Jacob's Place Homeless Mission names two new board members

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

SEARCY — Stephanie Dalrymple and Rees Jones, both of Searcy, have joined the board of directors for Jacob's Place Homeless Mission.

Dalrymple is a Realtor at Dalrymple Residential. She has served as a past director and secretary of the Searcy Board of Realtors. She has also volunteered with Special Olympics and Friends for Life. Members of Valley Baptist Church, she and her husband, Stuart, have two daughters.

Jones, assistant vice president and loan officer at Simmons First Bank, serves on the Camp Wyldewood Benefit Golf Tournament Committee and just began a three-year tenure on the United Way Board. An active member of Downtown Church of Christ, he previously served on the Searcy Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional's Network Committee. He and his wife, Shanna, have a son.

Since its incorporation as a charitable 501 (c) (3) nonprofit in December 2007, Jacob's Place has served more than 40 families. The mission itself is in thehistoric Ben Lightle house at 301 E. Market. The four-bedroom home, leased from First United Methodist Church, will accommodate 16 people. The aim of Jacob's Place, at present, is to serve homeless families with children.

Jacob's Place was formed as the Searcy Ministerial Alliance became aware of the increasing homeless population in the area. The mission serves all of White County.

"We get several calls each day," said Jacob's Place President Rebecca Frankford. "The mission has been full, and it's certainly difficult to turn people away. We do our best to refer them to other shelters in nearby counties."

Frankford added, "I look forward to working with Rees and Stephanie. Their experience in business and the community will be a tremendous asset to our board."

Funding for Jacob's Placecomes through area churches, businesses and individuals. All contributions are tax deductible.

For more information about Jacob's Place or to receive the enewsletter, call the office at (501) 380-8283 or request via e-mail at jacobs-place@hotmail.com.

Three Rivers, Pages 127 on 08/30/2009

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