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Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Trust Commits One Million to Southwick House

Emporia, KAN. – Southwick House has been notified by the Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee of a one-million-dollar gift toward the building of a new transitional housing facility for women and families.


In an email to Southwick House earlier this month, the organization was notified of the award. Established in 1961 to provide educational and medical support, the Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust has evolved to take on additional charitable needs in human services and community development support to Lyon, Coffey, and Osage counties in Kansas.


The gift will be used for building a new 9,000 square foot transitional housing facility.


“On behalf of Southwick House, I want to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Jones Trust for their generous gift,” said Jeremy Dorsey, Southwick House board president. “These funds will jumpstart our mission to bring back transitional housing services to Emporia and our surrounding communities and will be the seed money that allows us to purchase a property for our shelter and actually break ground. Southwick House could not have gotten this far without the support and faith of community partners like the Jones Trust, and we will be forever grateful for this opportunity to continue Carrie Plumb's legacy of helping those in need.”


The gift, along with others, places Southwick House closer to their goal of $3.6M with construction planned for early 2025.


“The opportunity to build a new facility like Southwick House is remarkably special and rare for rural communities,” said Susan Brinkman, Director of Southwick House. “We expect to be a leader and model for transitional housing in the state of Kansas and appreciate the Jones Trustees for their vision of a future where everyone has a home.”


Southwick House will close on a six-acre parcel of land located at 115 E. Logan Ave later this month where the future home will be built. The home continues the legacy of the Preston and

Carry Southwick Plumb family of providing housing supports for women and families in the region.


“United Way of the Flint Hills is pleased to recognize the Jones Trust's generous $1 million gift to Southwick House, one of our valued Community Partner agencies,” said Daphne Reed

Mertens, Executive Director, United Way of the Flint Hills. “This significant contribution will greatly enhance Southwick House's ability to provide safe housing and essential support services to those experiencing homelessness. The impact of this gift will be profound, allowing Southwick House to continue empowering individuals and families toward independence and

stability for years to come. We are grateful for the Jones Trust's dedication to uplifting our community.”


Mickey Edwards, Executive Director, SOS Inc. was particularly grateful to the Jones Trust. Edwards was formerly the Chair of the Plumb Place Steering Committee who guided the 100-year-old organization through the receivership process, “Our community and its children and families are lucky to have the legacy of the Jones family to ensure that they can be healthy and have their needs met. So many people in our community are housing-insecure or unhoused. The support of the Jones Trust will be instrumental in ensuring Southwick House can be there to assist when women and women with children need them.”


Further information about Southwick House can be found by visiting www.southwickhouse.org.

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