Charletta Cowling

It is almost impossible for me to tell just one story about Jim Knight. I have known Jim since he was a Jubilee Housing intern working in the maintenance department. The residents loved him, and I was not surprised when he came back to lead Jubilee. There is something powerful about Jim’s connection to Jubilee, and I have seen it as a resident, a board member, a staff person, a volunteer, and member of the community. 

Not everyone can do the job that Jim is doing, it takes a person with compassion and caring to do this work. Jim has demonstrated this and I am very appreciative of him. 

Whether it was when my father was sick or making sure my family had what we needed for a good Christmas, Jim has always been there for me. Many people would say the same thing because he cares about people.

A few years ago the opportunity to purchase a very dilapidated building came Jubilee’s way. At the board meeting we were all concerned about how we would raise the money to buy it and develop it as affordable housing. Jim looked at me, obviously wondering what I thought, so I spoke up. I told everyone that I knew someone in that building and was worried what would happen to her if we did not step in. Jim kept encouraging me to talk, and I shared more of the horror stories I had heard.  

Jim is always focused on residents and the community and has been that way since I met him way more than 20 years ago. We voted that night to try and purchase the property. I also think about Jim’s courage to take risks, knowing the people in that building and many others like it deserve to live in safe and affordable housing.