By Sarah Williams

A group of feisty and friendly people makes up the organization called Just Folks. The unique name was the brainchild of its president, Mr. Curtis James, Jr. Like many others, he was sitting in Triangle Park one day just daydreaming, and out of his daydream came the name: they were all “Just Folks.” The other members liked it and decided to adopt it.

Just Folks was founded in 2004 by some people who were interested in
helping others. Besides Mr. James, the Board of Directors includes Linda
Jackson as Vice President of Administration; Ceretha (Bubbles) Griffin,
Vice President of Operations; Julia McDowell, Secretary; Francine
Griffith, Activities Director, and Donald Norris, Head of Security.

As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the folks of Just Folks do their own
leg work and fundraising, and they pride themselves on their ability to
reach the disenfranchised citizens of Asheville. They have worked with
the under-served since their beginning, helping people in crisis and
reaching out with support for single parents, especially at Christmas
time. They are a center of information for people who are often “out of
the loop,” either because they are not able to attend various public
meetings, or because they sometimes feel unwelcome when they do.

During Saturdays in the summer months, Just Folks hosts “A Festival in
the Park”; on Sundays, “Gospel in the Park,” and they encourage local
ministers come to the Block on Sundays to share the word of God. They
have sponsored a live band and hosted “Anniversary in the Park” for M
& M Heating and Cooling. And they have “adopted” Triangle Park as a
place deserving their care, attention, and support.

Just Folks looks forward to a bright future. They hope to expand
throughout the region. Their vision is to find a home base in a place
where they can help people, where they can continue being a center of
information, where homeless people can come to clean up in order to look
for jobs. They also hope to open a food pantry and a soup kitchen.

At heart, these caring community leaders want people to know that they
are “Just Folks” who want to make a positive difference in the
community. Should they do these things, they will sincerely be a blessed
organization.

Just Folks will host a Poor Man’s Supper from 3-7 p.m. December 17,
2011 in Triangle Park on South Market Street. Everyone is welcome.