Building Resilience: Highlights from The Up Center’s 2026 Annual Meeting

“Building Resilience” theme highlights the relationships and coordinated support helping people move forward across Hampton Roads.

Norfolk, VA (October 30, 2026) —

The Up Center brought together supporters, community partners, board members and staff on October 28 for its 2026 Annual Meeting, celebrating a year of impact and introducing a vision for making support more accessible to individuals and families across Hampton Roads.

Centered on the theme Building Resilience, the gathering highlighted how trusted relationships, connected services and community partnerships help people strengthen their well-being, find stability and pursue their goals.

“At The Up Center, our work begins with a simple belief: no one should have to face life’s challenges alone,” said Tina Gill, President & CEO.

During fiscal year 2026, The Up Center’s work touched more than 15,000 lives across Hampton Roads. More than 1,800 people received mental health services, and nearly 88% of people with measured outcomes showed improvement.

Throughout the program, Gill and Chief Program & Strategic Officer Andrea Long connected those results to the everyday experiences behind them: a parent gaining confidence, a young person finding someone to count on, and a homeowner maintaining independence and security.

Four Mission Moment videos brought that impact into focus. Brittni shared how seeking mental health support opened doors to greater financial and housing stability. Monique and Niya’s mentoring relationship illustrated the importance of encouragement and belonging. Ruth’s story showed how financial guidance and home accessibility resources helped her remain safely in her own home. Kristen described the confidence and progress she built through early childhood home visiting and her own determination.

Together, the stories reflected The Up Center’s approach to understanding the full picture of people’s lives and connecting them with support as their needs evolve.

Additional highlights from the year included:

• 97% of households receiving eviction or foreclosure prevention services avoided losing their housing.
• 65 households achieved homeownership through housing and financial counseling.
• 767 early childhood home visits brought guidance and practical support directly to families.
• $459,859 in accessibility grants helped homeowners and veterans make their homes safer and more accessible.

The meeting also looked toward the future with the introduction of The Family Resilience Center, a planned hub for coordinated care and community connection at The Up Center’s 19th Street location.

The vision centers on making it easier for people to find help, connect with services and access support that reflects their needs. Plans include welcoming spaces for children and families, private counseling areas, accessible environments, community education and gathering spaces, and opportunities for community partners to work alongside The Up Center.

The Center will strengthen that collaboration while The Up Center continues serving people in homes, schools, neighborhoods and other trusted settings throughout Hampton Roads.

The gathering also recognized outgoing board members Mark Hugel and Joanne Taylor for their leadership and contributions, along with the staff, partners and supporters who make the organization’s work possible.

Explore The Up Center’s FY26 Annual Report and watch the Mission Moment videos at www.theupcenter.org/2026-annual-report.