SENIOR SCENE | Who, what, and why

OPINION

Janie Smith - Submitted photo
Janie Smith - Submitted photo

I was recently giving a presentation at a local club about who we serve at Jackson House. There are many perceptions as to whom that might be. In reality, all people are affected by inflation, job changes, illnesses, accidents, costs of children and their needs, medications, additions to the household, etc.

Basically, as with anyone, do you have savings for surprises? Are you living paycheck to paycheck?

Currently, the national savings rate is 4.4%, meaning very few people have any savings at all. Unfortunately, to use a common saying, "Life Happens." With families spread far and wide, fewer people having church families, and neighbors that don't know each other, who do you ask for help when you're in a crisis?

Jackson House is there to be a stopgap for people about to fall off the cliff. Studies show that once you lose your footing it may take years for you to get back on your feet, if ever. It's more expensive to try to climb back out, for the community as well as the individual, once they fall over.

New numbers show a big jump in families with children and the elderly becoming homeless. That costs incredible amounts of money to try to fix, whereas keeping them in their homes is better for their health and future.

Join with us as we make the journey with people in need. With a little from each of us, we can keep people fed, clothed, taking their medicines, housed, and productive members of society right here in our own town. We can be proud for what we can accomplish together for our neighbors in crisis.

See http://www.jacksonhouse.org or call 501-623-4048. Donate, take a tour, volunteer, leave a legacy. "Every Item, Every Dollar, Every Person, Counts."

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