The homeless shelter houses families who need help getting back on their feet. They have many children who live there who will not otherwise get Christmas presents unless someone steps up to sponsor them.

Founder, Charlotte Wingard, said they would love it if local businesses would allow them to bring little lamb cards (with gifts for the homeless children) to local businesses for people to get.

The children housed at the shelter write down some gifts that they hope to get for Christmas. You can sign up to sponsor a child so they will receive some Christmas gifts!

If you are able to help or want to sponsor a lamb or have some of the little lamb cards at your business, you can reach Charlotte at 601-906-1976.

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What is Wingard Home?

Wingard Home sits in the heart of downtown Jackson. It has been operating since 1990. It is a haven and shelter for those who need a place to stay and food to eat. This long-term transition home serves the homeless men, women, children, and families of Jackson and the surrounding area by providing safe, secure and comfortable housing in a supportive Christian environment. They also provide healthy meals, snacks, clothing, job, medical, social service referrals, and transportation.

Charlotte and her late husband Roy both overcame homelessness and made it their life’s mission to open their doors to others and give them a hand up.

This wonderful organization serves up to 60 people on any given day. Their primary goal is to get men and women on their feet and working at jobs, independent of government and community assistance.

Residents who stay here spend their days looking for work or at work or school and then come home to a place that is wholesome, clean, cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. All snacks are provided by local businesses and restaurants. They are encouraged to save their money by packing brown bag lunches and taught the value of an earned “dollar” by Biblical budgeting and financial skills to prepare them for independent living.

How does Wingard Home operate?

The nonprofit is sustained solely by private donors. Wingard Home, Inc. is a state registered, non-profit organization with tax-exempt status under IRS 501 (c)(3). They do not accept contributions from city, state, or federal government. Their work is completely contingent on the charity of individuals and foundations.

The mission of Wingard Home:

“Wingard Home is a long-term transition home for the homeless and displaced of Jackson, Mississippi and the surrounding area. We are dedicated to keeping the family unit intact. Unlike the “shelters.” Wingard Home takes a holistic approach to solve the problems of homelessness. At the Jackson Campus, we house married couples and parents with children together as part of our commitment to the family values that are so much a part of American life. Our mission is to get men, women, children and families off the streets, our of government welfare trap, and working toward independence and financial stability. We offer our residents alternatives to gang life and the drug culture and provide options to dependence on food stamps and government bail-out programs.”