Jackson Free Press

Sept. 22, 2011

When Mary Thompson can help a woman get back into permanent housing and find stability, she knows she has done her job.

Thompson, Stewpot Community Services women's services director, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Stewpot's women's shelter. The nonprofit has an emergency shelter for women as well as a transitional shelter. Stewpot also operates the Billy Brumfield House, a shelter that can hold up to 50 men per night. In addition to the shelters, Stewpot also offers transitional services, job placement, meals and transportation to homeless men and women in the area.

"When I can see a women remain in her house, keep her job and (keep) her children in school and when she calls back and says she wants to help other women (at the shelter), it just makes my day," Thompson says.

As part of the city of Jackson's fifth annual Project Homeless Connect Week, Stewpot will host an art show this afternoon featuring art made by homeless men and women. Art will be available for purchase, and all proceeds go to Stewpot. Project Homeless Connect Week continues through tomorrow with a homeless conference at Galloway United Methodist Church.

Thompson, a Jackson native, says that finding funding is always a challenge. She says that many women come to Stewpot because they have a difficult time finding affordable housing and keeping up with their bills and child care.

"We need to help the community, and a lot of times, we run into not having enough beds, not being able to help them get medicine, supplies or different things (homeless women) need," She says.

Thompson, 50, is a graduate of Tougaloo College with a bachelor's degree is sociology. She previously worked as a caseworker for the Mississippi Department of Human Services. She has worked at Stewpot for 18 years.

Attend the art show from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stewpot Community Services (1100 West Capitol St.) and the city's homeless conference Sept. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Galloway United Methodist Church (305 N. Congress St.) The conference is free and open to the public.