Colley Community Center, Inc.

The Colley Community Center (CCC) encourages lifelong learning and fosters meaningful connections among Norfolk residents of all ages. With the help of facilitators and volunteers, we host bi-monthly workshops focused on cultivating knowledge, creativity, and personal growth. Whether our workshops are centered on promoting practical skills or exploring artistic passions, we provide content rooted in the needs and interests of our neighbors. Our community center provides participants with access to content that is engaging, timely, and potentially transformative. What makes us unique, though?

1. We prioritize multi-generational programs.

2. We push back against social isolation.

3. We empower both learners & leaders from within our communi

ty. Since opening in May 2024, participants ranging in age from 5 to 78 have had the chance to try their hand at making jewelry, pottery, and wreaths. They've learned more about photography and flower arranging. They've engaged in reflective journaling, mindful meditations, and group drawing activities. Those who have attended our practical workshops have learned more about money management, parenting strategies, emergency preparedness, handling conflict in the workplace, and resourceful gardening. They've been able to ask local college students what to expect from life on campus. They've had the chance to practice implementing self-defense tactics, introducing themselves confidently during a job interview, and creating personal affirmations to practice self-car

e.  The idea for the CCC emerged in the midst of conversations about ways we could not only offer meaningful content to our neighbors, but also seek to strengthen ties among those living in the Norfolk area. As countless folks have expressed feeling isolated as of late (and it's even been identified by the Surgeon General as a public health concern*) we prioritize maintaining a welcoming place where community members can gather to engage relevant topics and at the same time connect with othe

rs. Our approach to community development is also unique in that workshops are led by community members who live and work in the area. We already know there is greatness in our neighborhoods; our goal is to maintain a space that shines a light on the leaders and creatives who make our diverse community so wonderful! We've had ODU and NSU students, practicing lawyers, a representative from the DEA, local business owners and artisans, physicians, Red Cross volunteers, multiple nonprofit organizations, and more lead interactive and informative sessions over the last 11 months. In this way, we strive to not just empower our participants, but also the emerging and experienced community leaders alike in our reg

ion.At the CCC, we believe rich learning experiences should be accessible to ALL community members, so our workshops are all donation-based. Too often, costs create a barrier to learning; as such, our fundraising efforts aim to provide our neighbors the chance to acquire knowledge and experience the joy that comes from developing a new skill or discovering an artistic abil

ity.Founded in May 2023 and opening our doors in May 2024, the CCC quickly moved from dream to reality; this is in large part because of the amazing support we received during the GiveLocal757 fundraiser last April! Donations helped pay for everything from murals to classroom chairs to storage cabinets. This year, though, your gifts will allow us to sustain and even grow our programs. This year's donations will help maintain our current programs AND broaden our impact as we prepare to offer additional community-focused programs. One such program is our Beyond the Bell afterschool program for Norfolk youth that we aim to launch in November 2

025.To date, we've hosted 23 workshops. We've had over 220 participants attend our workshops ranging in age from 5 to 78 years old. We've learned from over 60 different facilitators who have donated their time and talent. We've befriended more than 20 volunteers who have supported our events. We've been awarded 4 grants. We've participated in our civic league's Halloween event, and with the help of some community-minded sponsors, we've put on a Winter Wonderland event that enabled over 20 families to take professional photos with Santa

.   We have 16 more workshops and events planned between now and the end of the year. Your financial support will help us provide these community-focused programs with confidence and excellence. Whether your gift helps keep our participants cool while they attend the Safety Summit workshop in July, provides books about writing personal statements to our teenage participants in September, or even covers the cost of supplies for our flower pressing class in December, each donation will help us do a little bit more to decrease the feelings of isolation and disconnection in our community. More than that, it will help promote personal growth and flourishing among participants who may not otherwise hav…