What: Caroling before the Newport News City Council to advocate for a regional homeless shelter on the Peninsula
When: Tuesday, December 10 at 5 p.m.
Where: Christopher Newport University, Freeman Center, 1 University Place, Newport News, VA 23606
Newport News, Va.— Virginia Organizing will be “caroling for a cause” on Tuesday, December 10 at 5 p.m. at the Christopher Newport University, where the Newport News City Council will meet. Many living in Newport News and Hampton are dreaming of being housed for the holidays. However, for too many Virginians on the Peninsula, the housing crisis is all too real and many experience homelessness.
The Peninsula vitally needs regional facilities that will aid in the stabilization of permanent housing. Virginia Organizing has offered a plan that was developed in collaboration with Christopher Newport University students, who researched areas where a regional shelter could be placed in the Hampton and Newport News area. This plan has been presented to local officials in both cities, and Virginia Organizing is “working with the cities to address the issue,” said Cher Denton, a Virginia Organizing Newport News/Hampton Chapter leader.
Hampton Mayor-elect Gray has already outlined his priorities for addressing homelessness, and told the Virginian Pilot that he would like to take “meaningful steps” to get people off the streets and help them find housing. Among these priorities is the desire for the city to create a large center for unhoused individuals to find shelter during the day and be connected with resources for support. These resources would include counseling services, job training, computer access and laundry machines.
We’re now asking Mayor Jones of Newport News to be on Santa’s “Nice List” and join our efforts by committing to a regional shelter that is open year-round with wrap-around services.
To interview a spokesperson, contact Sarah Miller at sarahm@virginia-organizing.org or 434-422-6189.
