Students at Jackson State University are stepping up to make a difference in the community that surrounds their HBCU. Through a special project, they are helping senior citizens feel safer in their homes.
A Partnership with Purpose
The initiative was led by JSU’s Office of Community Engagement in partnership with the Pecan Tree Park Neighborhood Association. Together, they installed 150 Ring video doorbells for residents in Jackson—completely free of charge.
This effort was made possible by a $50,000 grant from the Home Depot Retool Your School Community Project.
Supporting Senior Residents
The free doorbells were installed for residents aged 65 and older who live within a 10-mile radius of Jackson State University. This project aimed to improve safety and peace of mind for the elderly community.
“We’re extremely grateful to have secured the resources from Home Depot to cater to the needs of our community,” said Dr. Heather Denne, director of Community Engagement at JSU. “We hope that by having access to the Ring cameras, our neighborhoods surrounding JSU will feel more joy about keeping their properties pristine.”
A Community-Wide Effort
Other neighborhood associations also played an important role. These included:
- Gowdy Washington Addition
- Jayne Avenue
- Matthews Estates
- Westland Plaza
- Poindexter Park
- The Center for Social Entrepreneurship
The collaboration shows what can happen when local groups come together with a shared mission.
Gratitude from the Community
Local resident Emmitt Powe, age 81, expressed his appreciation:…