12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 13 Number 7 E3 Community Foundation to Around Hampton Roads


Hold 4th 'Sip for Scholarships' Chesapeake,Va.—Selected Hampton Roads students will benefit from proceeds raised at the 4th Annual Sip for Scholarships fundraiser to be presented by the E3 Community Foundation on Friday, May 17, from 7-9:30 p.m. at The Slover Library located at 235 E. Plume Street in Downtown Norfolk. Tickets, which cost $40,include light hors d’oeuvres and tastings. A cash bar, 50/50 raffle, and prizes will also be a part of the event. “We are dedicated as an organization to educating,enriching and empowering our community,” said Rhonda Corprew, Chair of the CVBDF Board.


“This fundraiser will help us raise the funds necessary to support one of our education-related initiatives.”The Foundation plans to award three $1,000 scholarships in June to qualifying Hampton Roads students. To purchase a “Sip for Scholarships” ticket, visit eventbrite.com. To learn more about E3, visit cvbdf.org.-30- Established in 2013, the CVBDF is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Its board of directors is comprised of forward-thinking women who actively serve the community and demonstrate leadership through the development of community programs and partnerships with local community supporters and organizations.


Residents Can Apply for Program Providing Matching


certificates, including Northstar Digital Literacy, Workplace Excellence Series, Career Readiness Certificates and OSHA-10.


This grant is part of the Virginia First Cities TANF Grant program, which is designed to support programs that end the cycle of poverty. Newport News’ application entitled “Navigating Wealth-Building for the Residents of the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood” complements the city’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. To learn more, visit www.newportnewschoice. com.


Stay Informed and Weigh in on


Proposed FY2020 Budget Participate online or in person


NORFOLK, VA – Stay informed and share your priorities on Norfolk’s Proposed FY 2020 budget online or in person.


Check out our Budget Toolkit to find all your city budget resources in one place. The toolkit includes links to documents, videos and interactive budget tools as well as a schedule of upcoming budget discussions and meetings.


Our online, interactive budget balancing exercise, called Balancing Act, allows you to share your budget priorities online, anytime. This online workshop includes information about city departments and the services they provide, and allows users to see how changes affect the budget.


Home Improvement Grants Applications are now being accepted for Curb Appeal, a matching grant program from the city's Community Development Department that helps residents make exterior improvements to their homes at half the cost. Curb Appeal provides up to $5,000 or 50% of the cost (whichever is less) for homes in targeted areas of Hampton.


The grants are available to all single-family and duplex residential property owners, regardless of income. Target areas are Buckroe, Phoebus, Sussex, Olde Hampton, and Pasture Point. Applications are available online and the deadline is April 30. Projects must be completed within six months. For more information, contact Jasmine Bryson at jbryson@hampton.gov or Marcie Spragan at mspragan@hampton.gov. Curb Appeal web page.


Newport News Receives State


If you want to speak about budget issues in person, plan to attend the Public Budget Hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 at Granby High School, 7101 Granby Street. This is the only public hearing on the budget, and the only time residents will be able to address council members directly during a public forum on budget items.


City Council has planned several work sessions to discuss the FY2020 Proposed Budget. City Council does not accept public comment during any of its work sessions.


The public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. May 7 in City Council chambers deals only with real estate reassessments.


As always, you may express comments or concerns directly to your City Council member. You may find their contact information here or by calling 757-664-4268 or you may express concerns at city council meetings.


AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Returns to Portsmouth Public


Workforce Development Grant Funding will support workforce development training at Brooks Crossing


The City of Newport News was awarded a grant through the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to increase workforce development activities in the Southeast area of the City. The $896,802 grant will support accessible workforce and training services at the Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center, a new workforce center opening in the spring of 2019. After the initial 18 months of the grant, four additional funding years are guaranteed. This grant was created at the request of Virginia First Cities, a coalition of Virginia cities that advocates for increased collaboration and enhanced policies from the state.


To facilitate this grant, the City’s Department of Development will work with the Hampton Roads Community Action Program, the Greater Peninsula Workforce Board, and Peninsula Regional Education Programs. The City will also partner with employers, non-profits and faith-based organizations to offer citizens customized, flexible, comprehensive, and innovative approaches to career awareness, skill development, wealth-building, supportive services, and integrated case management support.


“We are pleased that the Commonwealth recognizes the importance of investing in workforce training for our citizens,” says Newport News Mayor McKinley L. Price. “This grant allows Newport News residents to earn industry certificates and credentials and many will leave the program with guaranteed jobs with our partners. Not only will our residents benefit, but our community and the economy will grow thanks to this generous TANF grant.”


Through this grant, the City is looking to serve 110 participants (90 adults and 20 youth) in the first 18 months. Participants will have the opportunity to earn credentials and higher education certificates and/or degrees. Participants will also benefit from on-the-job training, internships, GED support, pre-registered apprenticeships, skills training, and other workforce development services. The program will offer a minimum of four unique


April 2019


Library Churchland Branch PORTSMOUTH, VA – AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, an AARP Foundation program, helps low to moderate-income taxpayers have more discretionary income for everyday essentials such as food and housing, by assisting with tax services and ensuring that they receive applicable tax credits and deductions.


AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available FREE to taxpayers with low and moderate incomes, with special attention to those who are 60 years old and older. Tax preparation hours are from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, until Monday, April 15th, at Churchland Branch Library, 4934 High Street West.


Each day of the tax preparation service, a sign-up sheet will be posted at 8:30 a.m. In addition to a W-2 from each employer, the following documents are important to bring with you: · Government-issued identification · Last year's tax return · Social Security Cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents · Checkbook or pre-printed direct deposit information for your reloadable prepaid card showing routing number and direct deposit account number if you want a direct deposit of any refund(s)


For more information, contact AARP Foundation Tax-Aide toll free at 1-888- 227-7669 or visit them on the web at www.AARP.org/taxaide.


AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in cooperation with the IRS. Downtown Suffolk Business


Pitch Winners SUFFOLK, Virginia – The winners were selected earlier this year. The Suffolk Economic Development Authority and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development held their Community Business Launch “Pitch Night” event. Twenty individuals completed the program’s business education workshop course and nine submitted business plans to


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