JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Family Promise of Jacksonville is teaching community members about the challenges faced by the homeless population.
The organization uses the 13th Annual Cardboard City event to raise awareness about the growing issue.
Dozens of people are spending the night on the lawn either in tents or cardboard boxes Friday night at Lakewood Church.
Jasmine Jackson said the non-profit saved her family from homelessness last September after her husband walked out, leaving her with a 14-year-old, 8-year-old and 5-year-old.
The loss of income put Jackson and her kids in a scary situation.
"I was parked outside of a sleep-in,” Jackson said. “Didn't even have enough money that weekend after Door Dashing to even afford a stay in the hotel. I found myself having to sleep in my car with my babies."
A clerk at the hotel told Jackson to call Family Promise.
“I dialed the number, and that was the change of everything," Jackson said.
The family is back on their feet, and she knows just how lucky she is.
In its 2023 report, the organization Changing Homelessness says there are more than 1200 people in Jacksonville still affected by not having permanent housing
Family Promise of Jacksonville Associate Director Beth Mixson said the idea of Cardboard City is to show people how difficult it can be for homeless individuals to get shelter, food, education, employment and a roof over their head.
"We hope that people will walk away and think ‘This could happen to me, and if it did, what would I do?’" Mixson said.
Rent in Jacksonville has increased by 22 percent since 2020, according to Mixson.
She said to avoid homelessness, people need sustainable employment and affordable housing.
"We have, many years, had families in our shelters that were working and it’s just they could not afford the housing options that they had," Mixson said.
Jackson said she will always be grateful for how Family Promise helped her.
"There is hope if you are going through a difficult time,” Jackson said, “and the volunteers and the workers at Family Promise are the individuals that have made that a reality for me and my family."