Charvayla West, president and CEO of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, told the Newport News City Council on Jan. 14 that the organization’s Community Assistance Network (CAN) and eviction-reduction work have connected thousands of residents to services and helped reduce evictions.

West said the United Way’s CAN provides a single regional phone line and coordinated referrals to about 150 partners across the peninsula. “From CAN's inception through June of last year, nearly 10,000 people have received assistance,” she said, and added that from July through December the CAN helped 795 Newport News households, assisting 1,067 people.

Why it matters: West said housing stability is essential to workforce and educational outcomes, and United Way acts as the “backbone” convener that coordinates state funds, private resources and local partners to reduce eviction filings and lockouts. She credited interagency collaboration for measurable improvements: United Way reported a 54% decrease in executed lockouts in Newport News from quarter 1 of 2023 to quarter 2 of 2024, and said the community assistance network mobilized about $192,000 in the prior six months to keep people housed.

Program details cited in the presentation included:
- Community Assistance Network (CAN): launched in 2021 as a centralized advocacy and referral service; regional phone line 757-229-2222.
- Eviction reduction: United Way led a state-funded eviction-reduction pilot beginning in 2020; West reported a greater-than-20% reduction in landlord filings over six quarters regionwide and significant decreases in lockouts locally.
- Staffing: CAN employs about seven advocates (four full-time and additional part-time staff); the organization is expanding evening hours and aims to reach nine advocates.
- Youth work: United Way launched the Peninsula Youth Collaborative in 2023 (nearly 70 organizations) and piloted a youth employment program that placed 130 people ages 16–24 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg with free reliable transportation to Newport News for shifts.

West framed the CAN as a “no wrong door” approach for residents seeking help: callers and partner agencies are routed to appropriate supports quickly. She thanked local partners named in her remarks, including 4 Oaks and the Department of Housing and Community Development, and noted philanthropic support from the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation that helped extend CAN hours.

Councilman Long asked whether a person facing eviction should call United Way or 4 Oaks; West replied that “there is no wrong door” and urged people to call the Community Assistance Network phone number at 757-229-2222. West also answered a council question about staffing levels and said CAN has about seven advocates (four full-time) and aims to increase capacity.

The presentation was informational; council members asked clarifying questions but took no formal action at the work session.