James M. Cox Foundation Awards $250,000 Grant to ForKids

Chesapeake, VA – The new ForKids Center for Children and Families (CCF) is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks in part to a $250,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. On March 5, the nonprofit accompanied by local Cox Communications leadership, board members and major donors celebrated the occasion with a beam signing and raising.

To kick-off the celebration, children enrolled in the ForKids Education Program along with other guests signed a 3,400-pound, 32-foot beam that was raised on-site and will be integrated into the framework of the CCF. While the children enjoyed a construction lesson led by the subcontractors on the project, business leaders and the mayor gave remarks.

J.D. Myers, II, region manager and senior vice president of Cox in Virginia, presented the check on behalf of the Foundation.

“We strongly believe in giving back to the communities we serve,” said J.D. Myers, II. “Cox has a long history of supporting ForKids over the years and we’re thrilled they’re the recipient of this grant. We’re proud to do our part to help set these children and families on the path to positive, fulfilling lives.”

The James M. Cox Foundation provides philanthropic support for nonprofit organizations in communities where Cox does business. This gift in support of The Campaign ForKids will help incorporate cutting edge technology at the CCF to bridge the digital divide for children and families experiencing homelessness. To date The Campaign ForKids has raised $23.3 million toward its goal of $25 million.

“A big goal of this project has been to bridge the digital divide for our children, who often lack computers and access to the internet,” said ForKids CEO Thaler McCormick. “The James M. Cox Foundation is making this a reality by supporting digital access for the new Center. It is an amazing gift to our families.”

Located in historic South Norfolk, the CCF is expected to be completed in early 2021 and will serve as the ForKids corporate and regional service headquarters. More than 100 staff members from five sites will be consolidated in the 60,000+ square-foot facility. Additionally, the location will include a family shelter which will increase the agency’s capacity to shelter families and children by 50%.

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About The James M. Cox Foundation 
The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas including: conservation and environment; early childhood education; empowering families and individuals for success; and health.  

About ForKids
ForKids, inc. is a non-profit agency founded 31 years ago with a mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children. ForKids has evolved into one of the largest service providers to homeless families in Virginia. ForKids’ programs assist over 290 families and 580 children each day, touching the lives of over 70,000 individuals each year. The agency’s 100 employees provide housing, education and wrap around services for families experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. For more information, please visit www.forkids.org, call (757) 622-6400 or follow on Facebook.

About Cox
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

Follow us on Twitter at @CoxVA.