Coronavirus in the 757: How to help and get help

March 12, 2020
BY
Sarah Hill
Coronavirus in the 757: How to help and get help

Safety precautions preventing the spread of COVID-19 can have unfortunate side effects. Although these moves are strategic and essential to keep the virus from spreading, cancelling events, closing workplaces, and shutting schools can lead to new or worsening cases of food, housing, or income insecurity.

But, if there’s one thing the 757 is rich in, it’s caring neighbors and resources. Here’s a list of resources available in our area, and some ways to help.

If you have anything to add to this list, please comment on our facebook page or email Branding Chair Sarah Darrow at SarahHillDarrow@gmail.com

If you need help for your business:

Hampton Roads Chamber COVID-19 Business Resource Guide 

Hampton Roads Chamber COVID-19 Business Recovery Guide

If you need food for your school aged children:

Portsmouth: From Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, and from Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27, the City of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Public Schools are partnering to provide food program services for Pre-K through 12th grade students. All meals will consist of bagged food for pick-up only (i.e. no eating at the sites). One meal per child who MUST be physically present to receive a meal.

Portsmouth Public Schools will serve breakfast from 8–9 a.m. and Lunch from Noon to 1 p.m. at the following sites:

The City of Portsmouth will serve Lunch from Noon to 2 p.m. and Dinner from 5–7p.m. at the following sites:

  • Social Services Building 1701 High Street
  • Neighborhood Facility Recreation Center 900 Elm Ave
    Cavalier Manor Recreation Center 404 Viking Street
  • J.E. Parker Recreation Center (2430 Turnpike Road

For additional information, call the Portsmouth Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at (757) 393-8481.

For other school district accommodations, please click here. 

If you need financial help:

Please visit 757resources.org. There you can find resources for food, housing, childhood and maternity, inmate and re-entry, legal and public safety, education, employment, health including mental health, senior, disability, housing, veteran and military, clothing and household goods, and violence intervention.

To check into government benefits for which you may qualify including energy, food, and healthcare assistance, visit CommonHelp.

If you are unable to leave your home due to quarantine or existing illness:

Fill out this form and we’ll try to help connect you to local community members who can help.

If you are a college student:

U-haul is making their services free or extremely discounted for students who need to move or store their belongings. Visit their website or contact them for details.

Check in with your university’s dean of students, and see about food assistance. College students are often prone to food insecurity and there’s no shame in asking for help.

If you are looking for remote work opportunities:

Check out this list to connect with resources and find some possibilities.

If you would like to help:

tHRive’s community partner of the year is Samaritan House. They are in need of cleaning supply kits. These are difficult to come by now, but if you can spare some disinfecting supplies they’d be greatly appreciated. They also need air mattresses and pumps. You can drop off donations at their office in Virginia Beach, located at 2620 Southern Boulevard.
Their specific needs include:

  • Hand Sanitizer (minimum of 60% alcohol)
  • Aloe
  • Clorox Wipes (35 – 50 count as they are small and will fit inside of the bins.)
  • Alcohol
  • Lysol Spray

The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is starting to see declines in food donations, and needs volunteers for their packing and sorting facility as well as their mobile food banks for distribution. Visit their website or call Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Ponce at 757-596-7188 to set up a time to volunteer. Financial assistance is always welcome Each dollar you donate provides 4 meals. You can donate online at their website.

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is kindly requesting for your help with:

The Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) offers a variety of assistance including emergency services. You can help them by volunteering or making a donation.

Union Mission Community Services also provides emergency services and care for people seeking shelter or a meal. You can donate supplies or funds, in addition to many other ways to support their mission.

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia is your connection to help with Meals on Wheels, which provides food for home-bound seniors. As the aging population is at particular risk, you may wish to consider supporting this organization by making a donation.

The Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center is desperately seeking people to foster or adopt animals as they made the difficult decision to operate without volunteer help. Visit them at 5585 Sabre Rd in Norfolk. Adoption fees have been discounted to $20 through Sunday, and animal reclaim fees will be waived until the end of the city’s closure.

This is just a start. If you know of any resources available or have anything to add, please comment on our facebook page or email Branding Chair Sarah Darrow at SarahHillDarrow@gmail.com. Thank you!

February 25, 2020
BY
Sarah Hill
tHRive Announces Samaritan House as their 2020 Community Partner

tHRive, the young professional program of the Hampton Roads Chamber, is pleased to announce Samaritan House as its organization of the year. A crucial part of tHRive’s mission is to invest in the future of our region by facilitating young professional engagement through community involvement with local nonprofits and volunteer opportunities. This year, tHRive will be volunteering, advocating and fundraising for Samaritan House throughout their regular events. Members can sign up to attend the March 3 kickoff event and learn more at ypthrive.org/events.

Robin Gauthier, the Executive Director for Samaritan House shared her thoughts on the partnership. She said, “Samaritan House has been helping victims of violence in our community for 35 years. The continued success of our mission relies on the generosity of our community and local professionals like tHRive. We are grateful that tHRive selected Samaritan House as their nonprofit for 2020.”

The mission of Samaritan House is to foster personal safety, growth and self-sufficiency in adults and their children through freedom from sexual and domestic violence, human trafficking and homelessness. They own and operate 14 safe houses for emergency shelter for individuals and families fleeing violence and those at risk of losing their homes. Clients receive support through case management, counseling, victim advocacy, nutrition assistance, transportation, access to medical care and vocational training. They also have a children’s program, which works with youth to establish healthy relationships, build self-confidence and break the cycles of violence.

“We’re so excited to partner with the Samaritan House for 2020,” says Amanda Green, tHRive’s Regional Engagement Chair. “There will be several ways for young professionals to get involved with our efforts including hands-on volunteer opportunities and fundraising events. We can’t wait to see all we are able to accomplish.”

“The fact that tHRive designated Samaritan House as their charity for 2020 is exciting and humbling. Members of tHRive are committed to influencing change for our neighbors in need through leadership, financial support, service projects and being the voice for the voiceless in Hampton Roads,” says Tom Higgins, Samaritan House Development Director.

Lauren Roberts, tHRive’s Director of Fundraising, added that “partnering with the Samaritan House as our Organization of the Year is a wonderful way for the members of tHRive to make a major impact on the community! The Samaritan House does essential work in our region and we will be able to support them via volunteer power and with financial assistance through all we have planned for 2020.”

tHRive’s past community partners have included the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Virginia, and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Last year tHRive raised $5,000 for CHKD, and this year tHRive’s financial goal is to raise $7,570 for Samaritan House.

tHRive is a program of the Hampton Roads Chamber created by a small group of diverse young professionals all driven to provide a platform to advance and empower millennials in our region. tHRive has numerous signature events throughout the year and various monthly events spread across the region. These events will promote an attractive and dynamic community by engaging in the development of the region, and will focus on tHRive’s three main goals: Professional Development, Cultivating Relationships, and Community Engagement. Visit www.YPtHRive.org. Like us on Facebook at YPtHRive and follow us on Twitter @YPtHRive.

February 15, 2020
BY
Sarah Hill
Hampton Roads Young Professionals Learn How to Optimize their Financial Futures

Over 30 millennials gathered to take charge! Of their financial future, that is. tHRive held its first Impact Talk of 2020 on Thursday, February 6 at Gather in Norfolk. It was hosted by Heiner Kessler of ABNB Federal Credit Union. Kessler is an Investment Advisor who is well versed in all aspects of financial planning including initiating IRAs, establishing term insurance, income planning in retirement, and more. The topic of Kessler’s speech was, “Take Charge of Your Financial Future.”

For many young professionals, financial decisions are overwhelming. But they are also critical. During his talk, Heiner Kessler provided a wealth of information on how to invest wisely. Topics included taking control of your money, becoming a more knowledgeable investor, advocating for yourself in the workplace, and planning for retirement.

Heiner Kessler from ABNB advises young professionals from the 757 about finances.

One of Kessler’s key pieces of advice to young professionals: you cannot be risk-averse. There are smart risks, or investments, you can make to increase your overall wealth. According to Kessler, “If you’re not willing to lose money in bad times, you won’t make money in good times.” When you make a mistake, learn from it and move forward. tHRive members who had questions asked them freely, making the event both educational and interactive. tHRive is proud to make learning resources available for young professionals in the 757 community. A huge thank you to tHRive Diamond Sponsor, ABNB Federal Credit Union.

For more upcoming tHRive events, visit yptHRive.org/events.

December 31, 2019
BY
Sarah Hill
Message from the Incoming 2020 Chair

Members of tHRive,
I am truly honored and excited to assume the role of tHRive’s 2020-21 Chairman of the Board. This essential program of the Chamber has rapidly grown over the past four years under the leadership and vision of Julia and Alisa as they worked tirelessly to advance tHRive’s mission. I believe we are up to the challenge of continuing in their legacy over the next two years, largely due to the incredible individuals on the 2020 Board of Directors who have joined me to volunteer their time and effort on behalf of our valued members. Exciting times are ahead of us!

Above everything else, I am committed to doing even more in 2020 to transform tHRive into a value-add organization in the Hampton Roads community. Young professionals of the 757 are not just looking for another social club or group of friends to enjoy Happy Hour with. Don’t get me wrong—those things are great, but our potential is so much greater. We are uniquely positioned to truly make a difference in our region by giving back to those in need, by making our voices heard, by influencing the business and political leaders of our seven cities, and by providing our members with the tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

I hope you will join me and our Board of Directors in the coming year to make this vision a reality. We are realigning our internal structure and priorities to ensure that everything we do serves our greater purpose. There will be exciting changes, announcements, and ways to get involved in the coming months—so be on the lookout! One last thing: I am counting on you, our members, to make your voices heard. If there is something that you think tHRive could (or should) be doing in the 757 to support young professionals, or a missing service that is desperately needed in our community, we need you to let us know. Send your feedback to info@ypthrive.org and I will personally review it and respond. Your newly elected Chairman is eager to hear from you and ready to get to work. To 2020!

Daniel Sileo Headshot

Daniel Sileo

tHRive Chair