JCOC’s History

The Beginning
In 1986, faith-based organizations in Virginia Beach came together to help people around the oceanfront who were hungry. In the beginning, meals were served only on Saturdays but there was such a need that very quickly dinners were being served Monday through Saturday. On July 13, 1995, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) became the official name of the organization.

With funding from the private sector, state, and local government the property at 1053 Virginia Beach Blvd. was purchased and during the summer of 1990, the Frank Bragg Dining Hall was constructed.

The Present
JCOC partners with dozens of volunteer groups, places of worship, civic groups and individuals, to serve more than 100,000 free meals worth of food annually to our neighbors in need!  We could not do this without dedicated volunteers who give so generously of their time and talent. Life changing connections are made with more than 100 guests coming to Community Dinner every day. In addition to prepared meals, JCOC operates a Food Pantry and a Food Box Program that provides free groceries to hundreds of households struggling with food insecurity. These Hunger Relief Programs prevent homelessness from happening for some and reoccuring for others.

JCOC houses 88 men and women experiencing homelessness at our Emergency Shelter located at the Housing Resource Center (HRC) on Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. In addition, we operate a Transitional Housing Program for 16 veterans experiencing homelessness and a permanent supportive housing program for 8 chronically homeless individuals with disabilities at our West Lane apartment building. We also have a Rapid Rehousing Program that partners with area landlords and property managers to find permanent and affordable housing throughout Hampton Roads for men and women experiencing homelessness. Rapid Rehousing clients receive on-going services for up to two years. 

Building Help Hope Healing
JCOC’s new Macon & Joan Brock House on our newly named Betty B Chidester Campus (1053 Virginia Beach Blvd.) will continue to fuel economic and social progress in the low- and moderate-income community surrounding us. In October 2024, JCOC demolished the four buildings on campus to construct one 3-story structure. The first floor contains The Todd A.J. Walker Community Room, commercial kitchen, space for food pantry, and administrative offices.

In response to Virginia Beach’s affordable housing crisis, the second and third floors have a total of 38 single occupancy efficiency apartments. The new space will be used to continue to provide educational opportunities and services for our clients and the community in the areas of tele-health, financial and job training and NA/AAA support. Construction is expected to be complete in Spring 2026.