What We Do?
When a family finds its rhythm, something powerful happens. Children laugh more easily. Parents breathe a little slower. The home starts to feel lighter, warmer – like a place where everyone belongs. Even the smallest routines – morning breakfasts, bedtime stories, or quiet car rides – become moments that hold a family together. At The Up Center, that’s what we work for every single day: helping families in Virginia rediscover that sense of connection and stability. Because when children and parents grow stronger together, everything else in life begins to change in a positive way.
For more than 140 years, The Up Center has been helping families across Hampton Roads and beyond find hope when they need it most.
Times have changed since we first started, but one thing has stayed constant: families are the foundation of every community. And when families struggle, entire neighborhoods do too.
Our Early Childhood Home Visiting programs support our focus on strengthening children and families by giving parents, caregivers, and young children the guidance they need during the earliest and most important years. Through personalized visits, coaching, and connections to community resources, families learn new skills, strengthen relationships, and build confidence as they move toward a healthier and more stable future..
Our Impact
children and parents received personalized support
of children screened for developmental delays
new mothers were screened for post-partum depression
We’ve seen what happens when people are given the right kind of support. Families that once felt overwhelmed begin to communicate again. Parents who felt like they were barely holding on start to smile. Children who carried the weight of uncertainty begin to play freely, to laugh again. That’s what keeps us doing this work – it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
Listening First
When we first meet a family, we don’t start with assumptions or checklists. We start with a conversation. We ask questions like, “How are things going?” and “What do you wish felt different at home?” Parents often open up about the daily problems they face – financial pressures, exhaustion, or feeling like their best efforts just aren’t enough. A lot of them tell us they love their kids deeply, but they’re tired, worried, or unsure how to handle certain behaviors.
At The Up Center, we meet people exactly where they are. There’s no judgment and no pressure. Our specialists listen – really listen – to what families need. Then, together, we begin to build a plan that works for everyone. That might mean setting simple goals, like creating calmer morning routines or learning how to manage big emotions without yelling. It might also mean addressing deeper issues, like healing after trauma or rebuilding trust after difficult experiences.
We believe that real change starts with empathy. When parents feel heard, they’re more willing to try new things. When children feel safe, they begin to open up and trust. And when both sides start to understand each other better, even small steps forward can have a huge impact.
Success Stories
Some of the most powerful moments at The Up Center aren’t dramatic – they’re quiet. Like the moment a child hugs their parent for the first time in months. Or when a mom who once doubted herself can think, “I’m actually proud of how I handled that today.”
There was a family who came to us after years of feeling disconnected. The parents were exhausted, constantly arguing, and unsure on how to help their son, who was struggling in school. Slowly, through weekly visits, they began to rebuild. They learned how to communicate without shouting. They started setting small goals and celebrating progress together. By the end of the program, their son’s teachers noticed a change – he was calmer, happier, more focused. His parents said their home finally felt peaceful again.
Stories like that remind us why this work matters. Change doesn’t always happen overnight, but it happens – and when it does, it has an effect on others. One stronger family can inspire another. And that’s how communities grow.
Listening First
When we first meet a family, we don’t start with assumptions or checklists. We start with a conversation. We ask questions like, “How are things going?” and “What do you wish felt different at home?” Parents often open up about the daily problems they face – financial pressures, exhaustion, or feeling like their best efforts just aren’t enough. A lot of them tell us they love their kids deeply, but they’re tired, worried, or unsure how to handle certain behaviors.
At The Up Center, we meet people exactly where they are. There’s no judgment and no pressure. Our specialists listen – really listen – to what families need. Then, together, we begin to build a plan that works for everyone.
That might mean setting simple goals, like creating calmer morning routines or learning how to manage big emotions without yelling. It might also mean addressing deeper issues, like healing after trauma or rebuilding trust after difficult experiences.
We believe that real change starts with empathy. When parents feel heard, they’re more willing to try new things. When children feel safe, they begin to open up and trust. And when both sides start to understand each other better, even small steps forward can have a huge impact.
Learning Together
Our “Early Childhood Home Visiting” program combines evidence-based methods with genuine, one-on-one connection. We provide parenting education, emotional support, and practical coaching – all grounded in respect and compassion. Our family specialists work with parents in their homes or in the community, offering real solutions that fit real lives.
Parenting isn’t about getting everything right; it’s about learning and growing together. Through our program, families learn discipline techniques that focus on communication and understanding rather than punishment. We talk about the importance of setting routines and boundaries, not as restrictions, but as ways to create stability and trust. We teach parents how to model emotional regulation – because children learn most from the examples they see.
For one family, this might mean learning to react more calmly when a child has a meltdown instead of reacting in frustration. For another, it might mean finding new ways to connect after years of emotional distance. For many, it’s about rediscovering joy in parenting – the kind that comes when daily chaos starts to feel a little more manageable.
And we should celebrate every victory, no matter how small: a single parent managing to get everyone out the door without tears; a child choosing to talk about their feelings instead of acting out; a parent learning to take a pause, breathe, and try again. Those moments are the building blocks of lasting change.
A Team of Support
At The Up Center, we understand that families don’t grow stronger in isolation – they do it with community. That’s why our work doesn’t stop with parenting skills. We look at the whole picture: mental health, finances, housing, relationships, and overall stability.
If a parent is struggling with depression or anxiety, we can connect them with our Mental Health program. If financial issues are creating tension at home, we have specialists who can help with budgeting, credit counseling, and long-term stability. If a family is involved in foster care or needs extra help navigating child services, we walk with them through that too.
It’s all connected. When parents have the tools to manage stress and use the resources they need (that we can provide), they can show up for their children in ways that change everything. And when children feel safe and supported, their confidence grows everywhere- at home, in school, and out in the world.
Across Virginia, families come to us from every background and circumstance. Some are rebuilding after hard times. Others simply want to strengthen their relationships and build better habits. We treat every family with the same respect and compassion. Because we know that behind every challenge is love – and love is the strongest starting point there is.
Investing in the Future
Helping families isn’t just about solving problems in the present – it’s about investing in the future. The lessons learned in the “Early Childhood Home Visiting” program don’t stop when our sessions end. They continue to influence the way parents and children interact for years to come. When parents learn to handle stress in healthy ways, children learn resilience. When families build routines that create safety, kids develop confidence. When love and consistency replace chaos, everyone benefits.
And the impact doesn’t stop at one family. A child who grows up feeling supported becomes an adult who contributes positively to society. A parent who finds healing becomes a mentor for others. This is how communities grow stronger – from the inside out, one family at a time.
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How your funds are used:
Each of these initiatives is only possible through your generosity. Every dollar makes an immediate and measurable difference. When you make a gift to The Up Center, you’re not just donating — you’re partnering with us to build a stronger, more connected community.
Hope That Lasts
At The Up Center, we never forget that behind every file, every appointment, and every program is a story… a human story filled with love, worry, hope, and perseverance. Our mission is to help families write the next chapter of that story with strength and optimism.
We’ve seen families who once felt broken rediscover their connection. We’ve seen parents who were unsure of themselves learn that they are enough. We’ve seen children who once struggled with fear or anger begin to feel joy again. And we’ve seen that no matter how dark things may seem, there’s always a way forward.
If you or someone you love is feeling overwhelmed, know this: you don’t have to go through it alone. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to take that first step. Reach out, and we’ll meet you there – with open hearts, listening ears, and the unwavering belief that your family can grow stronger than ever before.
Because families are the heart of every community. And when we lift them up, we lift up everyone around them. That’s what The Up Center is here to do – one conversation, one family, one hopeful step at a time.
F.A.Q.
Everything you need to know about supporting the Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at The Up Center
“Early Childhood Home Visiting” at The Up Center is made up of two evidence-based services: Healthy Families and Parents as Teachers. Together, they provide in-home and community-based support to help parents and caregivers build stronger relationships with their children. The program focuses on communication, emotional regulation, healthy routines, and creating a safe, stable environment for families to thrive.
Through regular home visits, developmental guidance, and simple hands-on activities, families receive support from pregnancy through early childhood. Parent educators help caregivers understand each stage of development, manage stress, build strong daily routines, and create nurturing bonds that support learning and long-term stability.
Healthy Families is open to expecting parents and families in Norfolk with newborns who may benefit from extra support during pregnancy and the first years of a child’s life. Families often join during pregnancy or shortly after birth, and the program follows them through early childhood.
Parents as Teachers partners with families in Norfolk and Portsmouth from pregnancy to kindergarten. It is designed for any parent or caregiver who wants to better understand their child’s development, strengthen bonding, and build school readiness.
Together, these programs give parents and caregivers practical support during the most important years of growth.
The Up Center offers many services at no cost to families, depending on eligibility and program requirements. Our goal is to make support accessible to anyone who needs it. Families can contact The Up Center directly to learn more about available options.
Families receive personalized, one-on-one coaching that can include parenting education, emotional support, child development guidance, trauma-informed care, and strategies for creating calm, consistent routines at home. Specialists also help with stress management, communication, and rebuilding trust within the home.
If a parent is struggling with mental health challenges, The Up Center can connect them with its Mental Health program for counseling and therapeutic support. Family stability often starts with parental well-being, and we help ensure parents get the resources they need to feel grounded and supported.
Yes. The program teaches parents evidence-based strategies for understanding and responding to children’s behaviors. When children feel safe and supported, they often become more open, communicative, and better able to regulate their emotions.
Every family is different. Some notice improvements within a few weeks, such as calmer routines or better communication. Others need more time as they work through deeper challenges. The program focuses on sustainable, long-term growth rather than quick fixes.
Yes. The Up Center looks at the full picture. Families can be connected to financial counseling, credit coaching, housing stability programs, mental health support, foster care navigation, and other services that contribute to long-term family stability.
No. Many families join simply because they want to strengthen their relationships, improve communication, or build healthier routines. The program supports all families—those in crisis and those who want to grow before problems start.
Families can reach out to The Up Center directly by phone or through the website to learn about eligibility, schedule an intake conversation, or get connected with a family specialist. The first step is a simple conversation about your needs and goals.
