A Brief History

The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) was established in 1986 upon serving its first meal to 10 homeless individuals. Originally, the major population served were the chronically homeless, veterans and single men suffering from substance abuse and/or mental illness.

Thanks to $292,000 in funds received from private grants as well as support from state and local government, the JCOC purchased property at 1053 Virginia Beach Boulevard near Birdneck Road. There were two existing buildings on the property; one was converted into dorms for women and families, the other provided beds for single men.

During the summer of 1990, in response to community needs, a new 3200 sq. ft. building was constructed as the Frank Bragg Dining Hall to prepare and serve a daily dinner.  Partnerships with over 100 volunteer organizations, synagogues, churches, civic groups and individuals, allow the JCOC to serve over 100 meals 365 days a year to current residents as well as neighbors in need.

In 1992, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater offered to serve dinner on Christmas Day and has been doing so ever since. In the spring of 1993, Temple Emanuel asked to become a regular in serving daily meals to the homeless, and we thus became the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center.

In 1997, the 3600 sq. ft. Blumenthal-Schor Education Building was built to offer a fully-equipped computer lab, library, workout facility and meeting rooms for classes and various community groups.

For over two decades, we have expanded services in response to increasing numbers of homeless individuals and their diverse needs. While still serving the chronically homeless, the JCOC has evolved into a full-service recovery center for 50 residents from single men and women to couples with or without children and single parents with children.

We are expanding to become a part of the solution to the affordable housing crisis in Virginia Beach. With the support of federal and state grants, private and foundation donations, we are currently building transitional and permanent affordable housing for homeless adults with disabilities and homeless veterans.

We appreciate your support for over two decades of uplifting our neighbors and friends. We hope we can count on you in the future.