Devan MacConnell joins The Up Center as its new Director of Development.
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For more information or to set up interviews, contact:
Maria Sabale
Communications Coordinator
(757) 965-8695
Press Coverage and Information
Discover the latest news of and about The Up Center.
2012
January 24, 2012
WAVY-TV, The Hampton Roads Show
January 17, 2012
Express Yourself in The Up Center's "Step Up with Style" Challenge
Unique shoe design competition supports community service
January 13, 2012
From the Ground Up: A Foster-to-Adoption Story
AltDaily
Author Chris Dickon captures the story of a woman making a difference in a young boy's life.
January 12, 2012
Finding Forever Homes
WVEC-TV
The Up Center's Shawn Ware-Avant encourages interested viewers to visit the roving exhibit through June.
January 10, 2012
A Fresh Start: Re-Entry From Prison
Hearsay with Cathy Lewis, WHRV
Hear about the struggles of those that were formerly incarcerated; and the agencies that are helping to get this segment back into the working society. The Up Center's Board Chair discusses our job training program and highlights the successes of graduate Juanita Rivera-Gordon.
January 5, 2012
Gallery Hopes to Open Hearts and Homes
WAVY-TV
The Up Center's Shawn Ware-Avant shares more information on this exhibit promoting adoption awareness.
January 3, 2012
Roving Exhibit Aims to Raise Adoption Awareness
Virginian-Pilot
The VA Adoption Heart Gallery to connect foster children to permanent homes.
2011
December 22, 2011
Step Up For a Healthier New You in 2012
Individuals get in shape and help out their community during The Up Center’s annual stair climb.
December 9, 2011
Dia DuVernet Among Hampton Roads’ Top 25 Women in Business
Inside Business
Dia DuVernet receives the Women in Business Achievement Award for her contributions to the local economy and for mentoring others. Click here for official news release.
December 7, 2011
WAVY-TV
There are more than 200 boys, like Jalen featured here on this WAVY clip, that on the waiting list for a mentor. To become a positive role model, contact Jonathan Watford at 397-2121.
December 5, 2011
WCTV-TV, Chesapeake
Local volunteers show the dramatic feats accomplished through mentoring!
November 11, 2011
Obici Healthcare Foundation gives $2.6 million in grants
Suffolk News-Herald
The Up Center is a recipient of the grant.
November 2, 2011
Up Center Books receives $470,000 federal grant
Norfolk Compass
A news brief captures the grant announcement as well as the impact to the local community.
October 31, 2011
The Up Center Secures $470,000 Federal Grant to Expand Transitional Jobs Program
The Up Center was recently awarded a grant of over $470,000 from the Administration for Children and Families for Up Center Books, a program which trains and employs individuals facing barriers to employment, including homelessness, past incarceration, low education attainment and substance abuse recovery.
October 20, 2011
Social Security Administration looks for answers in captivity case
WAVY-TV
The Up Center's Sam Hochberg offers advice on how people can protect their loved one's finances in this WAVY-TV clip.
October 11, 2011
From The Ground Up: Johnny Rogers
AltDaily
Johnny Rogers shares his story of battling substance abuse to rising above adversity and attaining full-time employment at The Up Center.
September 15, 2011
Foreclosure Activity Falls in Hampton Roads
Virginian-Pilot
John Allen offers a compelling status of foreclosures in the region.
August 29, 2011
The story behind this bookstore is uplifting
Inside Business
Juanita Rivera-Gordon turns her life around with the help of Up Center Books.
August 14, 2011
Frank Batten, a man of means, a life of meaning
Virginian-Pilot
Delve into the life of Frank Batten through this Virginian-Pilot book review.
July 29, 2011
Wednesday's Child
WAVY-TV
Jakwon, a Team Up mentee, may not have a prominent father figure in his life, but he does have big dreams. To mentor a child, call the Team Up program at 397-2121.
July 29, 2011
First Person: Devan MacConnell
Inside Business
Learn what drives Devan MacConnell in her non-profit work and what she plans on contributing to The Up Center.
July 27, 2011
Simple steps can put more money in your pocket by 2012
WVEC-TV
John Allen, vice president of Financial & Housing Services, offers tips on how you can save some money.
July 20, 2011
WAVY-TV
Local Navy wife enjoys an afternoon with her 10-year-old mentor, Zaria, at The Virginia Zoo.
July 13, 2011
Up Center hosts autism social skills group
Suffolk News-Herald
The program, which started in October, is hosted in six-week sessions and funded by a grant provided by the Obici Foundation. The center is now hosting its fourth group at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church on Mondays.
July 7, 2011
The Up Center taps Devan MacConnell as new development director
The Up Center announced today that Devan MacConnell has been named Director of Development. In this role, she will implement strategic fundraising initiatives, such as major gift solicitations, planned giving and corporate sponsorships programs, to expand and maintain The Up Center’s base of private support.
July 2, 2011
Suffolk News-Herald
Through weekly group meetings, The Up Center's Fatherhood group offers men guidance to be better fathers to their children and to improve their relationship with their children’s mother.
June 30, 2011
Foundation promises campers fun summer
WAVY-TV
This summer, Camp Horizon will see new faces enjoying a fun-filled break.
May 22, 2011
Forum in Va. Beach tries to link veterans to mental help
Virginian-Pilot
Fred Weston, The Up Center's Director for Outpatient Clinical Services, discusses the effects of PTSD.
May 17, 2011
Returning from war: Helping loved ones in the military overcome PTSD
WVEC-TV
Help is out there for military veterans and families dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
May 16, 2011
Expert advice on dealing with credit card late fees
WVEC-TV
Credit card statements can be daunting if you are already late on a payment. Learn some useful tips in handling your credit.
April 27, 2011
WAVY-TV
Thanks to Chuck Melcher, board member for The Up Center, Timmy Council gets to play soccer with the Norfolk United Soccer League.
April 11, 2011
Up Center Books Spring Book Drive
Inside Business
Hampton Roads Business Journal drives attention to the Up Center Books event on April 30th.
April 6, 2011
Companies promise help, prey on fears of homeowners
WVEC-TV
Up Center Financial Counselor Tuwana Jones shares helpful information in regards to mortgage scams.
April 3, 2011
Hundreds step up for a good cause
WAVY-TV
WAVY arrives on event day and showcases The Up Center mission in this recap segment.
April 1, 2011
WAVY-TV
Team Up Mentor Alex Stukes and Mentee Demitri share their Step Up story with Don Roberts as a preview to the event.
March 31, 2011
Alt Daily
Editor Jesse Scaccia interviews proclimber Ken Myers of Philadelphia, Pa. regarding Step Up for The Up Center stair climb.
March 23, 2011
Up Center opens brick-and-mortar bookstore in Norfolk
Virginian-Pilot
Retail reporter Carolyn Shapiro captures Up Center Books soft launch.
March 21, 2011
The Up Center hosts 2nd Annual Stair Climb
WTKR.com
News Channel 3 reports on Step Up event.
March 19, 2011
Inside Business
Hampton Roads Business Journal includes a news brief on Norfolk's newest used bookstore and job training program.
March 18, 2011
Race to the top for The Up Center
Daily Press
A daily blogger spreads the word to the Peninsula.
March 16, 2011
Step up for a great cause and great exercise
WVEC-TV
100-story climber and top fundraiser Michele Hessel and Board Chairperson Andria McClellan explain why everyone should step up on April 3.
March 14, 2011
Stair Climbers prep for Norfolk fundraiser
Virginian-Pilot
Step Up for The Up Center Boot Camps allow climbers to train for the big event.
March 13, 2011
Stepping it Up for the Community
WAVY-TV
The Up Center's 2nd Annual stair climb challenges everyone 8 years and up to get moving.
March 11, 2011
Credit Chaos for Local Military Man
WVEC-TV
Financial Counselor Tuwana Jones advises what to do if you find mistakes on your credit report
February 25, 2011
Working out with Pierce Tyler
Inside Business
Pierce Tyler of xTuple, a Norfolk software firm, aims to race up 50 stories at Dominion Tower during the Step Up for the Up Center stair climb, April 3.
February 20, 2011
So many more kids than we have mentors
Norfolk Compass
The Up Center's Team Up Mentoring program, Team Up, helps cultivate trusting relationships and motivates students to be successful.
February 10, 2011
Foreclosures drop in region as lenders slow process
Virginian-Pilot
Foreclosures fell steeply in Hampton Roads last month as banks and lenders pulled back on repossessing and auctioning off homes.
February 9, 2011
From the Ground Up: Telling Stories from The Up Center
AltDaily
A new partnership with Editor Jesse Scaccia enables The Up Center to tell its story of successful client service in the Hampton Road's alternative online magazine.
2010
Spotlight Books was featured on both WAVY-TV and WVEC-TV as part of their stories on the National Suit Drive.
Click here to view the Channel 13 story.
Click here to read the WAVY story.
Our Camp Horizon program for people with disabilities was featured in The Virginian-Pilot. Click here to read the story.
The Up Center's Team Up program is featured nearly weekly on WAVY's Wednesday's Child. Click here to view some of the recent stories.
The Up Center's inaugural Step Up stair climbing event garnered much media attention including:
- The Virginian-Pilot article on our boot camp with elite stair climbers
- Norfolk Compass article on firefighters taking the stairs in gear
- Health Journal (page 9 article) on the overall event
- The Flagship article on military members trying a 100 story climb
- Chesapeake Clipper article on a mentoring pair who are stepping up
-Numerous mentions on radio thanks to Eric Worden at BOB FM
-Stair climbing stories on at least 17 newscasts or television shows, including all four major local news channels, particularly WAVY TV.
-The Up Center's Vice President of Housing & Financial Counseling is frequently quoted in articles. In May 2010, he was quoted in an article in The Virginian-Pilot about foreclosures.
-A story on the role of military mentors in our Team Up program was included in all the regional military newspapers. Click here to read the article.
-The merging of Virginia Social Ventures into The Up Center was covered in Inside Business and also in The Virginian Pilot's Business section.
-The Up Center was listed as one of the region's Best Places to Work in Inside Business in 2009.
-The Up Center's role in Norfolk's Foreclosure Prevention Network was highlighted in an article in Hampton Roads section of The Virginian-Pilot in 2009.
-Agency volunteer Bill Howell was honored in a Thumbs Up article that appeared in the Chesapeake Clipper for his work in the agency's food pantry.
-Foster care and adoption success stories were featured in Mix Magazine and Tidewater Family magazine.
-WAVY TV helped The Up Center celebrate its 125th anniversary in October, 2008. Click the link below to see the story:
WAVY News Story (WMV format)
-The Up Center's Team Up Mentoring program was featured in a story on the front page of The Virginian-Pilot's Daily Break section. Click here to read the story.
