Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jazz Mills. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jazz, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?
The biggest trend I see in my industry is the lack of consistency. Typically, people care about helping those in need around the holidays and natural disasters. However, to really move the dial, you have to work hard every day. You have the make the goal priority. It is extremely labor intensive to provide someone with nuanced care…especially someone who is experiencing homelessness. You cannot provide nuanced care to someone you don’t have a rapport with. You can’t have a rapport without trust, and you can’t build trust without consistency.
Jazz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jazz Mills and I am the Director of Operations at Free Lunch, a collective of creatives who provide meal support to those experiencing homelessness. Currently, we are serving the Camp Esperanza community 7 days a week. When Covid hit, I was one of the many who lost their job. I had been working as an event producer and was used to staying busy and being around a lot of people. I think my desire to feel useful and my addiction to human connection is why I started making meals for the unhoused. I was doing it very casually until I found out that my friend, Carrie Fussell-Bickley, had also been making food and passing it out in another part of town. We decided it would be easier if we joined forces. I had heard about an encampment in East Austin where there were over 100 residents living in a parking lot. We decided to start there with one meal a week. We started in May of 2020 and by February were up to 4 days a week. When the Texas freeze happened in 2021, we increased meal support to 7 days a week and have been doing so since then.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The main thing I have had to unlearn is that even if your intention is to help, that doesn’t mean you know the best way to do so. In order to properly serve the unhoused community, I had to be educated by them on what they really need and why they need it. Every single day is an opportunity to be educated.
Any advice for managing a team?
My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is that this should be of the highest priority. Your team’s wellbeing is directly tied to the efficacy of your business. It should be a symbiotic relationship. Communication, patience, and perspective are key.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.freelunchatx.com
- Instagram: Eryn Brooke https://www.instagram.com/erynbrooke/?hl=en,
Chelsie Rose Kern https://z-p42.www.instagram.com/chelsierosekern/?hl=en,
Ari Vinograd https://www.oursharedkitchen.org/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FREELUNCH.ATX
- Other: Free Lunch’s Instagram: @f_r_e_e_lunch