At a recent Biscuits ‘n’ Tips gathering at The Ledge, we had the honor of hearing from DeAnna Casteel, Director and House Manager of The Place of Jackson transitional home for women. Her story, and the stories of the women she serves, are powerful reminders of what happens when a community chooses to show up with care, consistency, and compassion.
The Place of Jackson is more than a house. It is a safe, steady place for women who are rebuilding their lives after addiction, incarceration, homelessness, or crisis. It is a place where healing happens in everyday moments. Morning coffee around the table. Rides to work and doctor appointments. Shared meals. Shared responsibility. Shared hope.
What Is The Place of Jackson?
The Place of Jackson transitional home for women was founded by four local women, two police officers, a therapist, and a doctor, who kept seeing the same need over and over again. Women were being jailed when what they truly needed was support, structure, and a safe place to start again.
After years of research and planning, The Place of Jackson opened its doors. For more than three years now, it has quietly served women in our community, offering long-term transitional housing, typically 18 months to two years, based on individual needs.
Because safety is critical, the house address is not public. This allows women to heal without fear, pressure, or outside disruption. What is public is the impact.
A House Built on Structure and Care
Life at The Place of Jackson transitional home for women is intentionally structured. Many residents arrive with very little, sometimes no identification, no clothing, no support system. The staff and board help women rebuild from the ground up.
This includes:
- Help obtaining IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards
- Transportation to work, court, medical appointments, and recovery meetings
- Support for women in recovery court or probation programs
- Life skills classes, budgeting help, and community accountability
- Random drug testing to maintain a safe, sober environment
Every morning begins together, gathered around the table. They share coffee, a short reading, things they are grateful for, and one personal commitment for the day. This simple rhythm has become a cornerstone of the house and a powerful builder of trust and connection.
Why Community Matters So Much
One of the most moving parts of DeAnna’s talk was how deeply community changes outcomes. Addiction and homelessness often come with isolation. At The Place of Jackson transitional home for women, isolation is replaced with shared life.
Residents cook dinner for the whole house. Meals are planned together. Everyone eats at the table. Conversations happen naturally. Trust grows slowly and steadily.
Women support one another through court dates, recovery milestones, family reunification, and hard days. Many residents reconnect with children, grandchildren, and family members they had not seen in years. These changes ripple outward, impacting entire families and future generations.
The Ledge as a Donation Drop Off Point
Because The Place of Jackson must remain a protected location, donations cannot be dropped off at the house. That is where The Ledge comes in.
We are grateful to be the official drop off donation point for The Place of Jackson transitional home for women.
Donation drop off location:
The Ledge
3581 Highway 70 E
Jackson, TN 38305
731-214-8755
This partnership allows the community to give generously while preserving the safety and privacy of the residents. If you have items to donate, you can bring them to The Ledge and our team will make sure they get where they are needed.
This relationship grew naturally, through conversation, shared vision, and a mutual heart for community. It is a reminder that when organizations work together, everyone benefits.
Most Needed Donations
Donations play a critical role in daily life at The Place of Jackson transitional home for women. Many women arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
Some of the most needed items include:
Personal Care Items
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap and body wash
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
Clothing Essentials
- New socks
- New underwear
- Clothing in all sizes
Household Supplies
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Cleaning supplies
- Laundry detergent
Other Helpful Items
- Towels
- Gas gift cards
- Walmart gift cards
- Patio or porch furniture
Even when supplies are plentiful, donations are never wasted. Extra items are shared with other local organizations, extending your generosity even further.
A Fully Donation-Funded Mission
The Place of Jackson transitional home for women is funded entirely by donations. No grants have been secured yet, and operating costs are ongoing. Insurance, transportation, utilities, food, and administrative needs all depend on community support.
Transportation alone is a major need. The house currently uses a donated Suburban that has served faithfully, but contributions toward a future vehicle are welcomed.
Every dollar given supports real women, real families, and real change.
Why This Work Matters
During her talk, DeAnna shared story after story of restoration. Reunited families. Women finding stability. Generations being changed because someone had a safe place to heal at the right time.
This is what happens when a community chooses to care.
If you would like to donate, volunteer, or learn more, stop by The Ledge or reach out.
Follow The Place of Jackson: