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When April Johnson first connected with ForKids, she was searching for safety.
A survivor of domestic violence, stalking and financial abuse, April (pictured above, center) was raising two young sons while navigating repeated court filings, mounting legal expenses and the emotional toll of years of harassment. Despite maintaining employment, she struggled to find assistance because her circumstances did not always fit neatly into traditional definitions of homelessness or crisis.
“People would look at me and say, ‘You make this much money. You seem to be OK,'” April recalled. “But they didn’t see everything that was happening behind the scenes.”
ForKids helped April access housing support and provided something equally important: someone who listened.
Today, April is focused on healing and helping others do the same.
A talented poet and advocate, she has become a powerful voice for survivors of violence and exploitation. She’s also a member of the ForKids Alumni Board.
“April’s journey reminds us that resilience is not about avoiding hardship, it’s about finding the courage to keep moving forward despite it,” said Verneika Griffin, ForKids Alumni Program Coordinator. “She has transformed her lived experiences into purpose, advocacy, leadership and creating pathways of hope for others while continuing her own healing journey.”
April’s influence extends far beyond ForKids.
In May 2026, she presented at the 21st Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, sharing her perspective on how childhood trauma and unmet needs can create pathways to future victimization. Her presentation challenged professionals to think not only about intervention after harm occurs, but about prevention before it begins.
More recently, April represented ForKids at a Virginia Wesleyan University poetry event, where she shared her writing and personal journey through the power of spoken word.
As April reflects on her journey, one lesson stands out: for many years, she focused on helping everyone else. Now, she is learning how to show up for herself and prioritize her own healing.
“I felt like I was doomed then, but now I’m hopeful,” she said. “What a difference a year makes.”
Hear more of April’s story firsthand.
Pictured at top of the page: Dr. Craig Wansink, Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center at Virginia Wesleyan University; Thaler McCormick, CEO of ForKids, Bill Young, Chief Innovation Officer at ForKids; April Johnson; Angela Graciani, Chief of Education at ForKids; and Founding Artistic Directory of The Norfolk Street Choir Project Robert Shoup.