Jerrod Nichols has packed a lot of accomplishments into his 30 years. He attended Arizona State University and earned a marketing degree. Interned at Make a Wish, A New Leaf and FEMA. Moved to Chicago to take a job with FEMA. Founded a coffee company, and an office cleaning company and a candle company, with the goal of hiring disabled individuals, military veterans and young men and women who age out of foster care. Married and now has a two-year-old daughter.
Jerrod and his two brothers grew up in foster care in Arizona, in the loving care of their maternal grandparents, where Jerrod says, “we were always taught to give back.” At seven years old Jerrod went to Royal Family Kids’ Camp for the first time and he was hooked.
Every summer for the next nine summers he attended Royal Family Kids’ Camp and then T.R.A.C. camp, and when he turned 18, Jerrod returned as a volunteer. “I have a thing about giving back,” adds Jerrod. “Kids in foster care need a familiar face – someone in their life to be consistent. I can relate to growing up in the system. It sucks.
The trick is figuring out how to get past the challenges and onto high school graduation.” Jerrod credits his dedicated grandparents, Michael Brewer and Hope & A Future for all of his success.
For Jerrod, the best thing about Royal Family Kids’ Camp and T.R.A.C. Camp is the personalized, one on one attention that campers receive. “Foster kids are not ‘cases’ at Hope & A Future, they’re kids who need support in their lives. The volunteers are not paid to be there. They are taking the time to be there to help kids.”
Because of the impact Hope & A Future made in his life, Jerrod is flying back to Arizona from his Chicago home to again volunteer at T.R.A.C. camp this summer. “Camp helped me learn how to make relationships, and understand what people need. I’m excited to give back to the organization that has been such a big part our family for so many years.”
Learn more about Jerrod’s ‘Phoenix Coffee Company” here.
