🏚️Jackson's Men's Homeless Shelter Is Long Overdue!🏚️

Good Morning & Happy Father’s Day!

So for Father’s Day, we thought we’d talk about something important: the homeless problem in Jackson. While we’re not at the level of San Francisco, Miami, Nashville or Memphis, we have a chance to address it before it gets worse.

In Today’s “HubCity Newsletter”:

• Let’s Start With A Story 📖 

• The Local Impact On Jackson 🏘️

• The Controversy 🗣️ 

• Weekly Events For The Kids 🛝

• Weekly Events For The Whole Family 🎡 

Read Time: 3 - 5 Minutes

Let’s Begin

By the end of 2023, the U.S. hit its highest level of homelessness. We’ve seen a 12% increase, bringing the total to over 650,000 people according to The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This number might seem small compared to the entire U.S. population, but its impact is felt everywhere, including Jackson.

📖 Let’s Start With A Story 📖

I usually don’t share personal stories here, but this one fits perfectly for this week. In June 2022, I was downtown near The Ned, just enjoying the sights. I noticed a man who looked homeless walking towards me. We exchanged greetings and kept walking. 👀 🗣️

A moment later, I heard him say, “Excuse me, sir, do you know what time it is?” I checked my phone and told him. We started chatting about how nice the day was and what we had planned. We ended up talking for 30 minutes! I figured he might ask for money, so since we had a great conversation I figured I would give him some if he asked. 😅

As we were wrapping up, he asked me for a favor. I thought he’d ask for a few dollars, but instead, he said, “Do you have a Facebook account?” I said yes. He continued, “It would mean the world to me if you could message my son and tell him that his dad loves him and wishes he could be with him for Father’s Day.” 😢

He also asked if I could take a picture of him to send to his son. I said of course! He tidied himself up, and I took his picture. When I showed him the photo, his face lit up with a huge smile. We crafted the message he wanted to send to his son, which included an emotional apology for not being the father his son needed. 💓

After sending the message and photo, he kept thanking me, saying, “You’ve given me the best Father’s Day ever!” We hugged and parted ways. As I walked away, I heard him shout, “Thank you!” I yelled back, “You’re welcome.” A few feet more, I heard a more distant “Thank YOU,” and I turned around with a smile, yelling “You’re WELCOME” again. Just before turning the corner, I heard one last “THANK YOU!” I turned and saw him waving. I yelled one last time, “YOU’RE WELCOME!”

A few days later, I got a response from his son, who had just graduated high school. He thanked me and started asking questions about his dad.

I share this story to remind us that the person on the street was once just like us. In that moment, all I saw was a father wanting to connect with his son. ❤️ (Alright, story time is over!) 😅

But I wanted to share this story to help lay out both sides of the situation when it comes to Jackson’s New Men’s Homeless Shelter.

🏘️ The Local Impact On Jackson 🏘️

Homelessness is a big issue nationwide, and as Jackson grows, living costs will go up. Here are some top factors that lead to homelessness:

• Mental Illness

• Substance Abuse

• Poverty

• Lack Of Affordable Housing

• Trauma and Violence

• Unemployment

• And Sudden Serious Illness

Are all some of the biggest contributors to homelessness. About 70% of homeless people in the U.S. are men, and these percentages are reflected in every state, which is why the Men’s Shelter in Jackson is so vital. When homelessness goes unchecked, it hits the local economy hard. As we mentioned before, the path Jackson takes in the next 5-10 years will shape the next 50 years.

🗣️The Controversy 🗣️ 

One ongoing controversy isn’t about “Why It Took So Long To Get This Approved or Why It Has Yet To Start Construction!”

It’s about the location!

The Men’s Homeless Shelter will be at 127 McCorry Street, within walking distance of downtown. This spot was chosen because it’s close to the resources the residents will need.

• RIFA

• Area Relief Ministries

• Bus Stops

• Bus Terminal

The concern is that this could undo all the hard work, time, money, and value put into downtown. It’s a valid concern.
Here’s a list of cities that are suffering from this same problem:

• St. Louis

• Chicago

• New York

• Los Angeles

• Nashville

• Memphis

• San Francisco

• Baltimore

• Detroit

• Atlanta

We could list 15 more cities, and this wouldn’t be half of them.

I mentioned the story earlier to remind us that these people are human too. But we must also learn from the mistakes of other cities. It’s a delicate situation, balancing Jackson’s financial future and the humanity of those who are homeless.

Alright, that’s it from us this week. We hope you found this edition valuable. Please share it with someone else who might find it helpful. And now, here’s your curated list of events for Monday, June 17th - Sunday, June 23rd.

Monday, June 17th

Under The Big Top Vacation Bible School 😇 
Date: Monday, June 17th
Time: 5:30 PM 
Location: First Baptist Church Bemis
Price: Free 

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉 
Date: Monday, June 17th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Tuesday, June 18th

Empire Theaters8 (Free Movies) 📽️
Date: Tuesday, June 18th
Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: Empire Theaters 8
Movies: Spiderman Into The Spiderverse & The Emoji Movie
Price: Free

Wednesday, June 19th

Under The Big Top Vacation Bible School 😇
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 5:30 PM 
Location: First Baptist Church Bemis
Price: Free 

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼 
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Empire Theaters8 (Free Movies) 📽️
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: Empire Theaters 8
Movies: Spiderman Into The Spiderverse & The Emoji Movie
Price: Free

Thursday, June 20th

Under The Big Top Vacation Bible School 😇
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 5:30 PM 
Location: First Baptist Church Bemis
Price: Free 

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Empire Theaters8 (Free Movies) 📽️
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: Empire Theaters 8
Movies: Spiderman Into The Spiderverse & The Emoji Movie
Price: Free

Friday, June 21st

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Saturday, June 22nd

Carters Nursery Pond & Patio’s Summer Pond Tour 🐠 
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
Price: $20 (Free For Kids 12 & Under)
Note: 100% of ALL ticket sales & donations go to the Jackson Animal Care Center.

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Monday, June 17th

Under The Big Top Vacation Bible School 😇
Date: Monday, June 17th
Time: 5:30 PM 
Location: First Baptist Church Bemis
Price: Free 

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉
Date: Monday, June 17th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Farkle 🎲
Date: Monday, June 17th
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Beech Bluff Recreation Center
Price: (Game & Cheeseburger Sliders for Only $8)

Tuesday, June 18th

Empire Theaters8 (Free Movies) 📽️
Date: Tuesday, June 18th
Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: Empire Theaters 8
Movies: Spiderman Into The Spiderverse & The Emoji Movie
Price: Free

Garden Buzz: The Celebration of Pollinators 🐝 
Date: Tuesday, June 18th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: West TN AgResearch and Education Center
Price: Free

Wednesday, June 19th

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Under The Big Top Vacation Bible School 😇
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 5:30 PM 
Location: First Baptist Church Bemis
Price: Free 

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉 
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Teens & Adults Arts and Crafts 🎨 
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Jackson Madison County Main Library
Price: Free 

Empire Theaters8 (Free Movies) 📽️
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: Empire Theaters 8
Movies: Spiderman Into The Spiderverse & The Emoji Movie
Price: Free

Juneteenth Afternoon Concert (Everyone Is Invited) 🎶 
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center
Price: Free (Bring Chairs & Blankets, Food Trucks On Site)

Jackson Rockabillys vs. Alton River Dragons(Baseball) ⚾️ 
Date: Wednesday, June 19th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Jackson Baseball Stadium
Price: $6 - $14 (Prices Vary Based On Seating)

Miss Volunteer America Pageant 🏆️ 
Date: Wednesday, June 19th 
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Carl Perkins Civic Center
Price: Click For Ticket Information

Thursday, June 20th

Miss Volunteer America Pageant 🏆️
Date: Thursday, June 20th 
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Carl Perkins Civic Center
Price: Click For Ticket Information

Under The Big Top Vacation Bible School 😇
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 5:30 PM 
Location: First Baptist Church Bemis
Price: Free 

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Empire Theaters8 (Free Movies) 📽️
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: Empire Theaters 8
Movies: Spiderman Into The Spiderverse & The Emoji Movie
Price: Free

Friday, June 21st

AMP Concert Series: Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces 🎸 
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM CDT
Location: The AMP
Price: Free

Dive Into New Opportunities Job Fair 🧑‍🏭 
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Manpower

Summer Solstice Sunrise Hike 🥾 
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 5:00 AM 
Location: Pinson Mounds 
Price: Free 

Miss Volunteer America Pageant 🏆️
Date: Friday, June 21st 
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Carl Perkins Civic Center
Price: Click For Ticket Information

Start The Party Vacation Bible School 🎉
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Woodland Baptist Church
Price: Free

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

A Twilight Stroll at Pinson Mounds 🥾 
Date: Friday, June 21st
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Pinson Mounds 
Price: Free 

Saturday, June 22nd

Carters Nursery Pond & Patio’s Summer Pond Tour 🐠
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
Price: $20 (Free For Kids 12 & Under)
Note: 100% of ALL ticket sales & donations go to the Jackson Animal Care Center.

Miss Volunteer America Pageant 🏆️
Date: Saturday, June 22nd 
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Carl Perkins Civic Center
Price: Click For Ticket Information

Summer Jam (Season 2) - Competitive Jam Skating 🛼
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Ritz Magic Wheels 
Price: $19.95 (1 Day Pass) - $49.95 (4 Day Pass)
Note: Free Food, 1000’s of Dollars In Gifts and Prizes.

Maximum Health & Fitness 20th Anniversary 🥳 
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Maximum Health & Fitness
Price: Free Entry (Food Trucks, Jumpers For Kids, Kona Ice, & Over $1000 In Giveaways!)

RiverCity Craft Market (One Of The Only 100% Handcrafted Markets In West Tennessee) 🎨 
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Shiloh Pieced & Present (Visit Over 50 Vendors)
Price: Free Entry (Vendor Prices Vary, Food Trucks On Site.)

Sunday, June 23rd

RiverCity Craft Market (One Of The Only 100% Handcrafted Markets In West Tennessee) 🎨 
Date: Sunday, June 23rd
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Shiloh Pieced & Present (Visit Over 50 Vendors)
Price: Free Entry (Vendor Prices Vary, Food Trucks On Site.)