Hinds Community College employees provided helping hands to 14 nonprofits during Hinds CARES Day, supporting community efforts to serve the hungry and the homeless, cancer patients and their families, the elderly, children in need and more.
At Ever Reaching Community Outreach in Pelahatchie, Hinds Dean of Nursing Joetta Chandlee organized donated clothing items the organization’s clients can select from for no charge.
Dean of Nursing Joetta Chandlee organizes clothing during Hinds CARES day at Ever Reaching Community Outreach in Pelahatchie, which provides clothing, food, baby items, housewares, hope and support to those in need.
“Community service through Hinds means more than giving time – it means giving hope,” Chandlee said during the March 27 annual volunteer day. “Serving the people of Pelahatchie reflects a shared mission of lifting others, strengthening connections and building a community where everyone feels supported, valued and empowered.”
The 290 volunteers fanned out across the region – from Byram and Brandon to Jackson, Utica and Vicksburg.
Jeremy Holmes, Utica Campus Fab Lab Technician, brushes a fresh coat of purple nail polish onto the tips of a Riggs Manor Retirement Home resident. It was Holmes’ first time painting nails.
Utica Campus Fab Lab Technician Jeremy Holmes may have learned a new skill as he volunteered at Riggs Manor Retirement Home in Raymond: Fingernail painting.
“I think I found my life’s calling,” Holmes joked as he smoothed bright purple polish onto the nails of a Riggs Manor resident.
While Holmes provided a manicure, other Hinds volunteers enjoyed mingling with residents, chatting and visiting.
Anna Richardson, Facility Uses Office Manager, visits with a resident at Raymond’s Riggs Manor Retirement Home.
Team Leader Joy Rhodes, a history instructor on the Rankin Campus, said the day was an opportunity to give back while bonding with co-workers.
“Hinds CARES Day is an opportunity to foster relationships among us and with the communities we serve. Service should be productive and meaningful, and I think we achieve that through Hinds CARES,” Rhodes said.
Lydia Kazery, Women’s Soccer Coach, was among a group cleaning up the grounds at Buried Treasures in Byram.
Buried Treasures residential facility in Byram at first glance appears to be a wooded summer camp for kids with a pond, cabins, central kitchen and grassy areas for sports or just walking in contemplation.
However, the rustic, off-the-beaten-path facility is home to formerly incarcerated women in need of a place to transition to new lives.
“Our main focus is getting them ready to go back to society,” said Co-Director Robin Sanders.
Before Hinds volunteers began working, they listened to residents’ sometimes heart-rending stories.
“My first week here I thought I was going to get kicked out, not because of anything I did but because of my past. But they loved me through it,” said Megan, a resident.
Volunteers sorted clothes by size and raked the leaves and sticks under the trees near residents’ cabins.
“I have volunteered in the past. I just never knew this place had volunteers. It was a perfect fit. I was very impressed. This will not be my last visit,” said Nicole Davis, Utica Campus Student Support Services Math Tutor.
At Shower Power in Jackson, where every Friday people experiencing homelessness can take a shower, eat breakfast and receive help with community resources, mom Queen Newsome, 21, and her sons, Quemarius, 5, and Quincey, 3, hung out with volunteers. Newsome was working with Shower Power to obtain IDs for her self and her sons.
At Shower Power in Jackson, volunteers served Styrofoam cups of hot coffee to dozens of people struggling with homelessness as they waited outside for a turn to get clean in a mobile shower unit – a food truck-like vehicle retrofitted with two separate shower units. The nonprofit provides essential hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness as well as meals, clothing, blankets, a bed during weather emergencies, peer support and even dog food and leashes for clients with canines.
In addition to waiting for showers, Queen Newsome, 21, was there to apply for identification cards for herself and her sons, Quincey, 3, and Quemarius, 5, who was carrying around a stack of books for grownups almost half his size.
Quemarius is old enough to be in school but he doesn’t have a Social Security number. He said he likes books.
Volunteers Shakira Cain, left, and Gary Fox help clean up Pearl Park on Hinds CARES Day.
Executive Director Nick Spradley said the nonprofit couldn’t provide the level of help it does without volunteers.
“Everything is free here and we are completely funded by private donations,” Spradley said. “We would not be able to help as many as we do without people coming to volunteer their time.”
Nursing Allied Health Surgical Tech Instructor Kim Evans said she loves to volunteer and often works with the homeless on her own time. It was her first time at Shower Power.
“I want to be love,” Evans said, quoting the Shower Power motto. “This so sweet. I definitely want to come back.”
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With six campuses in central Mississippi, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.
Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.
Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.
Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.
To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.