Joe Jackson sits on a short retaining wall strumming his guitar and singing softly as passersby go in and out of a local store, a derby-like hat bottom-side up a few yards in front of him gathering donations.

He says he’d retired from the military and an engineering job, once toured the U.S. and Europe playing music and also was married with a house.

True or not, time certainly hasn’t been kind to the 60-something lanky man wearing a veterans hat with a knot in a game wrist and a gap in the middle of his bottom gum where teeth had been.

“I was on the streets for two years,’’ he said. “It was the hardest time of my life. It’s a screwed up world. People would look at you funny.’’

Jackson, an alias, was a lone wolf while homeless. He avoided camps, not trusting others and chose to “be alone.’’ He slept in doorways, behind businesses, wherever he could find solace.

He eventually reconnected with family and now has a permanent home and his stringed instrument to help him make some money.

“At least I can eat better,’’ he said.

Reconnecting the homeless population with family members is one way to get people off the street and out of camps, according to the city’s Director of Community Development Scott Erwin.

Jackson did that without seeking assistance from community shelters or through city programs. Others aren’t so fortunate, and that’s where places like First Stop come in.

The city partnered with First Stop in the early 2000s to help those needing critical services and support.

“It’s about making sure someone on the street has an opportunity to get shelter and get their lives turned around,’’ Erwin said.

At a recent City Council meeting, the board approved $1.3 million in funds out of an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) grant to enlarge the First Stop complex at 206 Stokes St. NW.

The money will be used to expand the building as First Stop seeks to empower the homeless and start them on a path to self-sustained living. It’s Outreach Team’s case managers visit the nearly dozen camps in the area and also see “clients’’ at the building on Stokes St.

“The process for many individuals toward independent living can be very long,’’ said Jennifer Geist, who has been First Stop’s Executive Director for just over a year. “Many in the homeless community have significant barriers and obstacles they need to overcome in order to live independently. These barriers include addictions, mental health issues, lack of income, lack of life skills, etc.’’

First Stop began as a collaboration between the city and Interfaith Mission Service to assist what is currently becoming an ever-growing homeless population in Huntsville.

Other agencies involved include Catholic Center of Concern, Community Action Partnership, Family Services Center, Harris Home for Children, North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless and Thrive.

The Salvation Army and Downtown Rescue Mission also offer shelter.

While First Stop makes field visits, the office is open five days a week at the following times:

Day Center:

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Breakfast 8:30 a.m., Lunch 12 p.m.
Showers 9 a.m.– 12 p.m.
Laundry 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Case Management:

Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. (walk-ins)
Monday-Thursday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (appointment only)

Donations:

Monday-Friday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

First Stop (firststop.org, 256-533-3391) asks that donations such as meals be brought to the complex instead of directly to the campsites.

Other case management services include helping clients get vital records, assistance with finding housing and filling out job and food stamp applications, assistance getting prescription medications, mental health services, assessments and evaluations, therapy sessions, telehealth sessions with a psychiatrist, physical health services, wound and burn treatment, blood pressure checks and vaccines.

From January through May, First Stop case managers helped 22 homeless individuals move into self-sufficient housing.

“Once an individual moves into their own place, our case managers keep working with them for up to two years years,’’ Geist said. “Our in-home visits are designed to continue to provide support to the individual and assess how they are doing and address any issues that may be arising.’’