Community Partners Directory

Three historical sites owned and operated by the City of Newport News Parks Recreation and Tourism Division.

An easy way to become involved in education is to be a part of the VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) program. No special skills are needed, although volunteers are encouraged to share any talents or interests they have. Each year volunteers contribute more than 92,000 hours of service to Newport News Public Schools.

After their application is approved, a volunteer can:

Tutor or mentor a student
Teach students about job skills
Serve as a guest speaker
Provide clerical help
Assist teachers in the classroom
Work in a school library and sort, shelve, and collect materials for classroom projects.

Enterprise Academy offers a regional alternative/transition program for students in grades 6-12 from Newport News, Hampton, York County, Williamsburg/James City County and Poquoson. Students that attend the program are either long term suspended/expelled from the traditional school setting, transitioning from Juvenile correctional facilities or facing community charges. The instructional staff provides a well-balanced learning approach for all students that utilizes traditional teaching methods as well as technology options to meet the academic needs of a diverse population of students. Goals include but are not limited to: preparing students to return to the traditional school setting, modifying any negative student behaviors/habits, increasing student academic achievement, exposing students to various college and career options, promoting the development of positive self-esteem as well as personal and community responsibility. Academic and behavior management programs are designed to create a learning environment that prioritizes safety, structure and becoming ‘smart’. A school dress code adds a dimension of commitment to the program. An incentive program has been designed to reward students for good behavior and to encourage academic success. The staff works collaboratively with the parents to ensure a positive and impactful school experience.

The MISSION of NNPS Youth Development is to promote positive experiences, positive relationships, and positive environments for every Newport News Public Schools student, staff, and family. Our VISION is that every Newport News Public Schools student feels seen, heard, valued, loved, and affirmed.

The Youth Development Department operates on the premise that all young people will be successful when offered the right combination of opportunities, supports, and services. NNPS Youth Development is also dedicated to the wellbeing of young people, no matter what circumstances they may face.

Positive Youth Development is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth with their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people's strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths. (Source: youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development)

Our mission at No shame. Period. is to erase the shame and stigma of menstruation for this generation of students in Hampton Roads and beyond. We're doing this by providing period packs to local elementary and middle public school nurses and promoting menstruation education.

Palmer Elementary School is in the heart of Newport News. We service over 400 students daily and house one of three Newcomer Sites in the school division. We have a large ESL and minority population. We require volunteers to help in math to assist with learning loss from the pandemic while our students learn basic math concepts and practices associated with the Eureka math program.

All persons interested in volunteering at a school, or for a school related program or event, must complete the school division’s online volunteer application. All prospective volunteers will be subject to a background check against the sex offender registries in all 50 states and the custom databases set by each school. The school principal or designee shall review the prospective volunteer applications and ensure the volunteers have cleared the screening process and completed all required documents. All volunteers must be approved before volunteering at any school or event, or chaperoning any school field trip. Prospective volunteers and schools should allow at least one week for this process. Service of volunteers will be limited to the five areas listed below:

1. General assistance in the school and in the classroom.
2. Tutoring, which includes reinforcement and remediation activities.
3. Enrichment, limited to those activities which are in harmony with the purpose, scope and development of the curriculum including special presentations and programs.
4. Mentoring, providing provide motivation, support and role modeling.
5. Sponsoring a club or other extra-curricular activity that supports the mission of the school or school division.

NNPS Volunteer Application can be found below.

Peninsula Agency on Aging, Inc. (PAA) is committed to advocating for policies and resources to enhance the quality of life for seniors and family caregivers. With baby boomers now reaching senior status, PAA is dedicated to increasing information and services that stand the test of time like in-home care, dining centers, transportation, and meals on wheels. Volunteers are an integral part of our services and programs at PAA. Volunteer opportunities include: Delivering meals, Transporting seniors to and from medical appointments, Volunteering at dining centers, Clerical assistance to PAA, and the Caring Neighbors Program ( transporting seniors to social locations, senior safety calls and friendly visits).

18 years of age and over, valid driver's license and vehicle insurance

MRC units across Virginia are teams of medical and public health professionals, along with non-medical members, who volunteer to support public health initiatives and health emergencies throughout our community.

Peninsula MRC actively improves and protects our community’s public health by supporting:
-Health education and preventative health screenings.
-Efforts to provide medical services to at-risk populations.
-Communicable disease outbreak response.
-Volunteer emergency preparedness training and exercises.
-Local, state and national response to terrorism attacks and disasters; providing staffing support for medical services, emergency shelters, mental health outreach, dispensing sites for medications and vaccinations, disease investigations and environmental health efforts for food, animal and human safety.

The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter (PRAS) is a collaborative venture supported by four separate Hampton Roads communities: Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and York County. This 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility is managed and operated by the City of Newport News on behalf of the four jurisdictions. This "open-admission" shelter contains a full service veterinary clinic for the shelter animals and has capacity for approximately 100 dogs and 180 cats, as well as pocket pets and other small companion animals. The shelter's primary responsibilities include holding stray animals until they can be reunited with their owners, rehoming owner-surrendered pets, and facilitating pet adoptions. The shelter also houses animal control offices for the participating jurisdictions.

Peninsula Regional Education Program offers instruction for adult learners in basic skills, GED® Certification, English language learning, and workforce training to effectively prepare individuals for college, careers, and citizenship.

Our vision is for every student on the Peninsula to be prepared with the knowledge, skills, and credentials to excel in the 21st century economy.

ONE ORGANIZATION, MANY PARTS
Peninsula Rescue Mission consists of our Men’s Shelter, Overcomer’s Program, Camp Open Arms, and additional community efforts

Men's Shelter
The provision of a bed with fresh linens, a shower and clean clothes, a hot meal, and a gospel ministry are all made without any charge to the recipient.

Overcomer's Program
Participants take part in church attendance, chapel services, small group studies, counseling sessions, work assignments, and accountability for behavior

Camp Open Arms
Camp Open Arms is a free summer program for needy children. Thousands have attended over the years, and hundreds have met the Savior in a life-changing way!

After providing shelter and adoption services for the Peninsula communities for more than 50 years, the Peninsula SPCA took a brave, new direction when it transitioned to an adoption guarantee or “no kill” shelter in January 2015. Since then, the Peninsula SPCA has been able to expand its services for the Peninsula community to not only include adoption services, but humane education programs and preventive veterinary care.

The mission of the Peninsula SPCA is to find loving homes for every animal in our care, and to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals in our community.

Our vision for our Virginia Peninsula community is that we will achieve a humane community culture through humane education, successful adoptions, quality veterinary care, and mutually beneficial partnerships with our community and other welfare organizations, which will be reflected by animals not losing their lives due to a lack of space and the elimination of animal cruelty.

Pink Collar Cares is a nonprofit organization created to encourage positive self-image in today's youth. Through the distribution of personal hygiene kits, Pink Collar Cares (PCC) strives to provide children in need with essentials to start each day clean, properly groomed, and prepared to learn. Many local children often may not have access to hygiene items that the majority of us take for granted. They are unable to replenish their hygiene products and families often struggle with providing the necessities to their children. Each kit includes deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and seasonal items. Our focus is fifth grade students to help prepare them for middle school. However, hygiene products are distributed to students of all grades and ages. During the 2022-2023 school year, we launched the 'Stay Clean Cabinet' initiative. We provided 6/8 NNPS middle schools with these cabinets that contained loose items for students to grab as needed, in an effort to continue to meet the needs of students that may struggle with hygiene item replenishment. Items can be retrieved from the cabinets in a discreet manner, reducing opportunities for unwarranted teasing and bullying. We plan on continuing to supply middle schools while adding high schools to the list during this upcoming school year. Kits are distributed during a fun assembly style performance to engage students and teachers with the importance of proper hygiene practices and encourage students to live out our slogan: Feel Good, Look Good, Do Good.

A desire to serve and encourage our youth.

Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary, Inc. is dedicated to the rescue and placement of abandoned, abused, and neglected cats in and around Poquoson, VA. Our vision for these animals is a safe place that will provide them with food, shelter, medical care, rehabilitation, adoption opportunities, and most importantly, love.

Spay/neuter is a priority to control the overpopulation of these animals in our community.
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P.A.W.S is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) that relies on public support in the form of volunteers and donations.

Purpose Driven Learners is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing equitable educational opportunities for underserved communities. Founded on the success of its for-profit partner, Higher Purpose Learning LLC, the organization offers free and cost-effective tutoring, career skills training, and workforce development programs for K-12 students and adults, including individuals in correctional facilities.

Our mission is to bridge educational gaps by providing high-quality academic support, digital literacy tools, and career readiness programs. With a focus on literacy intervention, job skills training, and personalized learning support, Purpose Driven Learners is dedicated to ensuring that every learner has access to the resources they need to succeed.

Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and innovative learning solutions, we strive to empower students, strengthen communities, and create lasting change in the education landscape.

Quality of Life Inc. (QLI) is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization established in 2016, that works to inspire, promote, and enhance the “Quality of Life” of youth and their families in our community through personal, educational, and social development and growth. QLI understands the importance of one’s well-being and provides various programs, events, and resources to ensure each individual in our community truly understands “Your Well-being Matters.”

Mission and Vision
Our Mission is that “We inspire, promote and enhance the quality of life of individuals in our community through education, community programs, and individual and family services.”
Our Vision is “To transform communities by helping individuals evolve through personal, educational, and social development.”

Agency Overview
Quality of Life Inc. allocates funds to serve, assist, develop, and grow the local community and its surroundings by providing services and programs such as Mentoring (school-based, evidenced-based, individual, and group), Life Skill’s Coaching, Tutoring, Truancy prevention, Vocational Training, etc. for both youth and their families. Quality of Life Inc. hosts and facilitates numerous events during the year to assist our community with items as school supplies, hygiene items, food, water, and shelter. Quality of Life Inc. reinvests in our youth by providing scholarships annually to high school seniors enrolling in secondary education. Quality of Life Inc. educates both veterans and elderly citizens on resources in the community that will aide them in become more self-sufficient to ensure their years are spent flourishing in the communities they helped build. Quality of Life Inc. also assists and educates parents with tools, education, and resources to assist with removing barriers faced by their at-risk children to preserve the family unit.

We are looking for Volunteers, that are caring and understands Hospice.

Do YOU have some free time?
Write cards, assist in writing notes/ life story for others, admin duties, music or pet companions, read to others, Veteran program, make flower arrangements, make blankets, companion for someone in their most needed time. We would LOVE to have YOU!

Mission Statement
To care for others as we would care for those we love _ to enhance their well-being and improve their health

Riverside Care Difference

Keep me Safe
Help me Heal
Be kind to me
Respect my Wishes

Volunteering for hospice care is a special calling and the volunteer gets such satisfaction from a simple act of compassion. As a volunteer you’ll provide an extra dimension of direct or indirect comfort and support to our patients and their families. While Riverside’s experienced health care professionals are central to this process, hospice volunteers are equally invaluable. Volunteers build bonds with patients and serve as an essential link between health care providers and patients, ensuring their physical, emotional and spiritual needs are met.

Volunteers must wait 1 year following the passing of an immediate family member to be eligible

Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC) is the primary location in the Riverside Health System.

Site Team Leaders: Rachel Fitzsimmons (rachel.fitzsimmons.21@cnu.edu); Emery Moore (emery.moore.20@cnu.edu)

Sentara Hospice Services has many committed volunteer members from our communities in Hampton Roads and Western Tidewater, Greater Peninsula, and Harrisonburg. Our volunteers share their skills, compassion, and empathy with patients facing life-limiting illnesses as well as with their families. From non-medical direct patient care and family bereavement support to administrative and specialty support, volunteers are an integral part of the Hospice program.

Sentara Hospice volunteers are specially trained and are a part of the Hospice team. They are dedicated to creating a compassionate environment for patients and their families.

Serve the City connects people who want to serve with meaningful opportunities to do so. We share kindness in multiple ways in the community. We offer projects ranging from making cards and cookies for 1st responders, to doing minor home repairs, and yard work for the low-income elderly and disabled people on the Peninsula.

Site Team Leader: Katie Bowersox (katelyn.bowersox.20@cnu.edu)

There is also a STC Club at CNU, led by Katie Bowersox. Contact Katie to get involved or to carpool to events. Her contact is katelyn.bowersox.20@cnu.edu

Soundscapes, Inc. is a nonprofit, educational, intervention organization that instills transformative life skills in under-resourced children in our community, using intensive music study and frequent ensemble performances. We have two daily programs that meet at Carver Elementary and Greenwood Elementary. We also have a youth orchestra program that serves musicians up to age 25 that meets during the academic year on Tuesdays at Gildersleeve Middle School. If you have play an instrument, we'd love to have you play with us. Learn more at www.soundscapes.org/pyo

We provide volunteer opportunities to suit your needs, whether you are looking for a regular commitment to work with the students during weekday afternoons, a one-time volunteer opportunity during an event, or something in between. Let us know your interests and availability, and we will be glad to find a way for you to get involved!

CNU Students work as volunteers at World Class Gymnastics. We provide a fun, social and athletic program to help with coordination and confidence through the sport of gymnastics. We work with children with special needs to help improve their gymnastics, motor, communication and socialization skills.

Special Olympics is a movement built on inclusion, where every person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place through the power of sport.

STEM Mentoring is part of the Service Distinction Program at CNU. Students mentor/tutor math at Crittenden Middle School in Newport News on Tuesdays and Thursdays.