Pastor and volunteer propose St. Paul's assembly hall for holiday meals and evening programming for sailors and downtown residents

During the citizen-comment period at the June 24 Newport News City Council meeting, community organizer Alan Tanner introduced Pastor Roberto and Valerie Portis, who described plans to open the assembly hall at St. Paul's Church (22130 Fourth Street) for community programs aimed at shipboard service members and downtown residents.

Pastor Roberto (introduced by Tanner) said he and partners have entered a contractual arrangement concerning St. Paul's and described a vision to revive a "watch care" or community-gathering ministry that would welcome military personnel, college students and local workers to a supervised, family-oriented space.

Valerie Portis, who identified herself as a manager of the downtown 7-Eleven that sells gasoline, outlined specific programming she would host in the church's assembly hall: holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter), school-drive events, occasional live music, and arcade-style community activities. She said the space would be open to about 8 p.m. to avoid late-night disturbance and to provide a short, safe activity window for sailors and other workers who lack transportation or nearby family during off-hours.

Why it matters: downtown Newport News has a substantial transient military population and residents who may lack evening social options. The proposers said their goal is to provide short-term, supervised social activities and holiday meals that would offer companionship and support without creating a late-night public-safety concern.

Next steps noted in public comment: the speakers said they have a contractual arrangement related to St. Paul's and asked council to be aware of the initiative and to consider city staff support where appropriate. They did not request specific council action during the meeting.