At Jamieson Community Center, the work has always centered on one guiding belief that people can fulfill their potential when they have the right support.
Through a grant from the Hunger Collaborative, Jamieson Community Center has been able to hire a Resource Coordinator for their Community Connections Program, to serve as a contact person for individuals and families needing connection to resources for support in the Warren and Henderson Counties.
Jamieson Community Center serves residents across Warren and Henderson Counties through a wide range of programs designed to address food security and daily needs.
“Many of the people we serve are starting from survival mode,” Commented Nancy Mowen, Executive Director of Jamieson Community Center. “When basic needs aren’t met, it’s difficult to know where to start. The Resource Coordinator role is about helping people find that starting point and then staying with them.”
Tre Spinks, the Resource Coordinator, serves as a central point of contact for individuals seeking assistance through Jamieson’s programs or through referrals from partner agencies, landlords, and community organizations. After completing an intake process, participants work one-on-one with Spinks to identify immediate needs, connect with appropriate resources, and set both short-and long-term goals.
Unlike one-time assistance, the Community Connections program emphasizes ongoing relations. Spinks provides regular check-ins, accountability, and life-skills assessments, remaining engaged for as long as individuals need support.
“Sometimes just having someone who listens and believes you can move forward makes all the difference,” Spinks said. “When people know they’re not doing this alone, they’re more likely to keep taking those next steps.”
Since the Community Connections program launched, Spinks has already helped individuals secure employment, connect to housing resources, and stabilize their situations. In one case, an individual who had been unemployed for a year was able to find work after receiving help with resume development and workforce connections. In another, two young adults experiencing homelessness were connected to housing and employment.
This work directly aligns with the mission of the Hunger Collaborative, a partnership of more than 30 nonprofits convened by Galesburg Community Foundation to address hunger by tackling its root causes. By funding a resource coordinator at Jamieson Community Center, the Collaborative is addressing issues that often lead to food insecurity, including limited access to services, workforce challenges, housing instability, and transportation barriers.
The Resource Coordinator role is still in its early stages, but Jamieson Community Center sees significant potential for growth and long-term impact. With continued collaboration and community support, the program is positioned to strengthen not only individual lives, but the community as a whole.
To learn more about the Hunger Collaborative and how it supports initiatives like Jamieson Community Center’s Community Connections Resource Coordinator, visit yourgcf.org/hungercollaborative.
To learn more or support Jamieson Community Center visit www.jamiesoncommunitycenter.org.
