LEAKESVILLE — Mississippi LIFT is taking educational resources on the road as part of an effort to reach families in rural communities, including a recent stop in Greene County.
More than half of Mississippi children under age 5 live in rural areas, according to MS LIFT’s 2025 Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan. The organization is working to expand access to resources in rural and low-resourced areas through its Resource and Referral Network, including mobile units.
Jayden Duplessis, a program associate with MS LIFT’s mobile team, recently brought Unit 4 to the Leakesville Public Library, where families could access toys, books and learning materials.
Jayden Duplessis, a program associate with MS LIFT’s mobile team, interacts with children duringa Touch-a-Truck event Sept. 17, 2026, at the MS LIFT building in Pascagoula. Duplessis operates one of the organization’s mobile Resource and Referral units. Credit: Justin Glowacki/RHCJC“My goal is to reach out to those rural areas and set up more community events so they can know about the resources as well,” Duplessis said.
Duplessis said families can use MS LIFT’s lending library to check out toys, books and learning materials for children up to age 12 at no cost. Items can be borrowed for up to 14 days.
The Resource and Referral Network also provides families and child care professionals with access to services including printing, laminating and computers.
Duplessis joined MS LIFT in February and estimated that she has taken the mobile unit to more than 20 events. She said many families she meets are learning about the program for the first time.
An MS LIFT Resource and Referral mobile unit is parked outside the organization’s building inPascagoula during a Touch-a-Truck event Sept. 17, 2026. The mobile units travel to communities across Mississippi to connect families and child care providers with educational resources. Credit: Justin Glowacki/RHCJC“Some people know, most people don’t,” Duplessis said.
She said families are often surprised to learn what is available through the program.
“I love seeing … kids’ eyes brighten up to see all the toys and fun activities that we have,” Duplessis said. “I love to see the family members smile because they get very happy, like, ‘We never knew we had this resource available.’”
MS LIFT’s Resource and Referral Network also helps families find child care and other services and provides support and professional development for child care providers.
Duplessis said bringing the mobile units into communities can introduce families to resources they may otherwise not know about.
“I hope that they can take away the fun experience and hopefully just the warmth and love from actually knowing that you do have these resources available in your community,” she said.
Families can find upcoming MS LIFT activities and locations through the event calendar on the organization’s website.
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