Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Brooks.
Hi Jordan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, and as a child, I remember trying to be helpful and considering others. In my life, I have experienced homelessness a few times, once while being a child. So, I know what it’s like to be without. I remember as a teenager, my mom’s best friend, and our neighbor, Ms. Jackie Tilford would always go to the soup kitchen once a month with our church, New Jerusalem Baptist Church. I was so intrigued to go, and she didn’t hesitate to take me. I can say, after the first time going, my life changed forever. I got to experience what it was like to serve others that didn’t know where their next meal was coming from, and it caused me to want to do it more. Fast forward to me being a young adult, I started volunteering for an organization in the city called The Love Pantry. It is led by Tracie Williams -Fairbanks. She had a program called the warming center, where she would team up with Pride Transportation, and they would send a bus downtown to pick up the homeless to bring them to her church to provide a warm place, hot meals, basic necessities, clothing, a movie to watch, etc. And I served under her for few years. Even to this day, I still try to help volunteer when her organization does something. To fast forward several years, I started going out on my own at 12:00 and 1:00 am, and I would buy 100 White Castle sliders, and other necessities, and I would go downtown to pass them out to the people that were sleeping on the streets. Which led to us launching The JoBro Foundation in 2018.
I am also a father and full-time gospel/ccm musician. And I attend Bible Believers Pentecostal Church in community of Avondale, where we are slated to open up our D.U.O food pantry in April in partnership with the Freestore foodbank.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road the whole way. Personally, I have experienced homelessness in my childhood and in adulthood twice. I believe that was the road that God had me on. I believe that you cannot truly help someone come out of a situation that you’ve never been through or experienced. Also, really trusting God with resources to provide for his people, which he always comes through. We are now at a point where we are getting well-established by forming partnerships and collaborations. So, I would say things are better now. I believe the more resources we have the more people we can help.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about The JoBro Foundation?
Where we meet the needs of the homeless, underserved, and substance dependent. Since our inception in 2018, we have provided meals and other essential needs (clothing, groceries, toiletries) to well over 8,000 people throughout the Tri-State area. We have accomplished this through our monthly outreach dinners to the homeless population of Greater Cincinnati. Our monthly Whole Foods® pick up/pop-up pantry and collaborations with other organizations help us to continue combating poverty in the community.
To help bring awareness to our cause, we would do a yearly fundraiser concert called SummerBash. As of recent, we have changed the format and name of the event to where it is not a fundraiser concert anymore but it is a community outreach event called D.U.O Live+.
What is D.U.O Live+ 23? I’m glad you asked!
D.U.O Simply means “Do Unto Others.” We exist to break the cycle of poverty in our community by providing resources, tools, and opportunities to those in need. We can change the world one person at a time.
D.U.O Live+ is a community-focused gathering aimed at making a large impact in the City of Cincinnati and surrounding areas. It is an opportunity for spiritual unity through music, prayer, and outreach.
What do we offer?
Hot Meals/Beverages (Non-Alcoholic)
Toiletries
Free Haircuts
Shelter
Health Screenings
Educational Resources
Employment Resources
Recovery Resources
Mental Health Resources
Government Assistance
Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to our core mission for D.U.O., we incorporate prayer, spoken words of encouragement from city leaders and clergy, and live inspirational music from local and national artists. Grammy Award Nominated artist Todd Dulaney is also slated to perform.
This will be a free event
Our event will be May 28, 2023, @ 5:00 pm
Location: Longworth Hall (parking lot)
700 W Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45203
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You are very limited in helping someone that does not want help.
The homeless are people too; they have feelings, ambitions, dreams as well as we do. They are no different from us, and we should treat them as such.
Sometimes the solution to someone’s situation is not easy for you or them. So, I’ve learned to have a little bit more grace and patience.
Everyone needs someone. Be willing to be that someone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thejobrofoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejobrofoundation/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100067396242036/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-brooks-a07940206
Image Credits
Natalie Washington
Jordan Wright
