Located in the Southeast Community, this neighborhood has a rich African-American heritage. Historically home to many black shipyard workers and administrators, it was once a thriving middle class residential area that grew with the shipbuilding and military economic boom in the first half of the 20th century. The neighborhood boundaries are 39th Street to the north, Hampton Roads harbor to the south, I-664 to the west, and Marshall Avenue and the former Chase Bag property to the east.
In 2019, the City of Newport News and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority received a $30 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program. This grant is transforming the Marshall-Ridley area in the Southeast Community, creating new housing options, community services, recreational opportunities, and parks.
A key component of the Marshall-Ridley Transformation Plan is engaging with former Ridley Place residents to ensure they are aware of available resources and have the support they need to thrive. The City of Newport News has partnered with Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) to lead this important part of the Plan.
Marshall-Ridley, Newport News
One Pager 2022
Download a PDF one-pager to get a better look at how USI has impacted the Marshall-Ridley community.
About the Neighborhood
USI will provide the following strategic pillars of service for each former Ridley household:
Economic Mobility
Bridging together partners across diversified sectors is essential to USI’s mission of ensuring all children & families becoming stable and thriving. Economic mobility is too big a challenge for one organization alone to solve. Therefore, we collaborate with government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, funders, and other local entities to increase the flow of capital, facilitate learning, and advance shared goals in a way that builds robust momentum for all families.
Propelling Educational Success
To ensure all Marshall-Ridley youth obtain access to equitable enriched learning and support opportunities, USI will connect families to community agencies that (1) increase availability, access, and awareness of afterschool programming and other extended learning opportunities, (2) provide access and support for families to participate in quality early learning programs, and (3) ensure all high school youth obtain every opportunity to successfully achieve a high school diploma and access to participate in higher education and a career of choice.
Improving Health & Wellness
To support healthy lifestyle outcomes for all Marshall-Ridley families, strengthening access to high quality healthcare services is critical. Therefore, USI will continue to support all families to reduce the healthcare gaps and address barriers to access quality healthcare.
Engaging Families in Family Support
Since 2022, the Newport News team has connected and engaged (149) families. With resident engagement as a central part of how we connect with our families, we will continue efforts to engage all families that relocated from the Marshall-Ridley site. Using a family centered approach, we are currently assessing the needs of every family member and working to build flourishing relationships. At the core of family support, USI is well equipped at meeting families where they are and connecting them to supportive services that result in all children and families becoming stable and thriving.
The Impact
percent of head of households are employed
percent of families self-report having health insurance
percent of in-school youth participate in enrichment activities
families actively participating in USI’s Family Support services
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