Community Programs

Career Jumpstart: This committee works with their community partner to ideate, plan, and implement one program per quarter for the families of Forward Foundation. These programs are in-person and hosted at JLR HQ, which gives us a space for food, parents, and their children. Forward Foundation works with single parents who don’t qualify for government assistance but had a recent life event that left them needing help. There is no set age range, or gender. Our programs vary but currently are focused in the professional and personal development space.

Cooking with JLR: This committee partners with Shalom Farms and the YWCA to connect women served by the YWCA with locally-grown produce, food boxes with nutritious ingredients, recipes, and essential kitchen tools and supplies.

Done in a Day: This committee connects with community partners to plan single day and ongoing short projects, in order to offer service and engagement within the Richmond area. Examples of community organizations:

  • Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School
  • Bon Secours Evelyn D. Reinhart Guest House
  • Doorways
  • Family Lifeline
  • FeedMore
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • Peter Paul Development Center/Richmond Promise Neighborhood
  • Richmond Public Schools
  • Joseph’s Villa
  • Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
  • YMCA of Greater Richmond/Bright Beginnings

Women RISE (Resources, Inspiration, Support, and Empowerment): This committee works in conjunction with REAL LIFE to connect with women in the greater Richmond community who need female comradery, education around infant and child care, and a support network as they navigate the transition from incarceration, addiction issues, housing insecurity, and/or poverty. This program will help to empower underserved women and provide resources, education, and conversation around topics that are most applicable.