News Summary
The city of Newport News is rebranding the Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center as the U-Thrive Center. This initiative aims to connect local youth, families, and underserved residents with education and workforce training. Focused on helping opportunity youth aged 16 to 24, the center is a collaborative effort with local education institutions. The launch of new programs and the investment of $500 million underscore the city’s commitment to empowering young residents and addressing youth disengagement.
Newport News is rebranding the Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center as the U-Thrive Center, a new initiative aimed at connecting local youth, families, and underserved residents with education, workforce training, and support services. This shift is particularly focused on assisting “opportunity youth,” defined as individuals aged 16 to 24 who may be at risk of disengagement from traditional pathways to success.
The U-Thrive Center’s transformation represents a collaborative effort among the city of Newport News, Old Dominion University (ODU), and Newport News Public Schools. City officials state that approximately 11% of Newport News youth are deemed “disconnected,” a statistic that aligns with national averages. This initiative is seen as an essential step towards reducing these numbers and fostering engagement among local youth.
The rebranding comes as ODU’s Innovation Lab relocates to a larger facility in Hampton, freeing up space for city programs such as Youth THRIVE and Neighborhood Services to take root within the newly formed U-Thrive Center. The center is designed to offer a comprehensive suite of services that includes workforce training, financial education, youth programming, and resources focused on life skills. City leaders stress the importance of incorporating community feedback to inform the services and programs offered at the center.
The initiatives featured at the U-Thrive Center have garnered support from the National League of Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies. City leaders hope to set a benchmark with the center that can serve as a model for addressing youth disengagement and fostering economic stability in other communities across the country.
Planning for the U-Thrive Center’s launch is underway, with staff expected to start moving into the facility during the summer months. While operations will initially shift, the city’s plan involves a gradual implementation of new programs as they evolve over time.
In addition to these developments, Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones has declared 2024 as the “Year of the Youth.” This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to empowering its younger population through a significant investment of approximately $500 million dedicated to the Newport News Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. Initiative. This initiative stands for Transforming Hearts Renewing Investment Valuing Empowerment and aims to provide support and essential resources for families in need.
For the fiscal year 2025, a budget exceeding $500 million has been allocated for this initiative, convincing the city to take a strong, proactive stance on youth engagement. Programs such as Night Nets, a youth basketball program aimed at crime prevention and reducing violence, are part of the broader strategy. In addition, the Summer Youth Career Program (YCP) is being introduced to offer job opportunities for youth and young adults aged 16-24, supported by city budget allocations.
Participants in the Summer Youth Career Program will receive compensation at a rate of $15 per hour designed to encourage workforce participation. The backdrop of these initiatives includes recent concerns about youth safety, as Newport News has experienced instances of gun violence involving minors, with reports of seven shooting incidents in 2023 and two juvenile shooting victims in 2024. This alarming trend underscores the critical need for engaging youth programs.
The newly established Friday Night Nets Basketball League aims to create a safe and supportive environment for youth throughout the summer months, operating every Friday night. Mayor Jones has expressed the importance of community participation and is inviting residents to be actively involved in the Friday Night Nets program and other youth-focused initiatives.
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Additional Resources
- 13 News Now: U-Thrive Center Newport News Community Hub
- WTKR: Newport News Mayor Announces $500M Youth Initiative
- WAVY: Newport News Mayor Announces Initiative to Help Youths Thrive
- 13 News Now: Newport News Nonprofit Thrives After Move
- Wikipedia: Newport News, Virginia
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