Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission
- searcylivingads
- Jun 23
- 6 min read
By Jennifer Webb
Photos by Searcy Living Photography
Kevin answered the knock at the door. On his doorstep stood a woman and a little girl with big green eyes, clutching her hand and looking up at him.
They looked normal enough to the average onlooker, but there were subtle signs that Kevin knew all too well. He knew exactly why they had shown up on his doorstep, unannounced. He welcomed them in.
As he led them to his office, he watched the surprised look register on the little girl’s face as she looked around. This was not what she had been expecting. It looked home-like and child-friendly. She still clung tight to her mother’s hand and remained silent during the short walk, but Kevin could see that the fear in her eyes was slowly being replaced with curiosity.
They sat down in chairs across from his desk and started the first step in the process—a brief interview. He listened to their situation, asked if she had transportation, and asked if she could pass a background check and drug test. How old was her little girl? Were there any more children?
He could hear the desperation in the mother’s voice. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, they had ended up homeless. Each story was different, and yet the same. They had been living out of her car for a few weeks, and then roaches started creeping in, relentlessly invading their last remaining “safe” space. The Mom was desperately trying to find a job, and they were on his doorstep because they had nowhere else to go. Could Jacob’s Place help?
Though the above scenario is fictional, similar stories frequently play out at Jacob’s Place. Their mission is to get people into sustainable living situations. Specifically, Jacob’s Place is for anyone who has legal custody of a child or is pregnant. So far, they’ve helped over 600 White County families get back on their feet.
They usually have a wait list and people contact them through a variety of ways--Facebook messenger, phone calls, or by showing up at the door. They are given a brief interview and have to be able to pass a background check with no history of violent crimes, no sex crimes, and no current warrants. They also have to pass a drug test.
For those who are not currently eligible for help at Jacob’s Place, they assist in finding placement in other programs. Sometimes an individual needs a domestic violence program, drug rehab, or another focus to help them be more successful. Then, they can come to Jacob’s Place.
Once drug tests and background checks come back clean and they have an opening, Kevin explains the rules of Jacob’s Place. It’s a place for them to help get back on their feet, but they have to work and do their part. It’s a hand up, not a hand out, and each family has to fulfill certain obligations.
For many of their volunteers and for Kevin, their executive director, the best part is giving a new family a tour, which ends in their own room.
Instead of metal bunkbeds, the rooms are designed to look and feel like home. The beds are made, it smells fresh and clean, and all the toiletries are there to get a shower. For kids, there is usually a small toy on the bed waiting for them. Many families tear up when they see their rooms.
They give each new family a week or so to settle in, get used to the rules, and meet the other families living at Jacob’s Place. Then, they have a deep dive interview. There is no single cookie-cutter approach to getting families back on their feet. Each situation is different and often complicated. During the deep dive interview, they ask about the past, what situations led them to homelessness, what their goals for the future are, and look at obstacles they need to overcome to get back on their feet.
Once they find out what the specific needs of the family are, they can get to work knocking barriers out of the way. The adult might need to learn to drive or might need a reliable vehicle to get to and from work. They may need help finding reliable childcare/daycare. They might need to develop skills for a job they are interested in. They might need to get a GED or attend training classes. Though each situation is different, Jacob’s Place aims to get each family back on its feet in approximately 90 days.
“Jacob’s place is comforting, but not enabling. We are there to comfort someone in a really bad situation. The kids are safe and free to be themselves and to recover from trauma. But we are also not enabling. We have expectations for our families. The program is designed to meet the families where they are at. The combination of those factors is why it’s so successful.”
- Kevin Boyce, Executive Director, Jacob’s Place
One of Jacob’s Place’s other priorities is making sure the children of Jacob’s Place never feel like they are homeless. They don’t want them to feel that their lives are significantly different from the other kids they go to school with. They try to provide them with all the opportunities that any other kids have. If they need cleats for football, Jacob’s Place does its best to provide those. If they want to try out for the tennis team, then Jacob’s Place will get them the racket and the tennis shoes to try out. They may not make the team, but they believe each child needs the opportunity to try. That’s why each family gets their own room with their own fridge and cabinet. They want to keep dignity and unity within the family.
“The reviews that mean the most to us come from the kids. When parents are out late at night, or when a child gets tired and asks, ‘Can we go home?’ and they are talking about Jacob’s Place . . . that’s our best review. That’s the review that we’re looking for.”
- Kevin Boyce, Executive Director, Jacob’s Place
The parents of Jacob’s Place attend parenting classes, as well as classes on resume building and interview skills. For that to happen, Jacob’s Place is always in need of volunteers. Volunteers cook meals, entertain kids, teach, and perform many other functions. If you want to volunteer at Jacob’s Place, they have a spot for you.
Currently, they have one location that can house six families and are in need of more room. They are currently very interested in taking a donation of an additional house to help more families. There is almost always a waiting list. Sometimes, families’ circumstances change quickly, so they always encourage anyone who needs them to reach out.
If you’d like to volunteer at Jacob’s Place, donate, or just learn more, check out their Facebook page (Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission) or visit their website at jacobsplace.org/
Hopeful, Stronger, And More Determined
By Destiny Shadell
In August of last year, my world fell apart. I was in a car accident that shattered my pelvis and left me in a wheelchair for months. Before that day, I had a steady life. I had a car, a home, and a small cleaning business I worked hard to build. I was proud of what I’d created for me and my daughter. But after the wreck, everything slipped through my fingers. I lost my income, my independence, and eventually, the roof over our heads.
When I first heard the word “shelter,” I was scared. I pictured a cold, crowded space full of strangers and struggle. I felt ashamed, like I had failed my four-year-old daughter.
But when we arrived at Jacob’s Place, everything I feared was replaced with peace. From the outside, it looks like a big house. On the inside, it’s warm, calm, and filled with kindness. We have our own room, our own beds. We share a kitchen with one other family, but it doesn’t feel like sharing, it feels like community. My daughter has made friends here. She laughs, and she plays.
In the beginning, I didn’t know what to call it. I used to say, “We’re going back to the shelter.” But now I say, “We’re going home.” Because it is home. Not just a place to sleep but a place to rest, to breathe, to heal.
Jacob’s Place has helped me put the pieces of my life back together. With my tax refund, I was able to buy a car again and slowly start rebuilding my cleaning business. But the real gift has been the structure and support they provide. They believe in preparing you for long-term success. They ask that 60% of any income earned while here goes into a savings account, so when you’re ready to leave, you’re not just starting over, you’re stepping into stability.
They don’t just give you a place to stay. They help you dream again. They remind you that your story isn’t over just because you hit a hard chapter. I came here feeling broken and unsure. Now, I feel hopeful, stronger, and more determined for me and for my daughter.
Jacob’s Place gave us more than shelter. They gave us the space to become whole again.
-Destiny Shadell
Read the full issue below.
