New initiative to support young people [Video]

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The City of Newport News has announced a $500 million youth initiative program—Youth T.H.R.I.V.E

Mayor Philip Jones calls 2024 the ‘Year of the Youth,’ and says now, they’re putting their money where their mouth is. THRIVE stands for Transforming Hearts, Renewing Investment and Valuing Empowerment. 

During an unveiling Monday morning, he said the investment embodies a holistic approach to creating a supportive environment where young people feel valued while leveraging the city’s financial investment to offer workforce training programming.

“It’s always going to be easier to build up children than to repair broken men,” Jones said, quoting Frederick Douglass. “We have amazing young people, but we have to invest in them because ultimately, they’re the future councilwoman and mayor and CEO.”

Jones said they’re investing …