Reaching Our Communities is a faith-based, non profit organization that has served the “at risk” populations of Hampton Roads since 1996. Through strategic and consistent programs we seek to empower low income children to break molds of poverty, to become viable citizens of our community and to become leaders in their own homes and communities. Our programs provide character building, educational and life skill opportunities not only for the children but for the entire families.
What makes us different?
Reaching Our Communities goes right into the neighborhoods where the children live to present programs. We strongly encourage youth who are participating in our programs to give back to their community through volunteer projects. We are strong advocates of volunteerism, collaboration and community involvement. All of our programs are free to the children and the families we serve.
Our History
Reaching Our Communities had its beginnings in 1996 through an outdoor event called “Sidewalk Celebration” in Trailer City. For the first eight years of our existence we presented programming out of an outreach center in Trailer City. Trailer City was well known in Virginia Beach for being a “blighted” neighborhood, often attracting media attention for its sub-standard housing conditions and high crime rate. During our years there, we were able to celebrate this neighborhood’s first high school graduates in over two decades! We also had the privilege of seeing a community come together to provide a safer environment where children could grow and play. Young people living in Trailer City became our greatest group of youth volunteers. After years of serving as youth volunteers these young individuals traveled to South Africa in 2004 to train underprivileged South African youth how to reach children in their own townships through the “Sidewalk Celebration” program. Now, these young adults, who once lived in Trailer City, continue to give back to their community by volunteering in our different programs. They personally understand the difference one volunteer can make in the life of a child!
Since our days in Trailer City we have expanded our efforts to include other Hampton Roads’ underprivileged communities. During the past few years we have served children in the at-risk communities of Atlantis Apartments, Friendship Village, Level Green, Western Bayside, 15 ½ Street, Bridle Creek, Campostellaand Huntersville as well as our City’s homeless children. Reaching Our Communities continues to provide programs and opportunities to build hope and develop young leaders.
Since its conception, Reaching Our Communities has presented programs to over 12,000 young people in poverty both in Hampton Roads, the Bronx, and in South Africa.
