NEWPORT NEWS-A ribbon cutting was recently held for a new space for a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need.
The Legacy of HOPE Foundation celebrated a ribbon cutting at its new site located at 239 Buxton Ave. in downtown Newport New on Friday, August 12. The organization was established in October 2020 and had been operating from 1815 West Queen St. in Hampton prior to acquiring the new site in Newport News.
The Legacy of HOPE Foundation offers charitable and educational resources to the community such as human services, clothing to those in need, and life skills education and training to youth.
“We offer free clothing and non-perishable food, personal hygiene, school supplies, and empowerment and development classes for our youth,” said Teresa A. Lassiter, executive director of The Legacy of HOPE Foundation. “We hold youth empowerment sessions every fourth Saturday that build self-esteem, confidence, courage, and character while providing preventative solutions to youth violence.”
Lassiter said there are three major components to the youth empowerment and development classes: education, arts and crafts, and sharing a meal with other participants.
“We focus on the biblical principles of loving one another, loving your neighbor, and walking in peace and joy,” said Lassiter. “We’ll soon be adding an exercise component to our program as well.”
Lassiter and her husband, Johnny, are pastors at HOPE Manifested Ministries in Newport News. She said the idea for forming the nonprofit was ignited after a family member died a few years ago.
“When my Aunt Geraldine passed away, we realized she had an abundance of clothing and canned goods that we wanted to give to people who needed them and started giving the items away,” said Lassiter. “She had over 1,000 items that we provided to people who needed them, and during the process, we realized just how much of a need there was for clothing, personal hygiene items, and school supplies for some people in our immediate area and beyond.”
Propelled by her minister’s heart, Lassiter started a mobile service and began transporting donated items to people in need across the Hampton Roads area. She’s confident the new location on Buxton Avenue will provide the space needed to receive and disperse donations on a consistent basis. The organization is currently offering free clothing and non-perishable food items from 3pm to 5pm on Wednesdays and noon to 2pm on the fourth Saturday of every month.
Lassiter said the foundation purchased the space in downtown Newport News, which was previously occupied by Pandora Lodge, a year ago and has been remodeling it since then.
“The whole building had to be gutted and renovated,” said Lassiter. “The main portion of the building, our gathering place, is ready and where we’ll be meeting until the rest of the building is completed. We’re hoping that people from the community will stop by to see our new location and find out more about the services we provide.”
For more information about The Legacy of HOPE Foundation, visit its website.
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