Jennifer Lopez, CEO of the Friends Association for Care & Protection of Children, is leaving her position to spend time with her granddaughter while focusing on her service as a commissioner at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, where she serves as chairman of the Mental Health and Justice Advisory Committee.

“Jennifer’s dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment have inspired all of us associated with Friends Association, ” said Yolanda Van de Krol, president of Friends Association’s board of directors. “Under her leadership, we have added critical new programs that, along with our existing programs, have positively transformed the lives of many facing homelessness in Chester County.

“Her impact will continue to be felt through the work of Friends Association.”

Lopez and the team she built accomplished significant organizational advancement during her nearly five years leading the organization.

This includes establishing the County’s Eviction Prevention Case Resolution Program, the County’s first Safe Home for women impacted by incarceration, and ensuring the continuation of the agency’s Family Center by securing over $1M for a renovation using trauma-informed design.

The newly renovated Family Center provides temporary housing for up to six families at a time and ensures their safe transition to permanent housing.

During her tenure, she increased the number of families served by the agency from 92 in her first year to 637 this year.

Lopez was instrumental in securing awards and grants from local and national industry leaders such as the United Way of Chester County, the PA Housing Finance Agency, and A New Way of Life (Safe Housing).

“Since January 2019, I have been honored to work toward ensuring children and their families have the safety of a home- a basic human right- and their dignity honored as part of a more just world. I am filled with gratitude and awe for my colleagues and board members at Friends and the heart they bring to our work, our fearless partners in our community, our donors who trust in the value of our work, and our resilient neighbors who fill me with hope.” – Jennifer Lopez, CEO

The Board of Directors has named the Chief Operating Officer, Robin Senss, Acting Director. The Board has formed a Search Committee and has engaged a consulting firm to assist in searching for Friends’ next Executive Director.

The Friends Association is a Chester County nonprofit focused on solutions to family homelessness for all.

Friends Associations’ innovative programs are focused on four key areas: preventing homelessness, providing emergency shelter, partnering with families to support their stability, and promoting systemic change.