home safe

“They say home is your sanctuary. Without that, it’s difficult.”
Program Graduate Calvin Simmons

Providing sanctuary to 153 Jacksonville families since 2008.

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Housing is the most fundamental human need

If you’re not sure where you’ll sleep tonight, then every other need becomes secondary. It’s nearly impossible to get to work, prioritize your children’s education, or to keep your family safe.

That’s why Presbyterian Social Ministries is a housing-first program, partially funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We share a focus on getting families into safe, permanent housing, as the foundational step in regaining control of their lives.

Once a family has a place to stay, we offer case management support, helping participants to find work, receive benefits, enroll in schooling, and, if appropriate, take part in rehabilitation.

Home Safe Participants Share Their Stories

 

Meet Ms. Black And Her Family

Her Story

Her Family’s “Welcome Home”

Meet Mr. Simmons

His Story

Creating “Coming Home” Stories for Hundreds of Local Families

Offering housing to 60 families at a time.

We have helped over 150 individuals since 2008.

Help us bring more families home

You can make an impact with a financial gift or an in-kind donation of new or gently used household items for our program participants.

We are also open to corporate partnerships with companies that want to share their goods and services in a beneficial way for our families.

Contact us
Give today
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Stephen Freeman

Board Member

In 2019, Stephen founded Kairos Digital, a marketing agency to help good organizations thrive. With a background in writing, he knew he wanted to start an agency that prioritized the power that words have to make a positive change in the world.

Stephen is married to his wife Caroline and they have 5 children – 3 biological and 2 “bonus” kids. He is a native Floridian, a graduate of UNF, and was named by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of Jacksonville’s 40 Under 40 for 2024.

When he’s not at work, you will probably find him spending time with his family, preparing a sermon for his church, or making plans on how to change the world.

Chaun Cameron

Board Member

I am Chaun Cameron, a Certified Life Coach and Licensed Financial Coach driven by a passion for guiding individuals toward spiritual and personal growth, empowering individuals with financial freedom, repairing relationships, and fostering self-love.

 

Ardice (Ardy) Wilson

Volunteer

Ardy is retired and has been volunteering with PSMJax for more than 2 years.

Coming in to sort clothing is part of her daily routine. She normally sorts clothing for at least 2 hours a day.

Ardy originally started volunteering with PSM as part of our partnership with Seniors on A Mission.

Ardy really helps our Clothing with Purpose tremendously and we are lucky to have her.

Catryna Jackson

Board Member

Catryna Jackson is the Global Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability Product and Solutions Advisor for a leading global technology company, where she helps organizations navigate complex regulatory landscapes and build forward-looking sustainability strategies. She has a strong record of board leadership, previously serving on the Board of Trustees for Beauty for Ashes Contemporary School of Dance and the Board of Directors for Youth Sailing Virginia, Inc.

In addition to Presbyterian Social Ministries, she also serves as President of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Hampton University Alumni Association and leads local community service as the Chair of the Jacksonville Gamma Omicron Sigma Swim 1922 Initiative for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Tamir Taylor

Board Member

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Don Downing

Board Member

Don has more than 30 years experience as an urban planner in Montgomery County, Maryland a suburb of Washington, DC. His master plans covered areas such as Bethesda and Tacoma Park. His work and volunteer activities included leadership training, public workshops, diversity efforts, and United Way Campaigns. Don’s education included a B.S. in Economics and a M.S. in Urban Planning. 

After retiring he served as a program manager and volunteer coordinator for an organization serving foreign born residents of Howard County, Maryland with an emphasis on ESOL language training. Throughout his life Don served in various Presbyterian Church USA leadership positions with an emphasis on area mission\outreach efforts. After moving to Jacksonville in 2008 Don worked as the Commercial Revitalization Director for SPAR his neighborhood community organization. He also joined the PSM Board and volunteers in the Clothing with Purpose program.

Kevin Tuck

Board Treasurer

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Denise Judd

Board Secretary

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Paul Bell

Board Chair

PAUL BELL  joined the PSM Board as Director of Grants and Research for nonprofit Feeding Northeast Florida, where has worked since 2018. With over a decade of experience in grant writing, he has built a thriving team at the food bank bringing in millions of dollars in awards. Resisting retirement, he was recently promoted to the role of Grants Development Strategist. Prior to his nonprofit work, Paul worked in IT sales, product marketing and operations roles for technology firms and owned/operated an employment recruiting firm. Paul lives in Jacksonville with wife Christine. While giving personally to PSM, Paul also maintains a watchful eye for those new capital and program grant opportunities that may benefit the organization. As Paul actively researches and writes new grants, maintaining a list of hundreds that continues to evolve annually, he has offered suggestions throughout his board membership that have turned into active PSM grant submissions leading to increased awards.

Josephine Mamungun

Office Manager and Bookkeeper

Jo was born and raised in the Philippines where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a CPA.

While in the Philippines she worked for the largest bank for 11 years.

She migrated from the Philippines to California where she worked for a jewelry company for 16 years and a part time job as a tax preparer at H&R Block. She also studied at the Glendale Community College in Glendale, CA.

​Later she moved to Florida and has been with PSM for 5 years now. She’s a detailed oriented, loyal person with the “get the job done” attitude.

She believes that because she is blessed, therefore she should bless others too. Through the help of PSM, she was able to accomplish her dream of giving back to her country by donating clothes to the less fortunate.

Outside of work she enjoys baking bread and sweets, is active at her Church and enjoys watching Korean dramas in her spare time.

Deidre Lane

Family Advocate

There is nothing that Florida native Deidre M. Lane, M.E.d., is more passionate about than her family and her community. She is dedicated to serving her community by advocating for people who have felt marginalized, oppressed, and are fighting to be treated with dignity and respect.

For nearly 17 years now, Ms. Lane has been a culturally responsive leader, spokesperson, community builder, team developer, coach, and facilitator. As a diversity and inclusion practitioner, Ms. Lane has had many experiences in various religious, nonprofit, government, and educational sectors. Along with this work, Ms. Lane also mentor’s youth and young adults, helping them explore their beliefs and values to broaden their lenses on living inclusively. When asked why she does many things, Ms. Lane constantly alludes to the inner peace and joy that supporting and encouraging others brings to her spirit.

Working in one of her various roles within her community, Ms. Lane has always inspired others to expand their lens. By looking past their view and biases, people of all differences could find the secret to working with others who share different beliefs within themselves. Her philosophy was once you support and empower individuals, you give them the tools and resources they need to become their best selves. Ms. Lane believes this is what helps people to experience mutual and individual success.

Currently, Ms. Lane is pursuing a Professional Doctoral degree specializing in Education Leadership and Management. Her motto is the 3’ D’s: Dream, Dedication, and Determination. Have a dream, dedicate yourself to the purpose and be determined and relentless in seeing it through.

 

Adventina John

Social Media Manager

Adventina is a Tanzanian born legal practitioner turned communications practitioner with 8 years of experience.

She has worked for numerous entities such as a daily TV show, a sports company, an advertising agency, a university, multiple non-profit organizations, and a church.

Adventina is skilled in public relations, social media marketing, video production, photography, and developing overall communication strategies.

“Working for a company or an organization whose mission is people focused and promotes the well-being of a community, drives me to work harder and fuels my passion for communication.”

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"PSMJax’s social media footprint excelled under the leadership of Adventina Kiyeyeu. She scripted, recorded, and edited all of the videos you see on PSM's YouTube channel including many other pictures you will see sprinkled throughout all of our sites. Adventina’s expertise and guidance have greatly enhanced our virtual reach and we couldn’t have done it without her."


-- Teri Ketchum, CEO

Anne Kail

Development Associate

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Neil Claasen

Director of Logistics

Neil is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Clothing with Purpose program including volunteer coordination, inventory management, and collaborating with PSM's partner agencies.

Neil’s professional career covers various sectors of industry, including access control, security, loss control prevention, and chemical testing; in a blend of positions, including installations, service, technical training, sales, and customer relations. Accounts Neil has worked with include Fortune 500 companies and various state governments.

Neil was born in South Africa, immigrated to the USA in 1997, and became a citizen in 2008. He lived in Ohio and North Carolina before moving to the Jacksonville area in 2013. Neil enjoys working on complex mechanical things, being outdoors, attending live music events, good conversations with interesting people, and being able to help people.

 

Karen Thomas

Director of Housing

Karen is a native of Jacksonville and is very active in her community. She is a graduate of Jacksonville University with a major in Social Science.

Her leisure activities include coaching Cheer-leading and Dance, traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family.