Jackson in Action

Jackson residents lead the programs and projects happening in the neighborhood as we seek the cohesive well-being of the Jackson Neighborhood and its residents through community engagement, advocacy, and asset-based community development.

Sign up to get involved at the bottom of this page!

  • “The neighborhood you live in isn't just where you are — it's who you are. Own it, shape it, and leave it better than you found it.” - Anonymous

Check it out this clip to see the heart behind the art.

The Cedar Mural is located at the corner of E. Tulare and S. Cedar.

Inspired by the book Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood

by authors F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, and illustrated by Rafael López.

We’re excited to share a short clip featuring residents who helped restore this beautiful artwork—a collective effort by community members.

Book cover titled "Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood" featuring a smiling girl holding a paintbrush, with colorful buildings, plants, a sun, a butterfly, and hearts in the background.

Ways to get involved in our Jackson Neighborhood…

  • A group of people gathered outdoors in a park at dusk, with some sitting in chairs and others standing, listening to a man speaking, with trees and streetlights in the background.

    Jackson Neighborhood Association Meetings

    We hold monthly ABCD-focused meetings at Jackson Elementary to equip neighbors on every street who will be mobilized to improve our neighborhood with others. If you live in the Jackson neighborhood, we encourage you to come and join us and meet your neighbors. Bring the family. We also have information and activities for kids to enjoy!

    MEETINGS ARE EVERY 3rd THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH.

    FROM: 6:30 PM-7:30 PM

    LOCATION: Jackson Elementary Cafeteria.

  • A woman and a young girl sitting at a classroom table, reading a book together, with classroom supplies and bulletin boards in the background.

    Literacy Mentoring

    The Literacy Mentoring program is an educational initiative where volunteers go into K-2 classrooms at Jackson Elementary to work with students one-on-one to practice sight words, letters, sounds, reading, and writing.

    These students are chosen by their teacher and are often the ones who are struggling and need to catch up with their grade level. As mentors, we use fun and creative games and activities to help kids learn!

    For Volunteer Opportunities, email: connect@jacksoncdc.org

  • Green abstract background with the text 'Jackson Thriving Youth' in dark green font.

    Jackson Thriving Youth

    The Jackson Thriving Youth program is a multi-faceted approach to empowering youth in our neighborhood. 

    Our primary focus is Literacy Mentoring at Jackson Elementary School. The other aspects include Saturday Sports, Jackson’s 6th-grade Entrepreneurial Extravaganza program, and the Jackson Woodshop. A new approach we hope to add in Fall 2025 is the Jackson Community Support program to support the adults in the youth’s lives, especially those who are not fluent in Spanish or English.  This language reality causes barriers for adults navigating the educational system, and the Community Support program will strive to empower adults as they support their students.

  • A man sits on a wooden workbench in a workshop, holding a hammer, with woodworking tools on the workbench and wood shavings on the floor.

    Neighborhood Woodshop

    Neighborhood Woodshop provides woodworking education to youth in the Jackson neighborhood.

    Ongoing woodworking classes are happening.

    Click below to reach out to Brett if you would like more information.

    bmason@jacksoncdc.org

  • Group of children and adults on and around a playground structure at a park, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

    Saturday Sports

    Held throughout the school year, this FREE two-hour program offers a fantastic mix of games, sports equipment, arts and crafts, and fun activities based on our monthly theme. Whether kids want to get active, be creative, or make new friends, there’s something for everyone!

    And the best part? Lunch is provided!

    Families are encouraged to join in the fun.

    When: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 9:00-11:00 AM

    Where: Jackson Elementary School (Entrance at E. Kerckhoff Ave)

    Saturday Sports is closed for the summer, but we’ll be back in September 2025 for another exciting year of play, creativity, and community bonding. Until then, have a fantastic summer—we can’t wait to see you in the fall!

  • Cover of a book titled "Make Your Own Money" by F. Allan Jackson, featuring a smiling cartoon boy. The book is part of Jackson 6th graders' Entrepreneurial Extravaganza event with a comic book-style background in red, yellow, blue, and black.

    Jackson Entrepreneurial Extravaganza

    The Jackson Entrepreneurial Extravaganza is a program in partnership with author Ty Allan Jackson, Jackson Elementary School, and Fresno Community Schools’ 6th-grade students learn about finances: earning, saving, spending, investing, and donating, while learning entrepreneurial skills, resulting in an Entrepreneurial Fair where they share what they have learned. 

  • A young man with glasses, wearing a dark jacket, sitting on a brown leather chair in a living room. He is smiling while talking to a woman with curly dark hair, who is taking notes on a notepad. The room has bookshelves, a brick fireplace, and a framed picture of a tree on the wall.

    Learning Conversations

    Each year we host listening sessions related to pressing issues in the Jackson Neighborhood (i.e. crime, homelessness, etc.). These community meetings are vital to the health and well-being of the Jackson Neighborhood.

    We gather together to hear the heart and concerns of our neighbors and connect them to resources in the city, such as The Fresno City Planner, Fresno PD, and City Council, to address issues like homelessness and crime.

  • Jackson Neighborhood Conductors

    Jackson conductors are residents who have completed the four-week resident cohort.  These residents are like a metal conductor that allows electricity to flow through it easily. They are conductors of positivity, a pathway for energy to spread. They advocate for Jackson and invite others to join in the positive forward movement.  Jackson conductors encourage others to dream and to be part of the solution because we are better together, and we can use that energy to empower residents to pursue wholistic well-being, creating a thriving Jackson community!

  • Open cardboard box filled with various food items including vegetables, fruits, bread, milk, and meats, labeled 'Food Distribution'.

    Food Distribution

    Food distribution takes place weekly on Wednesday afternoons at Grace United Methodist Church. If you’re available on a Wednesday and would like to give us a hand, please let us know!

    Every Wednesday, from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM at Grace Methodist Chruch, 3362 E Balch Ave, Fresno, CA 93702.

    For more information, contact Pastor Vicky Flores by email

    vicky.flores@cnumc.org

  • Person in a blue shirt hands a paper or card to another person wearing a patterned sleeve, at an outdoor event.

    Surveying

    Each year we produce surveys for the 923 homes of Jackson. These surveys are a crucial part of assessing the health and well-being of a neighborhood. Community surveys allow us to collect real-time data on pressing issues such as crime, homelessness, traffic safety. These surveys direct us to the next steps as far as action and collaboration with other existing entities.

  • Seal of Fryesno Unified Community School with shield featuring pillars, people, a graduation cap, and handshake, surrounded by stars

    Jackson Elementary School: A Proud Community School

    Jackson Elementary is honored to be part of Fresno Unified’s Community Schools initiative, working alongside families and local partners to support student success. Through collaboration, we provide vital academic resources, enrichment programs, and wellness services, creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. With Fresno Unified and the California Community Schools Partnership Program, we continue to strengthen opportunities and build a brighter future for our students and community.

    For more information, contact Emma Chavez, the Jackson Elementary Community Schools Coordinator:

    Emma.Chavez@fresnounified.org

    Jackson Elementary School, additional websites:

    Fresno Unified Link: Home - Jackson Elementary School

    Facebook: Facebook

    Instagram: @jackson_gators_fusd

  • Group of diverse people, including children and adults, gathered on a staircase inside a building, wearing matching green Jackson neighborhood shirts, holding signs, and smiling for a group photo.

    Advocacy at City Hall

    We show up to city council meetings and speak publicly about issues related to the Jackson Neighborhood.

  • Tulare Complete Streets Infrastructure

    We secured local government and federal funding for an ongoing safety infrastructure project from 6th to Cedar along Tulare.

    Click below for the Fresnoland article featuring the Jackson Neighborhood and the journey that led to the Tulare Complete Streets Project.

    Check out the Groundbreaking Press Release Facebook Link: https://fb.watch/BUzlnf2tMc/

  • People participating in a community cleanup event, cleaning up debris and trash in an open lot near a fence, with some individuals using tools and wearing gloves, in an urban area with buildings, vehicles, and power lines in the background.

    Alley Clean-Ups

    Our resident-led initiative focuses on keeping the alleys in the Jackson Neighborhood safe and clean. We are committed to making our neighborhood a place where people love to live, connect, and play.

    Over the years, we have organized cleanups and plan to continue this effort in the future to ensure our streets, sidewalks, and alleys remain welcoming for everyone.

  • Outdoor security light mounted on a wall near a beige wooden ceiling.

    Alley Light Project

    We provide solar-powered security lights to neighbors and they install them in every dark alley in Jackson.

  • People repairing or painting a utility pole outdoors on a sidewalk.

    Pole Painting Project

    We have a resident-led ongoing project to repaint every light pole in the Jackson Neighborhood.

  • Illustration of a gear, a bar chart, and stylized fields representing agriculture or progress, with bright colors.

    DRIVE Initiative

    We are working to establish a financially sustainable, resident-led Neighborhood Hub (similar to a community center) that is mobilized to advocate and serve in Jackson. We believe a resident-focused and resident-led neighborhood hub can lead to a healthy sustainable community.

TAKE ACTION!

TAKE ACTION!

Text “Jackson” to 559-330-1939 to receive reminders and updates.

A gathering of people at a small outdoor event in a park during dusk, with a tent, some chairs, and bright lights, surrounded by trees and street lamps illuminating the area.

Volunteer! ~

Volunteer! ~

Interested in volunteering?

Do you have an idea of something we could be doing but aren’t?

Get in touch with us! We want to work with you…and people typically find our team very fun to work with.

Fill out some info below and we will be in touch shortly!

We truly are a resident-led organization working at the grassroots level.