Survey fails to turn up any homeless in town
Reverend thanks police for assisting in Jackson effort
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Jackson

JACKSON - A recent effort to determine how many, if any, homeless people live in Jackson has revealed that none could be found.

"The Hope of Glory Worship Center worked hand in hand with the Jackson Police Department to locate and survey any homeless residents within the township limits," the Rev. Christopher D. Soleberry said. "We worked specifically with Sgt. Ed Bennett, who did a fantastic job coordinating the police officers in looking for the homeless on their daily patrols of Jackson. We also worked closely with Capt. David Newman and several other officers."

Soleberry said he was told that last year there were three homeless people who could be identified. Two of those individuals had apparently left Jackson by the time the survey was conducted on Jan. 25. The third individual has started receiving benefits and no longer meets the criteria to be considered homeless.

Soleberry said his congregants surveyed mobile home parks and drove through town looking in wooded areas, but they did not locate any homeless individuals.

"We feel confident in saying at the conclusion of the survey that Jackson did not have any homeless residents we could locate, and we tried awfully hard," he said. "Our people were taking shifts walking around in the trailer parks and we spoke to the Jackson emergency rescue squads who may have had insight into the wooded areas. They confirmed to us that they did not know anyone who was out there.

"The police department, particularly Capt. Newman, was very cooperative, [helping us to] track down these people. They did answer the call and tried to help us as best as they could."

Soleberry said one of the three Jack-son residents who had been homeless is now living in a trailer, has electricity, food and water and is getting a monthly Social Security disability check.

"He's doing fine. He's not homeless [anymore]. He's very proud and was glad to be surveyed to let us know that he is OK," Soleberry said, adding that the Hope of Glory Worship Center will continue to communicate with police in order to provide assistance to anyone who may be in need. "We will be speaking with Sgt. Bennett or Capt. Newman at least once a month to discuss the needs of the community and ways we can jointly impact Jackson residents when they are in need."

The fact that no homeless residents were found in the community is something all Jackson residents should rejoice in, Soleberry said.

"It was personally refreshing to see the church and police department working hand in hand in this endeavor," he said. "The Hope of Glory Worship Center will continue its outreach mission to touch the residents of Jackson, to do whatever we can to change their lives positively and bring hope to those that are under the radar emotionally, economically and spiritually in our community. We thank those that have come along with us on this mission."