Our Founder

Leon Jackson, Founder of Project Point Five

Leon Jackson

Founder & Executive Director, Project Point Five Inc.

Leon was born in Independence, LA, and was raised on a plantation in Blairstown, LA by his great aunt. He entered the U.S. Army in 1981 and served until July 2003, when he retired to North Carolina. Leon worked for NC Works Career Center for fourteen years — as Workforce Investment Act Case Manager, Veterans Employment Representative, Ex Offender Specialist, Employer Relations Specialist, and served on the Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Skill Development team.

Leon went back to school to earn his second bachelor's degree in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse. He currently works as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Sanford, NC.

Leon retired from the Army and began working for the State of N.C. It was there that God birthed Project Point Five in Leon. Every day Leon encountered men that were wounded, incomplete, and missing pieces that would allow them to flourish.

His heart felt a tug for an underserved population of male ex-offenders. Leon started a pilot program meeting Friday night from 6 to 8 to meet with men in need. From 2009 to 2013, the results spoke for themselves:

419
Ex-offenders served
133
Meetings held
73
Entered employment
11
Entered training

Additional outcomes included 5 men obtaining training credentials and 2 becoming entrepreneurs — proof that with the right support, transformation is possible.

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them who are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient to all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 · King James Version

Leon discovered through this program that not only men, but young men needed services. Project Point Five — where Point Five stands for (.5 + .5 = 1 the whole) — no longer missing and broken but rather whole. Changing our Community One at a Time: Establishing a Firm Foundation, Stability, Character, and Knowledge.

Leon has also served his broader community through:

  • Project Safe Neighborhood Committee
  • Johnson-Lee-Harnett Community Action Committee
  • Disabled American Veterans Adjutant
  • Harnett County Veterans Treatment Court — Mentor
  • National Night Out Participant
  • Western Harnett Lions

Paving a path to community wholeness.

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