NORFOLK, Va. — Kimberly Powell and John Smith believe change starts with the youth. The couple's nonprofit pairs kids with role models to help them reach success in life.
"The problem I've identified within the community is the lack of resources," said Powell, who co-founded a nonprofit with Smith called 757 We Care to empower kids and teens in the community.
"Maybe they didn't have the resources, the leadership, the mentorship. It's really just a positive male structure that we really lack as a whole," Smith said. "And now, 757 We Care is starting to bring those around and really make an impact."
The mission to help young people is inspired by Smith's own life.
"I didn't have a father growing up," Smith said. "I wound up going to prison at 15."
When Smith returned home year later, he says he decided to turn his life around.
"I started barbering," Smith said. "And the first thing we learned through the barbershop is we are the pillars of the community."
Smith now shares that lesson with local youth as the owner of Heavy Hitters Barbershop in Virginia Beach.
"[I'm} trying to bring the kids to the barbershop and give the kids the conversations," Smith said. "Those [types] of things that I know I needed when I was a kid, I just tried to bring back to the community."
Smith and Powell also work to empower young people through 757 We Care's mentorship program, Together We Can.
"We have a lot of parents that are reaching out, saying that they need mentors," Powell said.
Many of the parents they connect with are single parents. It's a group Powell said is close to her heart.
"My mom was a single parent of three kids," Powell said. "So, that's where my passion comes from."
She brings that passion to 757 We Care, working to support single parents through the nonprofit's various programs and events.
Together, Powell and Smith are working with other local organizations to make their group a powerful resource in the community.
"[We regularly hold]...Christmas... [back to] school... Hygiene for Homeless, and... Thanksgiving drive[s]," Smith said.
The couple also wants 757 We Care to be a productive space for kids and teens.
"[We're] giving them access to careers... giving them access to homes and making sure that they're able to have a sustainable living."
They hope the group's efforts help build a brighter future for the next generation.
"[We want] to help them be successful," Powell said. "Meet them where they are."
"We have to all do our small, individual part to make a large impact," Smith said.
The Together We Can Mentorship Program urgently needs more mentors. You can sign up online as well as learn about sponsoring and donating through 757 We Care's website.