Our Story

Operation Shoestring was founded in 1968 in response to growing racial and political divisions in our city and state as a place to keep children and families safe while creating greater equity and opportunity in our community.

A community catalyst

In response to the June 1966 shooting of James Meredith in his March Against Fear, Jackson faith leaders met to respond, and the local NAACP suggested that they engage in voter registration among Black citizens in Jackson’s Pleasant Avenue area. Neighborhood residents, however, shared that their most pressing need was a safe place where children could play. Working with members of the neighborhood, vacant lots were found, consent gained from owners to allow them to be cleared, and equipment was built for three or four playgrounds. That effort ultimately dovetailed with community work led by the Rev. Russell Gilbert of Wells Memorial United Methodist Church to support struggling neighborhood residents, and Operation Shoestring was born. Focused on the neighborhoods bordering the southern end of Bailey Avenue and headquartered in the basement of Wells Church, Operation Shoestring very quickly began to fill critical needs identified by the local community.

Since then, Operation Shoestring has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the lives of neighborhood children and families while serving as a catalyst for bringing together people and resources from throughout our larger community to help create greater equity and opportunity.