Dominion Grant Will Aid Area’s Homeless Families

HAMPTON ROADS
ForKids has received a $20,000 grant from Dominion Virginia Power’s Dominion Foundation, to help break the cycle of homelessness. It’s part of Dominion’s $1 million commitment to help organizations that are meeting “critical community needs” with a focus on shelter, access to health care and food security. ForKids is one of 140 non-profit organizations in 13 states that received a Dominion Critical Community Needs grant in 2016.

“It’s an honor to support the ForKids organization in its mission to provide emergency shelter to local families in need, said Dominion Regional Director Max Bartholomew. “ForKids provides essential services that increase stability and improves lives.”

 ForKids has experienced explosive regional growth since the recession of 2008, as more families living in poverty fell into homelessness. Since it’s founding in 1988, ForKids has become a regional leader in addressing family homelessness, known for developing programs designed to achieve long-term stability for families and a lifetime of success for children.

ForKids CEO Thaler McCormick stated, “Our mission to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children is the driving force behind our innovative and results-focused programs.”

 The goal of breaking the cycle pushes ForKids programs beyond simply providing shelter, but also wrap around services in housing, critical services and educational interventions. Last year, ForKids helped over 1,400 parents and children take their first important steps toward stability.

 “This $20,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation will help us provide the first step in our model, emergency shelter, preventing children from spending another night with no place to call home,” said McCormick.