Living Jackson Magazine :: The Ark of Jackson County

The Ark of Jackson County

Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Times of Need

By P. Anne Fulgham
Photos by Joshua T. Barnett

True emergencies call for good neighbors, and that’s the mission of The Ark of Jackson County Inc., a 12-year-old nonprofit that helps Jackson residents in need. Spearheaded by the Rev. John Homer, former pastor of Jefferson Presbyterian Church, and Avis Gurley, the group began as a response to citizens’ financial needs.

“We’re here to help people in true financial emergencies, like keeping their utilities from being cut off, or paying for a rent payment or medicine,” says Carolyn Townes, director of The Ark and one of the group’s first members. “Since we came into being in January 1996, we’ve helped 4,097 separate neighbors at least once. We call them Neighbors, with a capital ‘N,’ because that’s what they are¾our neighbors.”

The program started out as a once-a-week, two-hour session in the fellowship hall at Jefferson Presbyterian Church. Each Monday, a handful of volunteers who had been trained at The Ark in Athens met with neighbors who brought in unpaid utility bills, past-due rent statements or other documentable needs.

“I interviewed the second neighbor who came to us in 1996,” says Townes, who was one of about 15 original volunteers for The Ark. Today, the organization is open three days a week—Monday, Wednesday and Friday—from 9 to 11 a.m. “We’re seeing more people now than we ever have.” Volunteers first ask basic intake questions; then the neighbor is interviewed in more depth by another trained volunteer about his or her particular need. Townes and her staff of volunteers ensure that each need is genuine.

“Every emergency need must be verified,” she says. “We ask to see the bill and also proof that the person making the request is the one who needs the help. We give funds for true life essentials, but we don’t pay credit card bills or the like. Our decisions are based on individual circumstances and every emergency is different.”

The Ark is busy all year-round. “People have emergency financial needs all year long, not just during the holidays,” Townes says. “They know we’re here to help them, but we also have many resources to refer them, such as the First Baptist Food Bank and the Banks-Jackson Food Bank in Commerce, plus dozens of other agencies and resources that can provide them with the type of help we cannot.”

Additionally, if a neighbor brings in a bill that exceeds The Ark’s support capabilities, the staff asks that the neighbor first demonstrate the availability of the balance of the funds needed. Then he or she can come back to The Ark, proof in hand, to receive the balance.

Having a reliable group of volunteers is essential to The Ark’s success. New volunteer Jerrye Purcell began her training after the first of the year. Already active in the community with the First Baptist Food Bank, she was seeking another outlet to help the community.

“It’s such a worthwhile thing to help people less fortunate,” Purcell says. “Showing them compassion is a wonderful way to give back to the community.”

In addition to volunteers, The Ark depends on donations. Donations made to The Ark, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, are tax deductible. The organization is supported by funds from Jackson EMC’s Operation Roundup Foundation, the Florida-based Thomas H. Maren Foundation, area churches, businesses and individual gifts. Since its inception, it has received nearly $450,000 to assist residents of Jackson County.

“Volunteers and donations are important to us and our neighbors,” Townes says. “Of course, we can always use more of both. The more money we have, the more people we can help. We like to help people who are trying to help themselves.

P. Anne Fulgham is a freelance writer living in Flowery Branch.

How You Can Help

Call the Ark to day to learn how you can become involved

706-367-8365