Nonprofit looks to transform former Jackson school into community hub

By Aaron Lampley | Originally published by Mississippi Today

A nonprofit that purchased a former elementary school in south Jackson is aiming to raise more than $8 million to turn the building into a “resiliency hub.”

The hub – which will cost around $10 million in total – aims to serve as a central location for access to resources the city lacks, leaders of the nonprofit say. 

Plans for the building include a community kitchen, recreational facilities, health clinics, and workforce development classes. Additionally, the building will house shelters for both families and individuals in need after emergency incidents such as Winter Storm Fern. 

“In some of these Jackson neighborhoods, or in Jackson period, there is not a central location for resources,” said One Voice Director of Strategic Initiatives Jhai Keeton. “That was brought to light during the water crisis and during COVID specifically.” 

One Voice, an organization that aims to help underrepresented communities across the South, has raised just over $1 million through various grants. The organization still needs $8.64 million to reach its goal of $9.64 million to fund project completion, which will be built out in three phases.

The first phase of the project will focus on restoration and basic repairs to the cafeteria and auditorium of the former school building. The second phase will include construction of community spaces such as health clinics, offices and other community initiatives. 

The final phase will be split into two, mirroring two different styles of shelters. The first will be individual shelters with a dormitory-style layout, separating the men’s and women’s rooms. The second will consist of  “family-style” shelters. These facilities will house upwards of 120 individuals, with the goal of keeping people together in emergency situations, One Voice Executive Director Nsombi Lambright-Haynes told Mississippi Today. 

Lambright said the emergency shelters are an important part of the resiliency hub.

“It’s a little unique because most resilience hubs do not have shelters,” Lambright said. “When people come here from New Orleans or Texas or even when we’re in crisis here in Hinds County, we have to go to hotels. The hotels are just not good options for people to stay long term.”

The bulk of the $1 million raised so far for the project came from a grant the group secured in 2024 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The money helped acquire Marshall Elementary as well as pay for predevelopment work including assessments, permitting and basic construction.

Meshie Knight, director of the Racial Justice Initiative at The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, said the organization is proud to support One Voice.

“In addition to being a place to turn to in times of crisis, The Marshall Elementary Resiliency Hub will be a space where families come together every day for education, essential services, and enrichment – where families and neighbors can build resilience and strengthen the fabric of their community for years to come,” Knight said in a statement.

New York-based Bloomberg Philanthropies also awarded $75,000 toward the project.

Johnny Byrd,  vice president of the Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods, said he believes the redevelopment of Marshall Elementary is a great idea.

“This is the right thing to do.
I’ve seen their blueprints in their vision for what they’re doing. It makes sense,” Byrd said. 

While the proposed hub would be a new venture for the city of Jackson, it’s not the first for Mississippi. Several organizations and cities have similar community centers.

The United Way of West Central Mississippi also has a community hub in Vicksburg, providing resources such as housing assistance, health and child care, nutrition and crisis intervention. 

Marshall Elementary is one of 13 schools recently closed in the Jackson Public School District as a result of reduced student enrollment. The number of school closures has risen to 17 as of March, according to the district.

Lambright said the organization plans to host an open house after renovation and basic maintenance repairs are finalized. There’s no definitive timeline for completion of the project, however, and it will depend on the group’s fundraising success, she said. 

“But we have goals. We hope to have everything open by 2030.”

Editor’s note: Mississippi Today has been a recipient of grant support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Donors have no influence or control over editorial decisions.

This article was originally published by Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Source: Original Article