Jackson Free Press

Cathy Funches is driven to aid the less fortunate to find their way to a better quality of life.

Funches has participated in many mission trips to developing countries. Just last year, she traveled to Bolivia to provide assistance to an orphanage. She realized, however, that her passion for helping the oppressed could be fulfilled at home.

"I wanted to help all who are less fortunate," Funches says. "It became my mission to advocate those types of issues (in Jackson)--to give a voice to those who do not have one."

Funches, a Jackson native, graduated from Provine High School in 1977. She earned an associates degree from Phillips Junior College in Jackson and worked for Allstate Insurance. Returning to school many years later, she earned a bachelor of arts in biblical studies with an emphasis in missions at Belhaven University in 2002. She became an ordained minister in 2003.

Funches, who was looking for a way to bring her mission work to Mississippi, became active in the lives of Jackson's homeless people. She worked at Stewpot Community Services for four years before the city of Jackson hired her as its homeless program coordinator in December 2010. There, she partners with Jackson's non-profit agencies and serves as the liaison between those in need and the program providers that can address and aid them.

"We are part of what we call the continuum of care--a conglomerate of agencies who work together," Funches says.

"We are a resource to connect people with what they need."

The 52-year-old refers Jackson's homeless people to one of a variety of programs after assessing their individual needs. Each of these programs is designed to address the participants' immediate requirements while taking the necessary steps to get them ready to enter the job market and find a home. Funches partners with at least 25 non-profit service agencies and programs in Jackson, which include mental-illness assistance, drug and alcohol treatment, shelters, food services and job opportunity assistance. She makes at least 10 referrals each day.

Recently, Funchess headed a program called the Jackson Transitional Homeless Program, assisting participants in building their resumes and preparing for employment. Then, each participant was partnered with various local non-profit businesses as employees. Cases such as these fuel Funches' drive to help the homeless and downtrodden.

Funches lives in Heritage Hills in south Jackson with her husband, Freddie. Together they have five grown children.

For more information on Jackson's programs for homeless people or to connect with an agency that provides services to homeless people, call the City of Jackson at 601-960-1489.