Programs

The JCOC is dedicated to offering people the opportunity to lead a productive, healthy and happy lifestyle.

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Housing & Rehabilitation

The Center has dorm-style accommodations for 50 single men, women and families. The policy of the JCOC requires each resident to work towards change in lifestyle—to make the change from homelessness caused by substance abuse, mental illness, lack of job skills or just unfortunate circumstances to a productive lifestyle. Access to substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling and job training is offered to each resident. 

Thanks to federal, state and city funding, as well as partnerships with private funding sources, we are building affordable housing in the form of apartment-style units designed for either Transitional or Permanent Supportive Housing use. 

Frank Bragg Dining Hall

One of our objectives is to feed the homeless and indigent a good wholesome meal once a day. The Frank Bragg Dining Hall serves just that, 365 days a year, to an average of 100 people daily and more than 35,000 meals annually. The meal is served to residents of the JCOC, as well as many families and individuals in the neighborhood who are in need. Many people have avoided becoming homeless because of funds they have saved by eating at the dining hall. The dining hall also maintains a food pantry, which is available to families in need. Each night, one of more than 100 churches, synagogues, organizations and individuals supporting the JCOC provide, prepare and serve the meal.

To make all this possible, we also partner with the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.

Kids’ Club                

In 1995, the JCOC started an after-school program that matches an adult volunteer with an at-risk child from local elementary schools in a one-on-one mentoring relationship. The tutors and children meet once a week to read, tell stories, write, play learning games, develop long-range projects and create a portfolio, all while fostering the child’s developmental and school-related skills. 

Kids’ Club places emphasis on promoting the appreciation of reading skills, expanding written and storytelling skills and instilling an appreciation of studying for success in school. More than 30 at-risk children from local elementary schools participate in JCOC Kids’ Club each week.

       “A hundred years from now it will not matter what your bank account was, the kind of house you lived in, or the car you drove, but the world may be different because you gave from your heart and helped a child.”                                                                                                                         Forest Whitcraft

The Blumenthal-Schor Education Program

The education facility enables the JCOC to meet the education needs of the Center’s residents as well as the low-income residents in the neighborhood. We require residents who have not completed high school to be tested and begin working toward taking the GED test. Volunteer tutors assist residents with job training, life-skill training, computer skills and classes in GED preparation. A well-equipped library offers resource materials to assist in studies. 

AA/NA meetings, church services, Sunday School and bible studies are also held regularly in the facility. 

Computer Lab

Our computer lab offers classes for residents to practice the skills they have learned, including writing resumes and cover letters, personal and business correspondence, and communicating via email with friends, family and prospective employers. The lab is available to JCOC residents as well as homeless and community members.