Hands Across the City

Warwick Memorial United Church and the City of Newport News are partnering for a safer community. In response to the increased drug and crime activity in their neighborhood, and saddened by the shootings and deaths that have occurred, Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church established a response called Hands Across the City aimed at extending meaningful relationships with the community of Courthouse Green.

Four weekday blitzes have been held since late May. Volunteers from Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church have worked on over 20 houses to make residents’ homes warmer, safer, and drier. The City of Newport News has provided loaner tools, supplies and truckloads of mulch. The money saved from these donations goes to go other home supplies needed for these blitzes.

In conjunction with the Courthouse Green homeowner’s association and the Peninsula Food Bank, the program started a daily lunch program offering a free lunch to all children and youth in the community over the summer. The Newport News Police Department has also joined in the activity and drop by as their schedule allows to let the children explore their cruiser, play cards with the older youth, and build an important foundation of caring.

Additional projects, including Upward Basketball Clinics to help build basketball skills for all youth 18 and under, are being planned by Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church for Courthouse Green in the coming weeks and months as part of their long-term approach to reach other hands across the city.

For more information, please contact Rev. Peggy Langille at: 757-897-6151.