City hopes to keep programs alive

Holly Springs Mayor Kelvin Buck met with Rev. R.J. Wilson and Clencie Cotton March 24 to discuss how to keep important programs alive while waiting for the Coronavirus to move on out.

Wilson, a member of the North Mississippi VISTA Project, said VISTA wants to be involved in some things that he has been doing with the schools.

"We want to do some hands-on stuff once this (COVID-19 virus) kind of eases up," he said.

He wants VISTA to work with the Youth Activity Club. Before Rust College closed its semester out due to the virus, 12 students at the college were planning to be mentors.

"They still want to mentor this summer," Wilson said. "Some Rust College students are coming back and looking for work."

Buck said the youth activity program will continue to function and the gym at Sims School will be used for that activity, while ICS Head Start is working on a plan to lease Frazier I, II, and III for office space.

"Sports, mentoring, we will continue to do it if school gets back open and in the summer we will continue it with an arts and crafts-like summer camp," the mayor said.

Wilson said Family Resources lost its funding and Health Connect in Byhalia wants to join the effort. Families First has been set up to serve in that capacity to work with children and youth offenders who the youth court does not want to send away to detention.

"I would like to put this in place, at least one room," Wilson said. "It would also be an outlet for the schools for students sent to alternative schools."

The local youth court needs some relief and there are some issues in the city with youth who need intervention, he said.

"We want to make sure the mayor and Rep. John Faulkner approve of it," he said.

Wilson said since social distancing is in place, he is trying to work with the ministers on a direct link so they can disseminate information through the churches using social media streaming. He wants the pastors' association, that has an abundance of media outlets, to help put Holly Springs' voice in there, he said. Buck said Facebook, social media, the radio, and newspapers are being used to keep everyone updated.

"It's changing every day," he said.

Cotton said the government is gathering information via surveys to see what small businesses need. The information can be used to determine if a large enough need exists in the state, he said.

"I announced it over the radio," Buck said. "Businesses can get the forms from the city and we have a number to call where people can get the forms to ask for a small business loan. It could be used for payroll. VISTA could help us get this out to businesses."

"We could use the church network to get information out, too," Wilson said.

One big concern is that New Hope Village has closed and partners are needed to get the homeless shelter open again.

"VISTA wants to be involved as much as possible," Wilson said. Buck said he has talked to

Jeff Bell (manager at New Hope Village) to see what can be done. The city and county have both worked to support it, he said. Some type of nonprofit would be an ideal partner, he said.

"It's going to take some money," Wilson said.

Buck said Bell said the church wants the village to operate, but the city does not want to overcommit itself.

Wilson then mentioned barber shops have been closed because they are a nonessential business.

The mayor and Wilson laughed and Wilson said, "We can go back to afros."

Wilson then added that he and his wife Flo will be having church on Higdon Road, "Me and Sister Wilson."

Then Buck wondered if there is a nonprofit that could deliver meals to senior citizens, but he did not know a program for it.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Wilson said.