Ramshackle buildings that are homes more to rats than people, lonely senior citizens afraid to go outside their doors, hungry children--these are anathema's to a civilized society.

But even if simple humanity did not compel Shelby County citizens to alleviate the suffering of their own, history would. Help for the homeless and the hopeless has been a priority of Shelby County Government from the first Quarterly Court in 1821 to the present. That first court spent $13 on a "pauper," probably to secure housing and food.

Today, Shelby County Government is a major source of decent housing, food, clothes, education, medical care, security, and hope for the future for thousands of underprivileged citizens. Primarily through the Community Services Division, Shelby County taxpayers spend millions of dollars and operate dozens of programs designed to break the cycle of poverty that grips generations of citizens and to answer the needs of county citizens. Through programs of this Division, the sick are treated, the young are nurtured and the old are cared for.

The Community Services Division has seven departments and is staff or advisor to a number of boards, agencies or commissions. The departments include the Aging Commission of the MidSouth, Community Services Agency, Head Start, Pre-Trial Services, Veterans Services and the Crime Victims' Center. 

The Community Services director coordinates the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and is also responsible for a growing project: the Community Gardens on the Correction Center property. More than 350 families tend small plots of vegetables that they grow then enjoy eating all year.