Jean Jones Named 2014 Housing Initiative Partner of the Year by Institute for Disability Studies
Wed, 11/19/2014 - 01:27pm | By: Alma Ellis
Jean Jones, vice president and community development coordinator for Trustmark Bank, was presented the 2014 Housing Initiative Partner of the Year Award by The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at the fall meeting of the IDS Housing Advisory Council on Oct. 29.
Jones has been an active member of the IDS Housing Advisory Council since its formation in 2004. She manages Trustmark's Federal Home Loan Bank Special Needs Assistance Program for low-to-moderate income families and people with disabilities.
“The success of our initiatives is greatly enriched by drawing knowledge from valued partners, from their successes and lessons learned. Quality advisors like Ms. Jones ensure that our endeavors are implemented not just with fidelity, but with integrity. For that, we are deeply grateful,” said Dr. Beth Bryant-Claxton, executive director of IDS.
"Jean has been a valuable asset for a long time supporting USM/IDS housing programs, in her professional role as a Trustmark employee and her personal role as a housing advocate,” said Cassie Hicks, assistant director of housing. “She is an original Housing Advisory Council member, advocating for many years around housing opportunities for all borrowers, especially families with disabilities and people with low incomes. The IDS Housing Partner of the Year award presented to her is an award she truly deserves for her efforts in our Mississippi communities."
The IDS Housing Partner of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual or an agency participating on the IDS Housing Advisory Council who has worked in the housing, disability or economic development arenas in the state to empower people with disabilities to live independently in their communities. Nominations are received from April 1 through June 30 of each year.
For more information about the Institute for Disability Studies at Southern Miss and it housing programs visit www.usm.edu/disability-studies.