Newport News Economic/Industrial Development Authority (NNEDA/IDA)

📉 Annual Point in Time Count Reveals Significant Decrease in Homelessness in Newport News 📉 The Greater Virginia Peninsula Homelessness Consortium (GVPHC) and partner agencies conducted the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count on January 25, 2024. This year’s count revealed 412 individuals experiencing homelessness in Newport News and surrounding areas, a 14% decrease from last year's count of 480. Notably, 83% of those counted were in temporary emergency shelters. In Newport News, the count was 184 individuals, marking a remarkable 40% decrease from 306 in 2023. While the PIT Count offers a snapshot of homelessness on a specific day, it does not capture the full extent of those at imminent risk, such as individuals and families "couch surfing" or staying with family and friends. Despite its limitations, the PIT Count provides valuable data for governmental agencies and homeless service providers to identify gaps and strategize for funding and program development to better assist those in need. #DecreaseInHomelessness #CommunitySupport #NewportNews #GVPHC #Homelessness #CommunitySupport #NewportNews #GVPHC #PITCount #SocialServices #HelpingHands #EndHomelessness #CommunityAction

✨ Boys & Girls Clubs Receive $850,000 for Improvements! ✨ Exciting news! The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula (BGCVP) received $850,000 in federal funding from Congressman Bobby Scott for essential upgrades and improvements. These enhancements will help BGCVP continue to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our youth to learn, grow, and thrive. BGCVP has been serving our community for over 75 years, offering programs that promote the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. This funding ensures they can keep fulfilling their mission for many years. The City of Newport News is proud to be a long-time supporter of BGCVP, with $180,000 allocated for fiscal year 2025 to support professional staffing for afterschool and summer programs at five Newport News Clubs. These programs will serve 5,446 Newport News residents in the upcoming year. Additionally, BGCVP is a vital Community Coalition partner in the city’s Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. initiative, with students receiving WorkKeys training and testing for workplace success. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible. #CommunitySupport #BGCVP #YouthDevelopment #FederalFunding #NewportNews #CommunityPartners #YouthTHRIVE #BoysAndGirlsClubs #InvestInYouth #FutureLeaders #MakingADifference

🏆 The Mariners’ Museum and Park Wins Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2024 🏆 We are thrilled to announce that The Mariners' Museum and Park has been honored with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2024! 🎉 This prestigious award places us among the top 10 percent of listings worldwide on Tripadvisor, thanks to the incredible reviews from our visitors over the past year. Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, relies on authentic feedback from travelers around the globe. This recognition is a testament to the memorable experiences our visitors have shared. Howard Hoege, Mariners’ President and CEO, expressed heartfelt gratitude: “Our Mariners’ Team, partners, and supporters have prioritized access to our buildings and campus, resulting in a $1 admission policy to our galleries, free educational programs for local schools, free access to our 550-acre park and the 5-mile Noland Trail, and safe, affordable kayaking on Mariners’ Lake. We are incredibly proud of this award and grateful to Tripadvisor and our local, national, and global communities.” Thank you to everyone who helped us achieve this honor! 🌟 #TravelersChoice #Tripadvisor #Top10Percent #MarinersMuseum #MarinersPark #HamptonRoads #ExploreNN #AwardWinning #AccessibleTravel

🌊 A Unique Way to Experience the Newport News Shipyard 🌊 Newport News Tourism has unveiled the Newport News Shipyard Experience, an immersive exhibit that explores the rich history and groundbreaking work of Newport News Shipbuilding and its impact on the city we know today. 📍 Temporarily located at Newport News City Hall, this all-weather exhibit provides a historic timeline of the shipyard and its extraordinary contributions to Newport News. Discover the deep-rooted connections between Collis P. Huntington, the Huntington family, and the City of Newport News. ✨ Eventually, the exhibit will permanently relocate to the soon-to-be-opened James River Strand in The Yard District on the downtown waterfront, offering guests closer access to the James River. 🚍 Plans are also underway to introduce a complementary trolley tour featuring significant sites throughout Newport News tied to the shipyard. 🌐 Can't make it to City Hall? Explore elements of the exhibit through an online story map. This self-paced journey features 10 key sites, including the shipyard’s first vessel, the tugboat Dorothy, and the famed Apprentice School. The story map combines location data with photos and text, offering a virtual tour complete with descriptions, links, and addresses to points of interest. Don't miss this unique opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of Newport News Shipbuilding! 🚢 #NewportNews #ShipyardExperience #History #Tourism #JamesRiverStrand #TheYardDistrict #ImmersiveExhibit #VirtualTour #ExploreNN

🎒 Don’t Miss the NNDHS Back-to-School Bash: IMPACT 2024! 🎒 Summer break may be flying by, but the excitement is just getting started. Get ready for an incredible new school year at IMPACT 2024, the annual back-to-school supply giveaway event hosted by the Newport News Department of Human Services (NNDHS). 📅 Date: Saturday, Aug. 10 🕙 Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 📍 Location: Brittingham-Midtown Community Center (570 McLawhorne Dr.) Join us to stock up on FREE school supplies while enjoying exciting activities, delicious food, and live music. This fantastic event is FREE for all Newport News K-12 students and their families. Supplies are limited, so be sure to pre-register online while you can. Don’t miss out! 🛍️ Tote bags for pre-registered attendees will be distributed starting at 10 a.m. Tote bags for attendees who do not register will be distributed at 11 a.m. All pre-registered tote bags not claimed by 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 10 will be forfeited. Children (K-12) MUST be present with an adult 18 years of age or older to receive tote bags and school supplies. 📞 For more information, call 757-926-6472. #BackToSchoolBash #IMPACT2024 #FreeSchoolSupplies #NewportNewsEvents #NNDHS #CommunityEvent #FamilyFun

📣 Youth Career Program Kick-Off Pep-Rally! 📣 The Newport News Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. (Transforming Hearts, Renewing Investment, Valuing Empowerment) Initiative is a comprehensive program designed to empower and support the youth of Newport News. Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. aims to create a community where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. On June 22, the City of Newport News launched its first-ever Youth Career Program (YCP), one of the leading programs under the Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. initiative. The event was attended by Mayor Phillip Jones, Councilwoman Tina Vick, Councilman John Eley, numerous local employers, and nearly 100 enthusiastic young adults eager to acquire new work experiences. Accompanied by families and friends, the youth learned about their summer job placements and had the chance to meet their supervisors. To learn more about the Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. and Youth Career Programs, or to become a partner/employer, please e-mail us with "Become A Partner" in the subject line. youththrive@nnva.gov #YouthTHRIVE #YouthEmpowerment #CareerProgram #NewportNews #JobReadiness #CommunitySupport #FutureLeaders

📚SBDC 2024 Lunch & Learn Series 📚 Topic: Leveraging Technology and Automation with Todd DuRose 🍽️ Date & Time: July 18, 2024, 12 pm - 1 pm 🖥️ Location: Via Zoom Grab your lunch and join us virtually to discover how to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and increase productivity with the latest digital tools and platforms. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to boost your business! Scan the QR Code to register. #LunchAndLearn #BusinessGrowth #Technology #Automation #Productivity #HamptonRoadsSBDC #PeninsulaHBBNetwork #2024Series

🌿 FREE Teacher Professional Development with CBF! 🌿 The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is offering an incredible opportunity for teachers to enhance their environmental education skills. Registration is now open for 20 summer courses that explore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its ecosystems. 📅 Dates: Tuesday, July 30, 9 a.m. - Thursday, Aug. 1, 4 p.m. 📍 Activities: Canoe exploration, 40’ research vessel trips, shoreline investigations 🌱 Focus: Ecosystem and climate solutions, inquiry-based learning, and collaboration with field experts 🍽️ Included: Lunch, snacks, and learning resources 📝 Benefits: Continuing education credits or contact hours Graduate credit available Newport News teachers can use promo code NEWNEWS24 for a full scholarship covering the $375 course fee ⏳ Registration Deadline: July 16 📧 For more information: Email the Chesapeake Classrooms team or call 410-268-8816. Elevate your teaching and inspire your students with hands-on learning that fosters climate resilience. 🌍 #TeacherTraining #EnvironmentalEducation #ChesapeakeBayFoundation #ClimateResilience #ProfessionalDevelopment #NewportNews #FreeCourse #OutdoorLearning #TeacherResources

📚 Festival of Books: Calling All Local Authors, Illustrators, and Publishers! Join us for the Newport News Public Library's Festival of Books on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Main Street Library. This is your chance to showcase your work to a wider audience, sell and sign books, share drawings, and present publishing information. 📅 Applications Accepted: July 1-31 🔖 Who Can Apply: Published and self-published local authors Illustrators Publishing companies 📍 How to Apply: Pick up an application at Grissom Library, Main Street Library, or Pearl Bailey Library Complete it online Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to connect with the community and celebrate creativity.🌟 #FestivalOfBooks #LocalAuthors #Illustrators #Publishers #NewportNewsLibrary #CelebrateLiterature #CommunityEvent #BookFestival #SupportLocalTalent

🌬️ Get Cooling Assistance with the VA Energy Assistance Program! 🌬️ The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps low-income households manage their home energy needs, including cooling utility bills and equipment. Applications are accepted from June 15 to August 15. How to Apply: Screen for eligibility and apply online through CommonHelp Call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. to apply by phone Apply manually. Complete the appropriate application and return it to your local Department of Social Services: Cooling Assistance Application (PDF) Cooling Assistance Application (Spanish) (PDF) #EnergyAssistance #CoolingAid #VirginiaEAP #StayCool #SummerSafety #LowIncomeSupport #CommunityHelp #ApplyNow