NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — During the Oct. 14 public-comment period, residents urged the city to improve communication and services for people experiencing homelessness and to protect local historic properties. Representatives of Thrive Peninsula thanked the council for recent support and described expanded services during an ongoing federal shutdown.

Why it matters: Homelessness and nonprofit capacity are recurring local concerns; residents and service providers asked city leaders for clearer outreach and better coordination so residents can access available resources.

Public remarks and nonprofit update

Angela Harris, a longtime resident, spoke about local history and preservation, urging the council to keep the Newsome House and other historic resources visible and to communicate board and charter changes affecting those properties. Harris also mentioned the recent death of a community elder and asked the city to recognize the family.

Daryl Brucknell addressed homelessness and outreach, saying, “We need more communication between the city, business owners and the homeless.” He described gaps between available resources and people who do not know how to use them and urged better advocacy and outreach.

Angela York, executive director of the nonprofit Thrive Peninsula, thanked council members and staff for support during Hunger Action Month and for a citywide food drive. She described how the organization pivoted during COVID with city support, noted that Thrive has expanded services since 2021, and said the group expects to serve more than 35,000 people this year, about 70% of them Newport News residents. She listed walk-in hours and service locations: Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m., and said Thrive is offering walk-in assistance for families facing eviction or utility shutoffs while the federal shutdown continues.

Council reaction and follow-up

Council members thanked Thrive and the city staff who coordinate with nonprofits. Councilman Cleon Long (Central District) invited a public commenter involved with the 4 Oaks outreach program to stay after the meeting so staff could follow up about communication needs. Multiple council members offered condolences for the passing of community leader August Bullock and applauded recent nonprofit and workforce events.

Ending: Several council members encouraged continued partnerships between the city and nonprofits to expand outreach and to ensure residents know how to access food, housing and utility-assistance resources.