Jennifer Holmes Receives 2025 Norfolk Community U.P.L.I.F.T. Award

Jennifer Holmes Honored with 2025 Norfolk Community U.P.L.I.F.T. Award

We are honored to recognize Jennifer Holmes, CEO of Survivor Ventures and Re-Entry Director, for receiving the 2025 Norfolk Community U.P.L.I.F.T. Award on September 20, 2025.

The U.P.L.I.F.T. Awards, representing Unity, Public Service, Leadership, Innovation, Friendship, and Teamwork, celebrate individuals and organizations that uplift their communities in meaningful and lasting ways. Each year, the City of Norfolk’s Department of Neighborhood Engagement gathers nominations from across the community and honors recipients whose work has made a significant impact on the lives of Norfolk residents.

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Jennifer embodies each of these values in her work. As CEO of Survivor Ventures, she leads a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering survivors of human trafficking through economic opportunities, advocacy, and community partnerships. In her role as Re-Entry Director, she extends this vision by supporting survivors navigating incarceration and re-entry, ensuring they have access to resources, stability, and the opportunity for a fresh start.

Over the past year, Jennifer has not only advanced critical re-entry programming but has also strengthened collaborations across Norfolk, working with civic leaders, community organizations, and justice partners to create sustainable pathways of support. Her leadership is rooted in compassion and innovation, transforming the way survivors and returning citizens are received and supported in the community.

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Receiving the Norfolk Community U.P.L.I.F.T. Award is a testament to Jennifer’s tireless dedication and her unwavering belief in the power of unity and collaboration. Through her leadership, countless individuals have been uplifted, given hope, and reconnected to opportunity.

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We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of Jennifer’s vision, leadership, and heart for Survivors and Norfolk community.