Strengthening Families
Strong families build strong communities.
Our Strengthening Families programs offer support, education, and resources to help parents, caregivers, and children thrive—together. From early childhood development to counseling and peer mentoring, we walk alongside families at every stage.
Destiny’s Story: Finding Confidence Through Healthy Families
When Destiny first found out she was pregnant, she felt scared and unprepared for motherhood. Through The Up Center’s Healthy Families program, she found the guidance, resources, and support she needed to give her daughter a strong start.
Three years later, Destiny is thriving—confident in her parenting and proud of the bond she’s built with her child. Her story shows how early support can help families grow stronger and more stable.
Each year, The Up Center serves more than 10,000 children, parents, and individuals across Hampton Roads—providing the tools, counseling, and encouragement families need to look up and move forward together.
Real Voices
At The Up Center, doulas provide emotional, physical, and educational support so families never have to face pregnancy, birth, or postpartum alone.
At The Up Center, doulas provide emotional, physical, and educational support so families never have to face pregnancy, birth, or postpartum alone.
When James first joined The Up Center’s Dads Under Construction group for new and expecting fathers, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He and his partner were preparing fo
When James first joined The Up Center’s Dads Under Construction group for new and expecting fathers, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He and his partner were preparing for the arrival of their first child—a high-risk pregnancy that brought equal parts joy and anxiety. During one group session, James shared that he and his partner often felt rushed by their doctor during prenatal appointments and worried their concerns weren’t being heard.
When Carmen joined The Up Center’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, she was expecting her second child and hoping to build a better future for her growing family. Lif
When Carmen joined The Up Center’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, she was expecting her second child and hoping to build a better future for her growing family. Life had not been easy—between work, parenting, and navigating a language barrier, she often felt isolated from the world around her. But through the support and encouragement of her home visitor, Carmen began to see what was possible.
For Alana, a mother in the Parents as Teachers program, the journey had been long and filled with uncertainty. Her oldest child had been placed with a relative through
For Alana, a mother in the Parents as Teachers program, the journey had been long and filled with uncertainty. Her oldest child had been placed with a relative through foster care, and while she focused on raising her younger children, she never stopped working toward reunification. With the steady support of her home visitor, Alana built routines, strengthened her parenting skills, and completed every requirement the court asked of her.
When Jessica began preparing for her first child, she had a clear vision of what she wanted—a calm, unmedicated birth. Her doula at The Up Center helped her craft a det
When Jessica began preparing for her first child, she had a clear vision of what she wanted—a calm, unmedicated birth. Her doula at The Up Center helped her craft a detailed birth plan, walking her through comfort measures, pain management techniques, and the unpredictable nature of labor. Together, they talked through every possibility and gathered resources so Jessica could feel informed and confident when the big day came.
For more than a year, Renee found herself in the middle of a difficult custody dispute with her children’s father. The process was draining—court hearings, tense conver
For more than a year, Renee found herself in the middle of a difficult custody dispute with her children’s father. The process was draining—court hearings, tense conversations, and months of uncertainty. But through it all, Renee stayed focused on what mattered most: protecting her children’s well-being and maintaining stability at home.
When Keira joined The Up Center’s Healthy Families program two and a half years ago, she was a determined teen preparing for motherhood. She and her boyfriend, Dante, w
When Keira joined The Up Center’s Healthy Families program two and a half years ago, she was a determined teen preparing for motherhood. She and her boyfriend, Dante, were still in high school and living with their little boy in a busy multigenerational home. Together, they were learning what it meant to be parents while still figuring out who they were themselves.
Shantae, a devoted mom of five, carries a heart full of determination and dreams for her children. One day, at a routine WIC appointment, she heard about The Up Center.
Shantae, a devoted mom of five, carries a heart full of determination and dreams for her children. One day, at a routine WIC appointment, she heard about The Up Center. Curious but unsure, she decided to give it a try. What she discovered was more than just resources—she found someone who believed in her.
When Naomi joined The Up Center’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, her life was in transition. She had recently faced a series of painful events that left her with la
When Naomi joined The Up Center’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, her life was in transition. She had recently faced a series of painful events that left her with lasting injuries, involvement with Child Protective Services (CPS), and the loss of custody of her three children. Her two oldest went to live with a family member, while her baby was placed in foster care.
When Elena joined The Up Center’s Healthy Families program, her twin boys were just newborns. Over the years, she has built a close relationship with her Family Support
When Elena joined The Up Center’s Healthy Families program, her twin boys were just newborns. Over the years, she has built a close relationship with her Family Support Specialist, learning new ways to support her children’s growth and development. Recently, one of her twins mastered potty training with ease—while the other struggled.
When Jeremy joined The Up Center’s Dads Under Construction group, he was eager to learn how to be the best father he could be. Week after week, he showed up ready to li
When Jeremy joined The Up Center’s Dads Under Construction group, he was eager to learn how to be the best father he could be. Week after week, he showed up ready to listen, share, and grow alongside other dads preparing for fatherhood. But after the birth of his baby in fall of 2024, life became busier.
When Amelia first learned she was carrying twins, excitement quickly turned to worry. Doctors prepared her for an early delivery, expecting the babies to arrive between
When Amelia first learned she was carrying twins, excitement quickly turned to worry. Doctors prepared her for an early delivery, expecting the babies to arrive between 30 and 32 weeks. As her pregnancy progressed, new concerns arose—one baby was positioned breech and the other transverse, making a cesarean section seem inevitable.
Our 2025 Impact
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