“THRIVE Peninsula is a faith-based coalition helping families through hardship. Annually, the agency serves more than 15,000 people, but heightened requests for help have left a gap for unserved families in crisis. Support from The Blocker Foundation has allowed THRIVE to increase capacity during a time when inflation has rocked the fiscal balance of families who live paycheck to paycheck. Those on the verge of eviction or utility cut-off can receive emergency financial assistance to maintain stability while receiving short or long-term financial coaching to help them overcome their present hurdle and reach their financial goals. Healthy, fresh foods are given to all recipients through our grocery distribution program. Together, we are building healthy foundations for Peninsula families in crisis.”

“The Up Center has provided critical prevention, intervention, and support services in South Hampton Roads for nearly 140 years. Today, we are working hard to respond to a significant gap in community health, improving access to quality mental health counseling for children, couples, individuals, and families. Support from partners like The Blocker Foundation allows us to lead the way by launching a Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health and Wellness, an innovative workforce development initiative providing outstanding professional training and support for future mental health professionals. Thanks to The Blocker Foundation, more people in our community will have access to quality professional mental health resources in the years to come.”  

“Since 1986, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) has been feeding the hungry and housing the homeless in Virginia Beach. We will be rebuilding our outdated and inefficient campus allowing JCOC to dramatically increase the number of people led out of hunger and homelessness. The new 20,644 sq. ft. building includes 38 affordable housing units. As we overcome inflation, on-going effects of the pandemic, and the escalating cost of rent, the need for affordable housing is more urgent than ever. The generosity of The Blocker Foundation will allow JCOC to provide help, hope and healing in an even more robust way. Thank you!”

“Thanks to the leadership of The Blocker Foundation, Virginia’s Community Colleges are thrilled to launch a transformational initiative to better support parenting students and their children. The College Attainment for Parent Students (CAPS) program will be the first effort in Hampton Roads that simultaneously removes barriers for parenting students and improves early childhood access and quality for their young children. By providing coaching, mentoring, emergency funds, tuition assistance, childcare funding, and additional children’s learning resources, the CAPS program will truly represent a two-generation anti-poverty solution that improves the employment and income opportunities for parents and the early childhood experience for their children. This pilot program will put Hampton Roads at the forefront of an effort to create a national blueprint for how policymakers, states and colleges can better serve parent students. This effort is only possible because of the vision and leadership of The Blocker Foundation. THANK YOU!!”