Jackson Free Press

Mayor Johnson Endorses Reassurance Contact Program for Elderly and Physically Challenged Individuals. This week Mayor Johnson endorsed a very important program of CONTACT® the Crisis Line of Jackson called "Reassurance Contact". Reassurance Contact seeks to meet the special needs of people who are elderly or physically challenged and living alone by placing a regular phone call at a pre-arranged time to those individuals. The calls can serve to check on the client's well being; to affirm that someone does care by sharing a few minutes in friendly conversation; and to provide emergency follow-up. This program is free.

"This is a wonderful program," said Mayor Johnson. "Many of our elderly and physically challenged live alone. Many of them are fiercely independent, and they want to maintain their independence. They'd like to continue to live in their homes, but their relatives and friends worry about them - worry that they may fall, or become ill, and the may not be able to call for help. This program can truly be a lifesaver!"

If you or someone you know would like to become a client, have questions or would like more information, please call the Contact office at 713-4099. There are also opportunities to be trained as a volunteer.

JPD Completes Chaplain's Orientation

The Jackson Police Department completed a Chaplain's Orientation course Tuesday, September 21, 2004. Fifteen volunteer chaplains finished the two-day course.

The course was developed to help the chaplains become more familiar with the Jackson Police Department. It also addressed the duties of a police chaplain and gave the chaplains an opportunity to make recommendations on their police chaplain duties to help make them more meaningful and productive volunteers. The chaplains will soon be seen during Patrol Division Roll Calls and riding with the officers. They are a resource that may be called on during disasters, as well.

Mayor Johnson to Proclaim September 27-October 1, 2004 "Dollar Wise" Week

Mayor Johnson will proclaim next week "Dollar Wise" Week at the September 28, 2004 City Council Meeting. Dollar Wise Week recognizes works to educate citizens on the importance of financial literacy. The United States Congress has established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission to improve the financial literacy and education of citizens through the development of a national strategy to promote financial literacy education.

Locally, Jackson residents may take advantage of several opportunities to improve their financial literacy including:

Homebuyer Education/Counseling Services: A range of services through partnerships with non-profit housing and public service agencies are offered such as default counseling, foreclosure prevention, credit counseling as well as pre and post purchase counseling. For more information, call the Office of Housing and Community Development at 960-1156.

Asset-Building Coalition: Seeks to educate Jackson residents about the Earned Income Tax Credit on Federal Tax Returns and organizes Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites (VITA) to provide free income tax filing assistance.

It is estimated that in years past Jackson has lost as much as $18 million a year, because families who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fail to take advantage of it. The EITC is a refundable tax credit for people who work, but do not earn high incomes. Those who qualify can potentially receive an income tax refund (depending on circumstances of up to $4000). To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they are not otherwise required to file. For more information, please call 960-1084.

Mayor's Youth Initiative Credit Union / Financial Management Activities: The Youth Credit Initiative, housed at Hope Community Credit Union in the Jackson Medical Mall, seeks to encourage the concept of saving and money management. The program provides practical knowledge needed in helping children understand the basics of personal finance and the importance of building sound money management habits. It also provides an account for allowances, after school job income, and other sources of income to be deposited. Young people can experience pride and independence as savings grow, which will in turn develop skills necessary to become intelligent credit consumers. For more information, please call 960-2173.