‘We Can Be a Beacon of Hope’

Staff Spotlight: Johnnae Campbell, Lead Intake Specialist

Throughout her workday, Johnnae Campbell talks with people facing some of the biggest challenges of their lives. They’ve fallen behind on rent or utility payments and may soon be evicted. They aren’t sure where they will sleep that night or how they will feed their children.

On an average day, Campbell, lead intake specialist with ForKids, may talk with dozens of people, each facing a different, deeply personal crisis. The most challenging part? For many callers, there are not enough community resources to meet their needs. When that happens, their frustration and sadness often fall squarely on people like Campbell.

“I do a lot of active listening, trying to think creatively and logically about what resources are available to each individual,” said Campbell, who has worked at ForKids for two years and has a background in human services. “It’s not easy, but I know that we can be a beacon of hope for many people.”

That’s why the success stories are so important, she said.

Earlier this year, Campbell learned that a single mother who called the Housing Crisis Hotline secured emergency housing through ForKids and later moved into stable housing with her children.

“It’s so good to know that my work is helping people,” she said. “I hold onto that feeling. It keeps me motivated.”

Campbell said more resources would make her job easier and help more people. Those resources often come directly from community agencies, area nonprofits, faith groups and local organizations.

“We can never have enough community partners involved in the hotline,” she said. “Those partnerships really sustain us.”