City of Jackson Emergency Shelter Plan for Freezing Weather Days
The City of Jackson, in partnership with Tennessee Homeless Solutions, First United Methodist Church, RIFA, and West Tennessee Healthcare Hope & Healing Foundation, will extend emergency services to provide a Temporary Warming Center for homeless men, women, and children during freezing weather, beginning Sunday night, January 19, 2025, and continuing through Wednesday night, January 22, 2025. The following plan has been devised to provide shelter for those seeking aid.
Temporary Warming Center Location
First United Methodist Church Mission Center (200 S. Church St., Jackson, TN)
Individuals seeking shelter should arrive at the church by 5:00 PM. Service animals are permitted to accompany those seeking shelter.
Supplies
The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department will provide cots, with an estimated maximum capacity of 30 at the FUMC Mission Center. Dinner will be provided by RIFA in coordination with FUMC and other area churches.
Material and Monetary Donations
The community is encouraged to donate the following items:
- Blankets, towels, and toiletries (high demand)
- T-shirts, sweatpants, socks, and coats
Donations can be dropped off at the FUMC Mission Center. Monetary donations will be accepted at the West Tennessee Healthcare Hope & Healing Foundation for this and future emergency response needs. You can donate here: West Tennessee Healthcare Community Shelter Donation.
Quarterly Homeless Street Outreach
The quarterly homeless street outreach and annual Point-in-Time Count of the homeless will be conducted together on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, beginning at the Regional InterFaith Association (RIFA) in Jackson.
Agencies will meet at 7:30 AM at RIFA and conduct outreach during breakfast and lunch. Intakes and housing assessments will be performed by local agencies. While conducting outreach, agencies will also count the unsheltered homeless throughout Madison County. The day is expected to conclude by 2:00 PM. West Tennessee Legal Services and Pathways Behavioral Health Services will have their mobile units available for counseling, primary care, and mental health assessments.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Vicki Lake at vicki.lake@wth.org or (731) 984-2160.
