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Speakers urge continued support for planned Portsmouth homeless shelter; youth group pitches a permanent services hub
Summary
Public commenters thanked the city for emergency sheltering, said construction of a permanent shelter will begin this spring, and urged continued services; a community fraternity highlighted scholarships and volunteer work, and a youth organizer proposed a 'My Life, My Story Matters' youth hub under a Safer Communities grant.
Speakers during the non‑agenda public comment period urged the City Council to sustain support for people experiencing homelessness, introduced a local fraternity chapter as an ongoing community partner, and pitched a permanent youth services hub.
G.W. Thompson, representing Virginia Organizing and Church and Community in Action, thanked the city and partner organizations for emergency sheltering during a recent snow event and said joint donations from community groups funded sleeping bags, Mylar blankets and warming kits. "We respectfully request your continued support throughout the completion of the shelter, particularly during periods of inclement weather," Thompson said, adding that construction of a permanent shelter is expected to begin this spring.
Deputy City Clerk Anita Sherrod and the Mayor took a moment to acknowledge the speakers and requests; Councilwoman Katherine Bryant asked City Manager Steven Carter to report back to council on coordination plans for the shelter and Oasis services.
Keith Bailey, president of the Epsilon Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, outlined the chapter's community service—monthly food‑bank volunteering, cleanups, mentoring programs and a recent scholarship breakfast—and said the chapter donated $10,500 in scholarships to seven graduating male public‑school seniors this year. The Mayor thanked the chapter for visible community work and noted local figures affiliated with Alpha Phi Alpha.
Jalisa Jones, representing My Life, My Story Youth and citing a '2.9 Safer Communities Grant,' proposed a permanent high‑impact youth hub called the My Life, My Story Matters Youth Hub. "Our model uses a hook and ladder approach," Jones said, describing offerings that would combine interest activities (boxing, a recording studio) with academic and vocational training, GED support and job‑prep. Jones said she had reached out to potential partners including the Port of Norfolk and Sentara and distributed a handout describing services and staffing plans.
Councilman Dodson asked whether the hub's model overlapped with an existing program, the Big Homies; Jones said she had contacted that program to discuss possible partnership. No formal city action resulted from the public remarks; council directed staff to report back on shelter coordination and accepted introductions and requests for future collaboration.
