Melvin “Kurt” Clemons

Kurt Clemons was the chairperson and coordinator for the Homeless Stand Downs held in 2006 and 2007 for the city of Norfolk. There is a stand down planned for August of this year and again Mr. Clemons will be the coordinator of job services. At the most recent stand down, held this winter, over 40 veterans were registered for job service. All received a meal and support services were provided from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Disability Rehabilitation. Many other agencies were in attendance to meet the needs of the homeless.

He and his team received the Governor’s Award for outstanding customer service and volunteerism for assisting the homeless from Virginia Governor, Tim Kaine. He was awarded during a ceremony held at the Department of Motor Vehicles on May 17, 2007.

On June 15, 2007 Mr. Clemons participated in the Sleep in the Park at the Town Point Park in Norfolk to raise awareness and money for the furnishing of the recently completed Gosnold Apartments for homeless adults. The event started at Friday, 7:00 pm and ended on Saturday, 7:00 am. Over 60 local business leaders from the 2007 class of Lead Hampton Road, a training program of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce participated in the special event. Norfolk Mayor Fraim, Katie Kitchin, Norfolk Director, Office of End Homelessness, and April Woodard from TV inside Edition opened the event to follow with the local business leaders during role playing as a homeless individual with the local service providers. I interviewed five business leaders, provided job services, and referred them to other partners for services. This was an eye opener for most of the local business leaders. As of Friday night, over $40,000.00 was raised for the Gosnold Apartments.

He coordinated the food drive for the Norfolk office for the USO in December of 2007. He coordinated the food drive for the VETHOUSE to provide a holiday meal for the Vets of Thanksgiving of 2007. In previous years, he has spear headed and/or participated in food drives and blanket drives for the local shelters.