NORFOLK, Virginia — Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and Newport News Vice Mayor Tina Vick announced two new centers that are supposed to help families currently receiving federal assistance on Monday.
“To really help people get careers, not jobs. We always talk about jobs but we really need to start talking about careers and getting people up and out of poverty,” said HUD’s Joe DeFelice.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Administration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development came to Norfolk to announce two new designated HUD EnVision Center demonstrations in Norfolk and Newport News.
The centers are supposed to offer HUD-assisted families access to support services that can help them achieve self-sufficiency. It was created with the notion that financial support alone isn't enough to solve poverty and that more intentional and collective efforts from various organizations are needed to create long-lasting self-sufficiency.
“It gives you hope. Hope that you are able to move ahead and move further,” said public housing resident Patricia Waddell.
The EnVision Centers will provide public housing communities support based on four needs: economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, and character and leadership.
“There’s so many opportunities for those who are not employed or those who need a certification education. You can get your GED if you don’t have it,” she said.
Its purpose is to make sure HUD-assisted families have everything they can to pull out of assistance and make federal resources more readily available to a greater number of households currently waiting to receive HUD assistance.
“This EnVision Center will serve as a platform to those in the St. Paul’s Area to collaborate with community support service providers, other businesses, foundations, nonprofit organizations, educational leaders, job training and workforce development organizations, and will also provide online resources." Mayor Kenny Alexander said. "We are grateful that HUD continues to recognize our commitment to transforming the lives of those who are working to escape poverty and creating better lives for themselves and better futures for their families."
“I am excited that Newport News has been selected as an EnVision Center demonstration site,” said Newport News Vice Mayor Tina Vick. “As a strong advocate for empowering low-income families to improve their financial situations and achieve self-sufficiency, I believe this center will help to do just that. I appreciate the support from HUD as well as our partner organizations in the nonprofit, faith-based and private sectors, and look forward to seeing more families living in assisted housing on the path to financial independence.”
To learn more about EnVision Centers, click here.
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