Jody Mason, executive director of the Magdalene Project, presented an assessment of local homelessness and poverty services and asked the Junction City Commission for a one-time $65,000 investment to expand programming and operations. Mason said the request would support a combination of programming and operational costs and that the nonprofit is pursuing matching and grant opportunities to sustain a future facility.

Mason described current Magdalene Project work as street outreach, one-on-one case management, life-skills classes and a veteran outdoor-therapy program. She said the organization has served more than 1,400 people since it began and that roughly 25% of its clientele identify as homeless, with the remainder described as working poor or other vulnerable groups. Mason also cited Feeding America’s 2024 data showing food insecurity rates she described as high in the county.

On funding breakdown, Mason said the $65,000 request would be split approximately between program delivery and operations — about $40,000 for programming and $25,000 for operations, including liability insurance, stipends for program leaders and running a mobile outreach trailer. She said the Magdalene Project is pursuing a capital match: a partner organization in Manhattan has offered $50,000 if local partners can raise $100,000 toward a building to host a multi-access center.

Commissioners asked about coordination with existing providers. Mason said the Magdalene Project refers people to FreshStart (a shelter) for showers and laundry, coordinates with VA benefits specialists (Anthony Gibson was cited by name) and works with extension services for budgeting education (Renee Reed). Mason said the Magdalene Project intends to operate complementary services rather than duplicate the shelter model, emphasizing targeted case management and outreach for people who avoid shelters.

The commission did not approve funding at the meeting. Mason was invited to provide additional data on client outcomes and program metrics; no formal motion or vote on the funding request was taken.