VOICE OF CALVARY MINISTRIES
Sowing Seeds of Hope Since 1975
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Voice of Calvary Ministries (VOCM) is working to address the problem of poverty by providing programs and services that would give people choices--where they live, where they work and where they bank. It is our belief that when people have living wages, they are not doomed to live in under-resourced neighborhoods and be defined by their zip codes.. We, with our partners (See the West Jackson Neighborhood Empowerment Coalition (NEC) Strategic Plan 2023, Page 28), are specifically addressing the "where they live" by providing up to two hundred (200) affordable housing units that will include a mix of affordable new single family detached homes and multi-unit apartment buildings as well as specific properties being designated as Stormwater Management Sites at Multiple Scales (See Strategic Plan Page 52).
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
ESG
Provides financial assistance for homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless.
Parenthood Initiative Program
Assist families in Hinds, Copiah, Rankin and Madison counties in becoming healthy, happy and whole.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Include: Provide parenting training, jobs skills training resulting in a living wage job, and other social services to assist families in staying together and transition to self-sufficiency; we have an established partnership with the MS Department of Human Services.
Delta Property Management Services
Providing residential services to 46 apartment complexes throughout the state, mostly in rural areas; connecting healthcare providers and other resources to tenants; established partnership with the MS Department of Health and Lynx Telehealth.Below are five of the many counties we serve in.
Affordable Homebuyer Program
Safe - Stable - & Affordable Housing Program
VOCM and partners are in the planning phase of constructing 200+ affordable new construction and renovated single family homes. Down Payment Assistance & Lease Purchase Programs may /will be available.
Ties That Bind - A Digital Inclusion Project
Ties that Bind is an educational program to teach basic computer skills to senior citizens and grandparents who are the primary caregiver for their grandchildren.
VOCM Turning Point Housing Program
Assist young people exiting out of the Mississippi Foster Care System with:
Obtaining stable housing
Rental Assistance for at least 12 months
Utilities Deposit
Support Services (e.g., job skills, education, transportation, child care, etc.)
Intensive Case Management and other social services they need.
Our Turning Point Housing Program receives referrals from the MS Department of Child Protection Services.
Food Pantry
Mississippi is a state where food insecurity is prevalent. To address this need for residents of the metro-Jackson area, VOCM is a participating agency with the Food Network to provide food for residents in need in emergency situations.
We provide food to the hungry!
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
1) Number of new construction houses available for sale.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Affordable Homebuyer Program
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These metrics relate to the implementation of VOCM's Affordable Housing Program and uploaded "West Jackson Neighborhood Empowerment Coalition Strategic Plan 2023" Construction has not begun.
2) Number of new construction houses sold.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Affordable Homebuyer Program
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
As a result of the City of Jackson's Blight Elimination Project started in 2019, the NEC members have control over 150 lots which are being maintained for development of new housing units..
3) Number of new construction houses sold to buyers who are in the very low to middle income bracket..
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Affordable Homebuyer Program
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In addition to the housing units referred to in Metric 2, we project that over the next 10 years we will build 50 (fifty) houses that will be sold to homeowners whose income is very low to moderate.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Voice of Calvary Ministries is aiming to change the narrative for low income and disadvantaged populations. We are working to provide services and programs that will enhance the opportunity for our clients to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence.
We, with our partners (See the West Jackson Neighborhood Empowerment Coalition (NEC) Strategic Plan 2023, Page 28), are specifically addressing the above mentioned "where they live" by providing up to two hundred (200) affordable housing units that will include affordable new single family detached homes, single family detached like-new rehabilitated homes and multi- housing unit buildings as well as specific properties being designated as Stormwater Management Sites at Multiple Scales (See Strategic Plan Page 52).
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
In addition to the affordable housing to be made available to the community, and especially to low to middle income people, our strategies include offering financial literacy and credit counseling; intensive case management and support; creation of workforce development initiatives; and housing stability assistance.
See the uploaded "West Jackson Neighborhood Empowerment Coalition (NEC) Strategic Plan 2023".
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
VOCM has a professional staff with significant experience in working with disadvantaged populations. We have administered several programs to assist the disadvantaged. The programs include assisting homeless individuals secure stable housing; assisted incarcerated veterans to prepare them for a successful re-entry into society; and worked with elementary school students to increase their math and science scores. Voice of Calvary Ministries is a HUD certified counseling agency and has counseled more than 1500 families on home buyer education and financial literacy. We also provide credit counseling and assist clients with developing credit action plans to prepare for home ownership. Since 1975, VOCM has rehabilitated and sold more than 300 homes to low-to-moderate first-time home buyers.
Margaret Johnson, President/CEO, has more than 25 years of experience in grant administration and management. She has a MBA Degree in Strategic Management from Davenport University. Professionally, she has worked in the public sector and has managed several housing programs funded by the HUD. Ms. Johnson will be responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and reporting.
Sheron Brown-Gorden, Home Ownership Coordinator, has more than 13 years of providing housing and case management services to our target population. She is a certified housing counselor and most recently was a case manager supervisor for our SSVF program. She will serve as the Home Buyer Education Counselor/Trainer for the program.
Barbara Parker-Thornton, Community Engagement Coordinator, has significant experience in community engagement and outreach. She most recently served as Case Manager/Community Engagement Coordinator for the SSVF program. Barbara spearheaded the development of the SSVF Central Mississippi Correctional Facility Veterans’ program where we provided life skills, job assistance and housing services to incarcerated veterans before and after their release from prison. Barbara secured more than 25 community partners to visit the veteran pod on a weekly basis. Ms. Thornton will facilitate community outreach to promote the program.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Accomplishments:
• Purchased, rehabbed and sold more than 300 homes to low-to-moderate income home buyers in west Jackson.
• Developed a subdivision of 16 new homes in McComb, MS for hurricane Katrina evacuees.
• Developed Claiborne Park, a 16-acre park in west Jackson.
• Provided home buyer/financial literacy education workshops to 150 families per year.
• Provided assistance to more than 400 individuals through an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) from the Mississippi Home Corporation.
• Established Changing the Narrative! a pilot program of hands on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) in eleven west Jackson Schools.
• Successfully implemented nearly $4 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding; acquired, rehabilitated and sold 37 homes in Jackson to low-to-moderate income home buyers.
• Served more than 1,500 veterans and their families who were homeless or in danger of becoming homeless through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.
• Developed and implemented a Veterans’ Incarceration Program at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) to reduce recidivism.
FUTURE IMPACT PRIORITIES/GOALS
HOUSING
A. Home Buyer Assistance
We will continue to pursue funding to offer down payment and closing cost assistance to low-to-moderate income first-time home buyers. Additionally, we will provide home buyer/financial literacy education to a minimum of 100 individuals/families annually.
B. Homeless Assistance
We will pursue funding to provide housing, workforce development and education assistance to young people aging out of foster care. We will provide wrap around support services (mental health awareness, employment assistance, financial literacy) in their pursuit of self-sufficiency.
C. Blight Elimination Project/New Housing Development
VOCM is designated as one of five Blight Elimination Partners for the City Jackson’s Blight Elimination Project. We have sought and were granted approval to demolish 49 dilapidated, unsafe structures. Next, we are planning to develop affordable housing for persons of low to moderate income. (See Strategic Plan)
EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
• Secure funding to fully implement two Maker Spaces children 2 to 5 years of age for STEAM learning through the West Jackson: Changing the Narrative! Initiative.
• Develop and sponsor Parent Summits to assist parents in functioning as the “first-line educators" for their children; how to communicate effectively and engage with their children's schools and teachers.
• Secure funding to implement the “Ties That Bind” program which will provide social interactions and support to caregivers; and tutoring to children being reared by grandparents or other relatives.
SUPPORTING VETERANS
• Secure funding and develop partners to build a housing cooperative exclusively for veterans, the first in Jackson, MS.
• Provide financial literacy training to a a minimum of 75 veterans annually.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
VOICE OF CALVARY MINISTRIES
Board of directorsas of 10/30/2023
Willis Finley
Real Estate Solutions
Term: 2015 -
Pat VanderPol
Retired Justice for All
Dawson Graves
Managing Director / First Commercial Bank
Montina Fletcher Lewis
Retired Army
Pennie Frazier
U-Haul Roadside Assistance
Sadie Palmer
Community Resident & Caregiver - Loving Health Care
Kathleen Cook
Special Asst.Atty General Office of the Attorney General Child Protective Services Division
Amy Davidson
Public Affairs Entergy Mississippi LLC
Michelle Irby
Account Manager / Mahaffeys' Quality Printing
Tamara Williams
Mortgage Bus. Dev. Community Outreach; Sr. Motgage Banker / Renasant Bank
Rieko Wells
Vice President/CRA Officer Community Bank
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 09/01/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.