THE PROGRAM
For Jordan Crouthamel, preventing homelessness often comes down to timing. A missed paycheck, a medical bill, or a sudden car repair can push a working family to the brink of eviction. As Senior Program Manager at ForKids, Crouthamel is helping lead innovative efforts across Hampton Roads to keep families stable, children in school, and futures intact.
A lifelong Norfolk resident, Crouthamel joined ForKids six years ago after serving as a youth pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk. What began decades ago in Ocean View as a small coalition of churches responding to local homelessness, ForKids has grown into a $15 million nonprofit employing 150 staff members and serving approximately 75,000 people each year.
Education is a central part of ForKids’ approach. The organization employs full-time credentialed teachers who work with children experiencing homelessness to help them overcome learning gaps and catch up academically. Mentoring programs and a recently built teen center (used daily by about 30 teens) provide additional support. Although every child entering the program arrives below grade level, 88% are promoted to the next grade, highlighting the effectiveness of these interventions.
For families in crisis, the ForKids Housing Crisis Hotline receives nearly 45,000 calls annually. When the typical 50 - 75 rental openings become available, more than 3,000 families call seeking help. The organization also operates a 135-bed shelter designed specifically to accommodate large families who cannot be housed in traditional shelters. These facilities remain full and provide immediate necessities such as food and diapers to families in crisis.
Families who participate in ForKids programs experience notable improvements in economic stability. Last year, 89% of the 629 families served by ForKids successfully secured housing. Participants in economic mobility programs also make significant financial progress, paying down nearly $20,000 in debt on average while increasing their annual income by a similar amount.
Crouthamel also highlighted the Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot, which works with landlords and apartment complexes to prevent evictions before they happen. By providing rapid assistance, the program helps families stay housed at an average cost of $2,000, far less than the $25,000 typically required to rehouse a family after eviction.
ForKids is active in research and advocacy, regularly hosting elected officials and pushing for legislative changes to reduce barriers for low-income families. Through these efforts, ForKids works to influence policy and create systemic change in the fight against poverty and homelessness.
THE MEETING
Armistead Williams led us in music, accompanied by Bob Heely singing Let there be Peace on Earth and America the Beautiful. Gary Bonnewell gave the invocation, and Bob Heely served as greeter.
We wished a happy birthday to rotarians with March birthdays (Chick, Lynn, Bob P, Sally and Marty) and celebrated Rotary anniversaries (John McClemore was the chart topper with 37 years). President Dave Duncan provided the following announcements:
- Mar 17th – Next Board Meeting 11:00am at Town Point Club
- Mar 19th – Discover Rotary Event at Wasserhund Brewing 5:30pm
- Mar 24th – Companion Club meeting
- Dave recognized Angela Kerns for her dedicated work as the chair of the club’s Finance Committee for many years. Stephen Jones is taking over that role.
- Michelle Nettles announced the club has received 2 applications for the 4 slots available for this summer’s Tiel exchange. Please get your application in as soon as possible.
