The Legacy of HOPE Foundation is YES (Youth Empowerment Service) Centered and helps heal humanity through hope by clothing feeding, educating and empowering communities. The nonprofit has assisted over 700 families in 2022 providing necessary daily resources to families in need and is empowering our youth through Saturday sessions by building self esteem, confidence, courage and character through empowerment workshops to help our community thrive.

Sharing and caring by offering fresh floral arrangements with a training class once a month. No cost. All the arrangements are then delivered it to the sick, the shut in, nursing homes, cancer centers, anywhere someone needs to be reminded they are loved.

I am Tiffany's VA, Hailey. I work closely with her and I see how hard she works not for herself, but for her daughter and her community. Tiffany has been overcoming depression and anxiety her entire life. Her story is nothing short of inspiring. Instead of allowing her personal issues to stop her, she founded one of the only nonprofit organizations in America that cover the cost of therapy, coaching, licensing and other wellness and advancement items as well as the traditional business and education expenses. She built this organization while still being in the midst of her storm. Fighting to build a community of supportive, ambitious, collaboration-minded women who seek wholeness as well as success while she herself still couldn't afford therapy. I've work for a ton of business women, Tiffany is one woman I will never forget and always be willing to help because empowerment isn't just what she does. It's who she is. If anyone deserve recognition, it's her..

The Ezer Initiative aims to bridge the gap between needed resources and those in need. They do this by demonstrating the love, promises and provision of Christ by aiding and empowering those in need to attain personal independence for a sustainable future by providing resources, community connections and advocacy. Their programs include a food pantry, housing program for those that have many barriers to attaining sustainable living, advocacy, and case management. Ezer is a very unique organization in the aspect that they provide all encompassing after hours emergency services. Their long-term goal works towards attacking generational and circumstantial brokenness and eradicating homelessness. They strive to gain trust by establishing and developing authentic relationships, where people feel seen, heard, cared for, and are invited into the choices before them. Their executive director and founder has firsthand lived experience in homelessness as well as many of the situations and circumstances that lead to homelessness. This gives Ezer a unique insight and perspective to be able to relate in fostering hope for those they assist. We believe great impact comes through collaboration and our honored to partner  with several of the other nominees as well as various other agencies and organizations throughout Hampton Roads.

Vision Driven 757 has been on the front lines creating change and helping others set out to make a difference. Vision Driven 757 has held Community Days, distributing food, household items, and PPE. Vision Driven 757 host a number of events school aged children covering topics including mental health, self esteem, life after high school, resume building, and more. Vision Driven 757 has partnered with a number of organizations across Hampton Roads to make a difference in all cities, including aiding the homeless in Norfolk and Portsmouth, working with NAACP Portsmouth, being a community resource of Portsmouth Public Schools and a number of local small businesses.

I nominate this organization for the great impact they are doing in the community. They feed, clothed, furnished homes, provide pet items, served the youth, schools, organizations, churches, Government agencies, homeless, veterans, single families, returning citizens, and more.

Dominique started this non profit in 2017 because she understood that social media influence is real and I’ve heard her talk about how there were things as an adult that she wished someone should’ve communicated o her before. I’ve watched this program grow year by year, I’ve seen the community here involved and help run the sessions, raise money and be there for the young girls. It’s needed, and her mission is the reality. I see the growth and where it’s going and how important the work is and feel she needs her flowers for the sacrifice.

Christina Johnson turned the hardship of being faced with her baby having a devastating cancer diagnosis into a foundation supporting and aiding other families going through the same difficult crisis. She supports these families knowing exactly what they are going through.

Katrinia’s nonprofit support the homeless population in the 757. Katrina provides essential items to Street bound homeless individuals. Items such as clothing, food, sleeping bags and blankets. Just a name a few. She has also provided hotel stays for numerous homeless individuals. Katrina is a driving force in the 757. She has slept outside to protect the homeless and has continuously gone before city Council to fight and advocate for their rights. Her driving ambition is unmatched. Because of her advocacy the city of Norfolk opened up a new shelter to house those that she was assisting. Katrina does not receive any funding from the government so everything she does is out of love and through other community partners. She goes out at least five days a week to provide these items and has done so consecutively for almost 2 years. This woman is amazing and deserves his honor

Our foundation is geared at exposing inner city students to the area of STEAM by our annual STEAM camp and our STEAM in school program.

RPEO works to motivate, educate, mentor, and provide resources to community members especially marginalized youth and returning citizens. Supporting them in becoming proud and productive individuals who can contribute positively to their communities. The organization focuses its energy on four pillars: mentorship, education, service, and extracurricular activities. Every year, RPEO services hundreds of students through events like the 757 Community Give Back Event, Thanksgiving Food Program, The Christmas Family Adoption Program and through athletic camps and clinics. As well as through speaking events and their Virtual Mentorship Program.

My friend Chanda Epps is an AMAZING visual artist. Please visit her art website too: https://www.newartbycjepps.com/. Chanda started the Live Love Paint foundation because in her work in education for Hampton City Schools, she recognized the need for an outlet, or art intervention. to help youth cope with all of the challenges and conflicting messages and challenging situations that they are faced with today. She started having art session with groups of youth with identified need, and creating full art kits with premium art supplies and written prompts that she would provide for free so that young people could use it as an outlet at home or anywhere else. Then COvid-19 hit and in person classes were not possible. So, she expanded the distribution of the art kits and increased the options and she continues to bless the youth of Hampton Roads. Chanda is full invested in contributing to the success of young people and in showing them the beauty of art and how it can be used for expression, or to release aggression, sorrow, or even happiness. She also helps them recognize their own talent and options for pursuing art as a career in the future. I think Chanda is a true representation of a nonprofit leader that is driven by their passion and an unyielding call to serve. It has been a pleasure for me to serve on the board of Chanda's foundation and witness her devotion to ensuring that our youth have access to the arts, which is a vital. I nominate Chanda Epps for your nonprofit award.

The Nasia Foundation focuses on Traumatic Brain Injury in youth, young adults survivors and provides caregivers support. This amazing organization raises awareness about Brain Injury and also was inspired by a young lady named Ja’Nasia whom was 18 at the time of her injury due to a motor vehicle accident. Her mother was her caregiver. Ja’Nasia transition on April 25, 2021. When the organization was founded the focus goal was to make sure the nation knew more about Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI). The Nasia Foundation has helped over 500 families since 2020 with food assistance, emotional support, TBI Survivors & Caregivers Support boxes. “LIVING THEIR LIVES THROUGH OUR MINDS”.

The HJ Lang Foundation (501c3) has supported and donated new Musical Instruments to many Elementary. Middle & High School students throughout public school system's in Hampton Roads for the past 6 years and has sent 2 students to Music Summer Camp at the Berkeley College of Music in Boston as a part of the Church Street Jazz Series. We've also donated 7 quality musical instruments to Booker T Washington High School in Norfolk with more to come to enhance their music program. That donation was filmed, documented and broadcast as a feature of Organizations Giving Back on WVEC 13 News produced by Ashley Smith. See it here: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/making-a-mark-church-street-jazz-series-in-norfolk/291-b4e37901-3051-47ea-9cdf-ae239d722ba1

Today, the Chrysler Museum is the largest visual arts organization in eastern Virginia, where it serves as the central resource for interpretive engagement with the fine arts for more than 200,000 visitors annually. The Museum's facility and renowned collection allow for an extensive array of exhibitions, classes, and programs available and accessible to all constituencies on an ongoing basis. Free lectures, tours, workshops, and family activities attract audiences of all demographics. Free, customized educational programming correlated to Standards of Learning extends the Museum’s reach into classrooms across the region, with free, online resources and professional development offered for teachers. Collaboration with school districts, regional governments, businesses, community groups, and other non-profits assists with outreach both to general audiences and to targeted, often underserved populations. Since its opening in 2011, the Perry Glass Studio has sparked a zest for the arts and a passion for creativity in our community. Daily glassblowing demonstrations and glassmaking classes continually introduce new audiences to this art form. Emerging and established glass artists use this space to advance their craft. Academic partnerships support undergraduate programs at Tidewater Community College, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Wesleyan University, as well as curriculum-based classes at the Governor’s School for the Arts. An assistantship program provides career training in the glass arts. Mentoring programs engage at-risk middle schoolers in the art of glassmaking. Veterans’ Glassblowing Day brings service members together for comradery and free workshops. An ambitious schedule of changing exhibitions is designed to keep the Museum fresh and inviting, appeal to a variety of interests, and explore issues that we believe are meaningful to our community. Exhibitions currently on view include FloodZone: Photographs by Anastasia Samoylova; Waters Rising: A View from Our Backyard; The Totality of Time Lusters the Dusk; Hew Locke: The Ghostly Tourists; The Guiding Hand: The Barr Foundation Collection of Torah Pointers; and M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations. A major exhibition centered on the work of African American artist Jacob Lawrence and his West African-based contemporaries will open at the Museum this fall. This project is co-organized by the Chrysler and the New Orleans Museum of Art, and will travel to other prestigious art institutions following its presentation at the Chrysler. Accompanying programming for these exhibitions include programs such as artist lectures, book clubs, film screenings, art workshops, and immersive cultural events in partnership with Norfolk State University.

wenty years ago, Sharon P Scott organized and hosted a Food Drive to benefit disadvantaged families in Newport News. Ten years later, she added a Job Fair, Resume Workshop and Spay/Neuter clinic to raise awareness and collect non perishable food. In 2021 the Food Drive served more than 1,000 families, Restocked three Food Pantries, donated 100 new bicycles, partnered to donate more than 3,000 books and sponsored Christmas for Five military families. Her Efforts have made a measurable impact in the community and is the largest event of its size on the Virginia Peninsula. Planning has begun for year 21, with a budget of $60,000. Partnerships and a strong committee has ensured the success of the 20 year reign.

New Choices New Minds nonprofit mission is to connect and offer resources for individuals, families, businesses, communities, and the underserved. Because of donations and collaboration with other businesses, last year we: - Prepared 1,715 meals and fed 1,715 people in the homeless community. - Provided 25 Mother's Day gifts bags/purses/jewelry with the help of The Heart of Giving, Inc nonprofit donations and 38 Father's Day gift bags to the homeless community. - Distributed 46 Christmas gift bags with toiletries, detergent, hats, and gloves to the local organization, The Ezer Initiative for the homeless community. -Donated and helped with Full Gospel Kingdom Church Thanksgiving Basket Program and prepared 50 Thanksgiving meals for the homeless community through collaboration with the local organization, The Ezer Initiative. -Supported one child through Foster Care Child Christmas Program. -Supported one child through Angel Tree Christmas Program. -Urban Awareness USA Founders Grant Recipient -Certificate of Outstanding Community Service from Women With Vision

I am nominating Rickkita Taylor and her Non-Profit organization "Sisters Healing Sisters, Inc" because having known Rickkita since she was a student in class at Princess Anne High School, she has always been a caring and compassionate person and now as an adult she has not changed. I have been watching and contributing to the tremendous work she continues to pursue. From the basics of providing food, clothing, school supplies and tutoring to those in need, she rises up and provides even more. She learns more and continues to create better for the community and those she serves. She has risen above her circumstances and continues to create strong caring and compassionate resources for the Hampton Roads community as she empowers, educates, and elevates the women around her. Her commitment is all inclusive to everyone – it is strong and unwavering. I am so proud of her, her faith, her vision. She is one of those who is making a difference in so many lives in the Hampton Roads area. She without any doubt will continue to elevate the Hampton Roads community for decades. I look forward to what is “next” for Sisters Healing Sisters. They are truly living out the vision of what it means when they say, “It takes a Village”. Sisters Healing Sisters continues to expand their village and provide the care and compassion for the women in the Hampton Roads community.

I have volunteered with this organization for the last several years and they are making a huge difference in the community. Veterans Homefront has hosted a parking lot ministry for the last several years to create blessing bags for the car bound homeless veterans in Chesapeake. He consistently organizes volunteers to donate items, package the blessing bags, and distribute them to the individuals every Saturday morning at 6:30am. In addition to that, Veterans Homefront also is a key resource to connect homeless veterans to resources in the community to transition into a stable homelife to include employment, housing, assistance with gaining ID's and other documentation, and other resources to assist with the trauma they may have experienced in life.