Hattiesburg Homeless Get Help from The Fieldhouse and $28K in Partnership Grants

HATTIESBURG, Miss., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Volunteers at The Fieldhouse for the Homeless in Hattiesburg, Mississippi are, in their words, "on the front lines of hopelessness and despair." They turn that despair, however, into hope, one person at a time. Since its inception in September 2013 by cofounders Cynthia Young and Priscilla Brown, the nonprofit has helped more than 350 people get identification cards, more than 300 people find housing, and 250 people find jobs.

The efforts of The Fieldhouse, which is funded entirely by donations, were recognized last week by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), in partnership with seven of its member financial institutions, through the presentation of a $28,000 Partnership Grant Program award.

Participating banks included The First - A National Banking Association, Citizens National Bank of Meridian, Magnolia State Bank, Priority One Bank, Citizens Bank, Trustmark National Bank, and BancorpSouth Bank. The Fieldhouse plans to use the PGP award for operating expenses, as well as to fund the cost of a grant writer, who will be helpful when applying for major grants.

"Our mission is to give people a hand up, not a hand out," said Ms. Young, cofounder and director of The Fieldhouse. "I grew up in a family of 11 kids, and my mama would always help the homeless. We never had much money; we mostly just shared love. When we saw someone along the road who needed help, we stopped to see what we could do to help them."

The cofounders quickly outgrew Ms. Young's home, the original location of their outreach. Today, the Christian ministry is located at 5712 Hwy. 49 South in Hattiesburg.

Ms. Young and Ms. Brown turned to Jerome Brown, senior vice president and director of community development for The First - A National Banking Association. Mr. Brown said he and The First could help The Fieldhouse through a PGP grant, awarded by FHLB Dallas. "The First is very excited to be a part of the growth of this new nonprofit," said Mr. Brown, who contacted other local banks to encourage their support of The Fieldhouse.

"Every bank we approached by phone or visited said 'yes' to our request for a grant," said Ms. Young.

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree acknowledged the joint efforts of financial institutions working with The Fieldhouse. "It is great to see banking institutions join in a collective effort to address homelessness in the Hattiesburg community. I applaud these efforts," Mayor DuPree said.

Through the PGP, FHLB Dallas awards partnership grants through its member institutions, to provide funding for the operational needs of community-based organizations involved in affordable housing and economic development. FHLB Dallas matches a member's cash contribution to a community-based organization of $500 up to $5,000 at a 3:1 ratio. Through its member institutions, FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in partnership grants in 2014.

The Fieldhouse receives donations but is always in need of capital for operating expenses to continue its mission. "We supply people with furniture, household items, cleaning supplies —anything they need to get started in their new homes," said Ms. Brown, cofounder of The Fieldhouse.

"This exciting new endeavor is providing many needed services to homeless, and hopefully, our gift will assist these folks in getting their lives back on track," said W. Holt McMullan, Trustmark National Bank's southern region president.

Those helped by The Fieldhouse include families and individuals like Stephanie, a registered nurse from Meridian, Mississippi, whose disability after a car accident forced her into homelessness. "They took me under their wing," she said. Because of The Fieldhouse, "I feel like I am not a burden to society, and I have a purpose now. They are a blessing to me." She said she is hoping to heal, so that she can return to nursing — her passion.

Lee Fedric, CEO of Citizens Bank, said that it is part of Citizens Bank's mission to serve the communities where his institution is located. "It is truly a blessing to us to see our contribution leveraged with a 3-to-1 match to benefit such a worthy cause," he said.

The Fieldhouse has a day center with a locker room, showers, computer services, and laundry facilities. Clients receive assistance with housing, basic educational services, and referrals to service agencies.  

BancorpSouth Division President Ted Webb said his institution understands and supports the mission of The Fieldhouse. "BancorpSouth began some 140 years ago with an approach built on longevity and the simple idea that neighbor should help neighbors," he said. "These values are intrinsic to The Fieldhouse. We are honored to support them."

Marcus Robinson, president of Magnolia State Bank, said that there are a number of steps required to move from homelessness to independent living. "By having The Fieldhouse in our community, many of those steps just got easier," he said.

Clients of The Fieldhouse 'pay it forward' by working at the nonprofit:  cooking, answering phones, and doing construction, for example. Ms. Young and Ms. Brown said they believe that if you invest something in where you go, you will appreciate it more.

"PriorityOne Bank concurs with the mission statement of The Fieldhouse:  "To make homelessness a season of life and not a way of life,'" said Willie Macko, president of PriorityOne Bank. "We are very glad we had the opportunity to assist through the FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program."

How clients are helped is based on their individual needs. One single mother, named Toni, came to The Fieldhouse with her three young children. Volunteers helped her secure an apartment and needed household items, as well as obtaining the disability payments for which she qualified. "Life has changed. I am doing better, and I am very blessed," she said. "[The Fieldhouse staff and volunteers] helped us a lot. They care a lot about people, and they feel like family."

FHLB Dallas sets asides a portion of its profits annually for housing and economic development. "We are very pleased to support The Fieldhouse in its on-the-ground efforts to give the homeless hope and dignity as they work to improve their lives," said Greg Hettrick, vice president and director of community investment, FHLB Dallas.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $33.6 billion as of June 30, 2014, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.

Contact:
Corporate Communications
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
www.fhlb.com
(214) 441-8445

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SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas