What You Missed at the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods’ Final Board Meeting of the Year and What to Expect This Spring
The Jackson Association of Neighborhoods closed out the year with its final board meeting on Monday evening, welcoming residents, community leaders and partners for a candid look at the work shaping Jackson’s neighborhoods. The public meeting, held at the Greater Pearlie Grove Youth and Training Facility, offered updates on JAN’s internal planning, including relaunching the association’s membership program, sustainability planning, organizational development and emerging collaborations designed to strengthen community engagement across the city.
The board opened with organizational business, beginning with an overview of JAN’s sustainability planning, an effort aimed at strengthening the association’s long-term structure and impact. Members also discussed preparations for the upcoming board and committee retreat, which will set priorities for 2026 and support board development. Transition planning was another key topic as the association prepares for a new cycle of leadership and committee participation. An update was provided on the community journalist position, a role designed to amplify neighborhood stories and expand JAN’s communication reach.
The meeting’s featured guests, Jim Pollard and Ryan Wilson of AMR, connected their work directly to community needs in Jackson. Wilson shared information about the new Nurse Navigation service, which helps residents determine the most appropriate level of care and may reduce unnecessary ambulance transports and lower healthcare costs. He also introduced AMR’s Earn While You Learn program, which provides paid, hands-on training for individuals pursuing careers in emergency medical services. The AMR team answered questions from attendees, offering insight into how these programs support emergency response and improve workforce development in local neighborhoods. For more information from our partner at AMR, visit their website.
As JAN moves into a new year, the board emphasized its commitment to strengthening neighborhood leadership, fostering collaboration and expanding access to information and resources. Although the board will maintain its monthly meeting schedule, it will spend the next few months developing goals for the coming year and outlining a five-year vision to guide the association’s growth and impact. The next open board meeting will be hosted in the spring, and community members are encouraged to attend, get involved and help shape the future of Jackson’s neighborhoods.
