Youth Partnership-South Hampton Roads

History

The Youth Partnership of South Hampton Roads is an outgrowth of the South Hampton Roads Alliance for Youth (SHRAY), which began as the local affiliate of America's Promise. Formed in 2002, the Youth Partnership of South Hampton Roads is now an independent coalition with representation from each of the six cities and two counties of South Hampton Roads.

Mission - The YP-SHR is a regional collaboration of individuals and organizations committed to promoting the positive development of youth through the many services and initiatives represented by its members.

Purpose -  to educate, equip, and inspire those who serve youth to fulfill their responsibilities and mission. We care for the caregivers.

• Educate - The Youth Partnership will be a reliable source of current information, and best practices for serving the needs of youth. YP will also offer information about local efforts and events to promote positive youth development.
         
• Equip - The Youth Partnership will provide those who care about youth with resources, tools, and training necessary to fulfill their mission and vision more effectively. Through the Youth Partnership, they will develop relationships, share best practices, and partner to promote regional efforts to promote positive youth development. Developing relationships, sharing best practices, and developing partnerships will create a synergy or "Win-Win" that elevates the profile of the Youth Partnership to local, state, and national attention.
             
• Inspire - The Youth Partnership will be a source of inspiration to continue the challenging work of promoting positive youth development regionally.

Membership of the YP-SHR is comprised of community and city leaders, youth, parents, civic and community groups, military, faith-based organizations, business leaders, educators and youth and family service providers with expertise in various areas of youth development.

Meetings - Held at 2:00p.m. on the third Monday of each month at a different members' location. In this way, the Youth Partnership members become familiar with various youth-serving organizations. To receive information about upcoming meetings, please contact the secretary, Sandy Bond at the e-mail address below.

Contacts (Executive Committee)

Chair: Clifton Russell, with the Office of Youth and Childhood Development, 757-441-6042, clifton.russell@norfolk.gov

Vice Chair: Merv Pitchford, VP, YMCA Community Services Branch, 757-624-9622, mpitchford@ymcashr.org

Secretary: Sandy Bond, community volunteer, 757-440-5137, sbond57079@aol.com