We believe Jackson County residents living at or near poverty should have the chance to avoid eviction and homelessness.
Your support allows United Way of Jackson County to fund a Mediation and Eviction Diversion Program facilitated by Legal Services of South Central Michigan. This program builds positive communication between tenants and landlords, as well as basic needs assistance, educational and supportive services to help tenants address issues that led to the eviction process. Your support, plus the hard work of all those connected with this program, helped 250 people avoid homelessness last year in Jackson County. Alice’s story is just one of many:
Alice showed up to the Legal Services office on her eviction day, upset and emotional. She quickly met with a lawyer and explained her dilemma. With a history of confrontation and poor housekeeping, she was being kicked out of her apartment. Her lawyer soon determined her mental illness was at the heart of her issues. During mediation, her lawyer facilitated an open conversation, and for the first time her landlord understood. They resolved their differences, and Alice was not evicted. Instead, she was connected to mental health programs. Today, Alice is getting the help she needs, her apartment is kept, and she doesn’t fight with her neighbors. Alice is now on her pathway to stability and is going to be okay.