Jackson Free Press

The best way to stop crime is to put children on a good path early, help strengthen their families and intervene as needed. These groups do just that in many ways.

Dress for Success
Contact: Daphne M. Higgins 601-985-9888
Visit: http://dressforsuccess.org/metrojackson
"The mission of Dress for Success Metro Jackson is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life."

Dress for Success helps disadvantaged women find, acquire and retain employment. While Dress for Success is most noted for providing clothing—a first suit for a client with a job interview and an additional one when she finds work—the professional support accompanying the suits is vital to these women's success. The metro Jackson affiliate of the international organization Dress for Success has helped more than 2,500 women throughout Mississippi.

And, thus, their children.

Youth Solutions Encounter Program
601-829-0323
Visit: http://youthsolution.net
"Helping to put the pieces back together, one youth at a time"

Juan K. Wilson founded the Youth Solutions Encounter Program and has worked with underrepresented adolescents, not only throughout Mississippi, but around the world including Cape Town, South Africa. Encounter encompasses a variety of prevention and intervention programs open to teenagers grades 5 though 12. They meet the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at the Jackson Medical Mall for activities including mentoring, motivational talks, vocal talent, teen drama, live music and character development.

Broadmeadow Books and Basketball
Contact: Nan Prince, 601-503-3968
Visit: http://broadmeadow.org
"The goal of Broadmeadow Books and Basketball is to provide a supportive study program while fostering relationships between students and volunteers as well as to encourage a fellowship among the students in order to aid them in making positive life choices."

Meeting Wednesday nights at 5:45 p.m., mentors from Broadmeadow United Methodist Church and the Jackson community eat with about 10 to 15 kids before helping them with homework. Basketball practice and competition in a local league begin in the winter, and at least one night each month involves fun activities and various speakers.

DREAM (Developing Resources for Education in America) Inc.
Contact: Lea Banks, 601-933-9191
Visit: http://dreaminc.org
"Our mission is to prevent youth substance abuse and promote healthy life styles through developing and providing effective products and services for schools, communities, and businesses."

For 30 years, DREAM has worked with disadvantaged youth in Jackson through mentoring, drug education campaigns and youth leadership development. The organization is focusing on the Hinds County Senior Transition Program, an initiative committed to transitioning Hinds County high-school seniors smoothly to work or college after graduation. Once enrolled in the program, seniors attend community volunteer-led monthly workshops on career and general life skills such as interview techniques, time management and job searching. After completing the program, students receive a certificate of completion, a portfolio and a $250 award.

Stewpot Community Services
Visit: http://stewpot.org/services_childrensprogram.html

"Faith Meeting Needs In Our Community"

Seven Jackson churches representing different denominations have been working together for 30 years in the multi-faceted outreach Stewpot Community Services. Stewpot's Neighborhood Children's Program offers an after-school program and summer camp for children and teens to provide educational help, build self-esteem and provide positive role models. Volunteers read to children, teach fine arts and help with homework, applications and resumes.

Mentoring Through Modeling
Contact: Oliver Thompson, 601-213-9109

Mentoring Through Modeling works with school age children ages 6 to 19 in Jackson and the surrounding area. It teaches children and teens etiquette such as dressing for and escorting to formal events. About three times a year, Mentoring Through Modeling provides an hour-long event on modeling, stage appearance and role-playing to JPS middle and high schools. It has worked with about 3,000 disadvantaged youth since January, providing them with not only free acting training but with a support system in person and on Facebook.

Jodi Models
Contact: Diane Singleton, 601-941-3925
Visit the Jodi Models & Productions Facebook page
"The Mission of Jodi is to provide quality training and assistance for each individual looking to get into the entertainment industry."

Jodi Models has been training hundreds of young men and women for more than 10 years. By improving self-esteem, modeling builds overall character, promotes positive attitudes and teaches life skills such as achieving goals through sustained commitment. The group organizes specific modeling and etiquette camps during the summer, incorporating professional modeling skills with logic, public speaking, general etiquette and community service. Some of Jodi Models' participants have won scholarships, pageants and moved on to work with the companies Ebony Fashion Fair and L'Oreal.

Metro Youth Initiative
Contact: Gus McCoy, 601-750-8451
Visit: http://metroyi.org
"Youth Are Our Focus ... Their Success is Our Goal"

Metro Youth Initiative focuses its work on improving literacy and education, poverty, job-skills development and alternatives to youth violence in youth ages 11 to 19. MYI collaborates resources with partners bringing unique skills and perspectives to serve the Jackson community, advocating for young people and equipping them with the tools needed to succeed. MYI owns a portable laptop van to provide ACT preparation for high school students anywhere in Jackson.

Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi
Visit: http://bgccm.org
"Our Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens."

Boys and Girls Club serves about 3,200 youth who spend nearly 750,000 hours at six metro-area clubs. The organization's website says 85 percent of those children say their club helped them know the difference between right and wrong.