1.
10413 Warwick Boulevard
Newport News, VA 23601
Voice (757) 595-1953 Fax
(757) 595-3428
www.linkhr.org
To Help People Help Themselves
LINK of Hampton Roads
MISSION STATEMENT
“LINK increases the organized capacity of the Greater Virginia Peninsula to address and to
reduce the causes of poverty through collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and maximization of
effective resources.”
HISTORY
LINK has been a part of the Newport News community since 1990. Leaders from the interfaith,
civic and business community founded the organization with intent to break the cycle of poverty.
LINK collaborates with many other organizations to provide a wide range of programs and
services. To date, more than 100 organizations work collaboratively to provide unduplicated,
coordinated services.
AWARENESS
• In Virginia 1 in 10 residents live below the federal poverty threshold
o Federal Poverty Threshold – the threshold is used to estimate the number of
Americans living in poverty each year (Souza).
• Children who live in poverty have a greater risk of experiencing poor nutrition, emotional
distress, academic failure and teenage pregnancy. Adults living in poverty are likely to
suffer from poor health, violence and ability to take care of themselves (Souza).
• There has been a decrease in Virginia’s homeless population since 2010 however; there
are currently 7,020 Virginia residents that are still without permanent shelter (Souza).
• Approximately 62,619 veterans are homeless at any given time and this number can often
double over a year. An estimated 13% of homeless adults are veterans
(Housing/Homelessness).

2. PROGRAMS
LINK’s goal is not to simply provide living necessities to individuals in need but to help reshape
their lives in order to prevent them from ending up back on the streets or in poverty. LINK has
multiple programs that offer a range of services that provide individuals both emotionally and
physically for children and adults. LINK has served over 33,104 individuals to date.
• PORT – People Offering Resources Together program provides emergency shelter,
meals and supportive services for the homeless during the winter seasons 11/5/14 –
03/25/15. (Originated 1992)
• CANLINK – Provides permanent supportive housing to homeless adults with
disabilities, but includes children when the adults have been accepted into the housing
program(s). CANLINK programs assist all involved in achieving life stability, self-
sufficiency, oftentimes within a two year period, sometimes longer time is needed for the
more difficult individuals/families with multiple hurdles to address. (Originated 2004)
• VETERANS REHABILITATIVE SHELTER – The VA Medical Center in Hampton
contracts with LINK to provide housing for veterans in need of rehabilitative housing.
Veterans receive supportive services, transportation, meals, help with resumes, and job
placements for veterans as they recover from illness. (Originated 2013)
For a description of all programs, please visit: http://www.linkhr.org/2012/index.html
MAJOR FUNDERS
• HUD – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• City of Newport News
CONTACTS
For more information on LINK of Hampton Roads feel free to contact:
Executive Director: Lynne Finding lynne.finding@linkhr.org
Logistics and Volunteer Manager: Leigh Mitchell
leigh.mitchell@linkhr.org

3. Sources
"Housing/Homelessness | Virginia Department of Veterans Services." Virginia Department of
Veterans Services. Web. 23 Jan. 2015.
"LINK of Hampton Roads - Community Organization to Help People Help Themselves." LINK
of Hampton Roads - Community Organization to Help People Help. Web. 23 Jan. 2015.
"Measuring Poverty in Virginia - Virginia Performs." Measuring Poverty in Virginia -
Virginia Performs. 11 Nov. 2014. Web. 23 Jan. 2015.
Souza, Gabriella. "Homeless Numbers Take a Big Drop in Virginia." The Virginian-Pilot. 3 Nov.
2014. Web. 23 Jan. 2015.