rooted in compassion

About Us

The Jesse Tree fights to improve the lives of people in the Galveston-Gulf Coast region by connecting those in need with available resources. Our goals are to reduce duplication of effort across agencies and to integrate healthcare, social services and ministerial assistance.

We think of our work as a tree with three rings: the innermost layer is the service we provide directly through our food pantries, health programs and financial assistance. The second ring is our role in connecting people to our partner agencies like Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and many others. And the outermost ring is assisting our clients achieve self-sufficiency by ongoing services like food stamps and Medicaid.

By the Numbers

  • 78,000 calls fielded yearly by our phone helpline
  • 5,000 people entered into our case-management system annually
  • 800 people enrolled in the chronic conditions management program each year
  • $400,000 in medical supplies and equipment given or loaned to uninsured individuals
  • $2 million saved by Galvestonians through our prescription drug program
  • 200 food boxes regularly delivered to senior residents
  • 10-20 tons of produce given weekly at our Food Fairs

History

The Jesse Tree, a convening organization, was founded in Galveston, Texas, in 1995. Choosing the name from The Book of Isaiah (11:1): "A shoot will come up from the stem of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit," the founders were a group of individuals, led by Ted Hanley, at the invitation of Reverend Charles Millikan of the Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church.

The group gathered as a "think-tank" to explore options for better use of emerging technology to address dwindling local resources, and to provide direction to those attempting to find help in the community. It was the hope of these founders that the roots of The Jesse Tree would be works of mercy, through which those seeking help would be uplifted, their dignity restored and their independence and self-sufficiency re-established.

In September 2008, Hurricane Ike came ashore at Galveston, Texas. Amidst the destruction, The Jesse Tree lost $2.5 million in buildings, vehicles, appliances, equipment, food and supplies. Despite its own loss, The Jesse Tree served as a first-responder to the needs of county residents due to the generosity of The Looper Family Foundation, which provided emergency funding to re-open The Jesse Tree. The community has generously responded to the “One in a Million Campaign” to renew the hope and compassion that is The Jesse Tree.