“For the past two summers, our organization has stepped in with our own summer cash program to fill the gap. We provided direct cash assistance to families, trusting them to make the best choices for their children.
The results speak for themselves: More than 85 percent of families reported no barriers to accessing enough food, and nearly as many said they were able to buy more protein, fresh fruit and vegetables than ever before.
We’ve shown that this model works. All it would take for Mississippi to extend that success statewide is a governor’s yes, a simple decision to opt into a federal program that would cost the state next to nothing in administrative funds. Yet again this year, Gov. Reeves declined, insisting that summer feeding sites and existing benefits are enough. Families have told us, loud and clear, that they are not.” – Sarah Stripp
1. We’re not going to lie; the highlight of our January was definitely the visit from Vice President Harris. We are so grateful the VP and her team were willing to take time out of a very busy tour schedule to be in conversation with our families. We know it is an experience they will never forget.
2. Early in February, we’ll be headed to the Mississippi State Capitol for our annual legislative advocacy day. This month, we held a training for our fellows who will be there to make sure they were prepared with talking points and strategies for the day. We’ll recap the legislative advocacy day in next month’s newsletter.
3. While the start of the second semester is not technically a new school year, we know that by halfway through the year, many students need a refresh. We held mini back-to-school drives in each of our communities – with uniforms and supplies – to ensure every child in our community was prepared for the rest of the school year.
There is no denying that we are living through challenging and chaotic times, but it is our belief that the greatest opportunities we have for change lie in the solutions developed in community. We hope programs like our fellowships will help inspire more community-driven advocacy and policy work around the country that can move us toward policies and systems where everyone’s voice is valued, and everyone is given what they need to succeed and thrive.
When she is not caring for her 6-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son, Amaya Jones is working full time at Kroger. Jones wants to go back to school in January to study social work, so she can help young women like herself navigate complicated programs designed to help – but which often trap – poor people.
“I know what it’s like to be homeless, to apply for (food stamps) and be denied even though you need it, to be looked at as just a number – I know how it all feels,” Jones said. “I want to help mothers and kids and young women.”
Returning to school will only be possible if Jones regains vouchers she lost in June that made child care affordable, she said. Jones’ family is one of more than 19,000 Mississippi families who lost access to child care vouchers and is now on a growing waitlist after pandemic-era funding that boosted the program dried up, according to the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
2025 brought with it a flurry of challenges – like devastating policy decisions and increased financial insecurity for many families. But at Springboard to Opportunities, we knew our most important job this year was to double down on what we do best: centering community needs and voices. We grew our economic security programs, expanded our policy and advocacy fellowships, and ensured our families’ voices and stories were heard by policymakers and leaders at every level.
• 1,603 attendees at our community events
• 440 children received new backpacks and school supplies
Thank you for your continued support throughout this entire year and to all of our families here in Jackson, Mississippi. We are so thankful for every single person in our communities!
