Providing temporary emergency housing for over 40 years.
MISSION
Seeking to put God's love into action, Jackson Interfaith Shelter provides temporary shelter and other essential resources to people experiencing homelessness or poverty.
CORE VALUES
Love: We are called by God to respond with love, compassion, patience, and tangible assistance to people experiencing homelessness and other major life challenges.
Dignity: We believe in the inherent worth of all people and serve everyone with dignity and respect.
Hope: We offer hope and empowerment, working arm in arm with people experiencing homelessness to address their current circumstances and build a path to a healthier future.
Stewardship: We will be good stewards of all financial and other resources entrusted to us.
Partnership: We welcome and rely upon volunteers, community partners, and supporters from all backgrounds.
Excellence: We strive for excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement in our work.
VISION
Jackson will be a community where everyone has access to decent, affordable housing, and where resources needed to prevent or resolve homelessness will be available to all.
WHO WE ARE
The Jackson Interfaith Shelter is a Michigan non-profit organization whose mission is working with people experiencing homelessness by providing emergency shelter, prepared meals and assisting with other physical, emotional and spiritual needs when possible. We provide three meals daily to clients as well as community members who present a need. We have 76 beds for men, women and families.
We are a low-barrier shelter, with the goal of helping those experiencing homelessness work toward securing housing as quickly as possible. Wake up time is 7am and the curfew is 8pm. We encourage employment, and late passes are provided for individuals who are employed. Individuals staying at the shelter must be 18 years of age or older, with the exception of minors staying with at least one parent.
The Jackson Interfaith Shelter is governed by a Board of Directors as well as a Chief Executive Officer (Steve Castle) and his leadership team who oversee all staff members, provide client advocacy and manage rental units near shelter property.
OUR ROOTS & FAITH FOUNDATION
Jackson Interfaith Shelter opened in 1974 as a Christian organization based on biblical principles with a goal of serving men experiencing homelessness due to chronic alcoholism. It was founded by Beverly Garges, a devout Roman Catholic, and a variety of other faithful individuals and religious organizations. For more than four decades we have been supported and encouraged by area churches, and by other community partners, both religious and secular. Our primary focus has been helping members of our community who are experiencing homelessness, assisting them with their physical, mental, and spiritual needs, and working with them to obtain decent, affordable housing. Today our faith foundation remains the same, and we have broadened our services to include men, women, and families.
OUR CLIENTS
Our clients are expected to be able to live independently, while understanding, and respecting the ever-changing community living atmosphere the shelter emulates. There is no fee to reside at the shelter.
Clients are welcomed and referred to several agencies depending on their need. In efforts to quickly locate positive housing, clients receive advocacy in identifying goals and reducing barriers. Through education, clients are encouraged to be proactive in helping to eliminate future homeless episodes. For more information about staying at the shelter, click here.
Jamie is retired and lives her life as the primary caregiver for her severely mentally impaired, wheelchair-bound adult grandson, Chris. A homeless shelter is a place Jamie never imagined herself ending up. There were many days of heartache and discouragement as she worked to secure housing with a wheelchair ramp and ADA facilities to accommodate Chris. Our staff was humbled witnessing the love and care she poured into Chris as well as the other shelter clients during her time with us. We invite you to watch this video and hear more of their story!
“I stayed in Jackson Interfaith Shelter for two months in 2021. When my fate took me there, I refused to take any assistance or help from anyone from my community or even my family. I let go of all my material connection with everyone in this world and went to stay in the heart of Jackson with -$124 in my bank account. When I thought I had reached my rock bottom—I was staying with individuals that I had no prior connection with, who are often presumed as ‘good-for-nothing’—only then did I feel the genuine connection all the human beings share with each other: Love, a universal language. Out of all the species, only human beings are capable of communicating in this soul language. Out of all the places, at the Interfaith Shelter I felt a sense of belongingness to a community, to a culture, to a nation, and to the greater humanity.
I am thankful to Jackson Interfaith Shelter. I am proud to say that I stayed there and I was a volunteer there. I am thankful to the staff for unconditional love. I love the work they do for the community.”
-Nishat, Former Jackson Interfaith Shelter Client
“After six months of living at Jackson Interfaith Shelter waiting for a new home, I’ve just recently moved into my new apartment! I am so grateful for the dedication and love I was shown everyday by the staff who helped to transition me into my beautiful new apartment. During my whole stay, and especially during the Covid-19 crisis, the entire staff worked tirelessly to make sure every client was safe – to the point of moving many clients into hotels and sterilizing the entire shelter.
I can’t say enough about how much love I have for each and every staff member. They treated me with kindness, love and compassion every day.”
-Roni, Former Jackson Interfaith Shelter Client