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 workshops and events focused on cultivating knowledge, creativity, and personal growth. Whether our programs are centered on promoting practical skills or exploring artistic passions, we provide content rooted in the needs and interests of our neighbors.  What makes us unique, though?

1. We offer multi-generational programs.

2. We reduce social isolation.

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

 Since opening in May 2024, participants ranging in age from 2 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 aboutmoney management, parenting strategies, emergency preparedness, handling conflict in the workplace, and resourceful gardening. High school students have been able to ask local college students what to expect from life on campus. Local residents have had the chance to learn self-defense tactics, introduce themselves confidently during a job interview, and create personal affirmations to strengthen their sense of self.

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 others. 

Our approach to community development is also unique in that workshops are led by community members who live and work in the area. Our goal is to provide 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, local business owners and artisans, physicians, Red Cross volunteers, medical students, lisenced therapists, multiple nonprofit organizations, and more lead interactive and informative sessions over the last 2 years. In this way, we strive to not just empower our participants, but also the emerging and experienced community leaders alike in our region.

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 ability.

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 2026 We had a "soft launch" in November 2025, and we were blown away by the positive feedback we received from our high school participants. To date, we've hosted 35 workshops. We've had over 450 participants attend our workshops ranging in age from 2 to 78 years old. We've learned from over 90 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 5 grants. We've participated in our civic league's Halloween event, and with the help of some community-minded sponsors, we've put on two Winter Wonderland evente that enabled over 50 families to take professional photos with Santa.  

We have multiple workshops and events planned between now and the end of the year, but we need your help in bringing these programs to life! Your financial support will help us provide these community-focused programs with confidence and excellence. Whether your gift provides art supplies or office supplies 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 have such opportunities.

From all of us at the CCC, we're grateful for your interest in our work, and we value any support you can offer us as we seek to provide programs that enrich the lives of our Norfolk neighbors.

*Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. US Department of Health and Human Services.