The Power of Showing Up
On August 17, we honor nonprofits like The Up Center—and the communities that make our mission possible.
Every day, nonprofits across the country step in where systems fall short. They show up—for children, for families, for individuals—offering support, resources, and hope. And once a year, on National Nonprofit Day, we pause to recognize that vital work.
At The Up Center, we’ve been showing up for over 140 years. From mentoring youth to helping families find stability, we work every day to build a stronger, healthier Hampton Roads. But we don’t do it alone.
We do it with you.
Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, shared a post, or told a friend about our programs—you are part of this story. National Nonprofit Day is not just about organizations like ours. It’s about the community that fuels them.
A Mission Moment That Says It All
When Mary joined the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, she was in the middle of the hardest chapter of her life. After a series of traumatic events, she lost custody of her three children—two placed with a family member, one in foster care. But Mary didn’t give up. With the guidance of a CPS worker and the steady support of her home visitor, she committed to rebuilding her life and reuniting her family.
Over the past eight months, Mary showed tremendous growth—learning parenting strategies, engaging in child development activities, and enrolling her children in school. Her older children, once struggling, were both named Students of the Month. Though setbacks challenged her, Mary stayed focused. At her recent court hearing, she was granted full, sole custody of her two eldest children and entered into a permanency plan for her infant. When asked if she was ready, she smiled and said, “This is the moment I’ve waited for.” Her home visitor celebrated alongside her—because every step of that journey was made together.
Why This Day Matters
There are more than 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S., employing over 12 million people and reaching countless lives every day. But behind every program and statistic is a story. A real person, in our community, whose life was changed because someone cared enough to help.
That’s what National Nonprofit Day is all about. Not just celebrating the work—but celebrating the people who make it happen.
Join Us
On this National Nonprofit Day, we invite you to be part of something bigger.
If you’ve ever thought about donating to The Up Center, today is a perfect day. Your gift doesn’t just go into a program. It goes into a story—a second chance, a safe home, a new beginning.
👉 Make a gift today and help us continue showing up—for the families, kids, and individuals who need us most.
Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate Hampton Roads. One story at a time.
Honoring Our Team
The Heart of Our Mission
Behind every success story at The Up Center is a team of compassionate, skilled, and dedicated individuals who make the mission come alive.
Whether it’s a family support specialist visiting a new mom at home, a housing counselor helping a veteran avoid eviction, or a therapist creating a safe space for healing—our team shows up every single day with heart and purpose.
Their impact is often quiet, sometimes unseen—but always powerful. And because of them, lives in our community are being changed.
“We are helpers, advocates, and listeners—but more than anything, we are neighbors who care.”
This National Nonprofit Day, we celebrate every Up Center team member. Your empathy, your dedication, and your belief in a better tomorrow are what make this work matter.
To our staff: thank you for showing up—for our clients and for each other.
To our community: when you support The Up Center, you’re supporting these changemakers—and everything they make possible.
