Everyday, thousands of Virginia Peninsula residents endure financial hardship – struggling to survive.
We are THRIVE, and we’re helping people.
Everyday, thousands of Virginia Peninsula residents endure financial hardship – struggling to survive.
We are THRIVE, and we’re helping people.
Find out how we’re helping!
THRIVE Peninsula, a 501©(3) non-profit organization, is committed to assisting Virginia Peninsula individuals and families through difficult times.
Fueled by the Light of Christ and the dedicated support of partnering faith communities and other contributors, THRIVE Peninsula ministers to the physical, economic, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of our neighbors. Addressing both essential living needs (e.g., food, housing, utilities) and the unique crises affecting each person, this volunteer-driven coalition helps coordinate community resources for a tailored, integrated response.
With comprehensive budget education among its core (no cost) services, THRIVE strives to encourage people to be active participants in the resolution of their present plight and the plan for long-term financial stability. Formerly known as Denbigh United Christian Outreach (DUCO – est. 1973), present-day THRIVE Peninsula remains among the most long-standing outreach services of its kind in its local community. How humbling to witness and be a part of seeing thriving families create a thriving community!
A united Peninsula faith community, partnering with community resources, to help those most in need resolve their immediate crises and lead lives of more faithful stewardship.
To Encourage, Educate and Empower our Peninsula neighbors in need toward transformed and self-sustaining lives.
Since its inception in 1973, Denbigh United Christian Outreach (DUCO) has been driven by the mission to reveal the love and compassion of our Lord through helping people who have emergency needs for food or financial assistance, (e.g., to prevent utility cut-off or eviction).
Inspired by “Key 73” (an ecumenical outreach in North America), Christians from the local churches offered counsel and other means of vital support to their Denbigh neighbors in need. Desiring to reflect the creed and collaborative mission of those helping to support this ministry, the founding fathers formally adopted the name, Denbigh United Christian Outreach, in 1974.
DUCO’s Foundational Inspiration
As the ministry flourished, Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church offered DUCO the use of its White Building in the early 1980s, where a food pantry and clothing closet were established. Emergency financial assistance continued to be coordinated via telephone by a few dedicated volunteers who worked from their homes.
As the needs of the community increased and to provide a central base of operation, the DUCO Outreach Center was officially opened in the White Building on February 1, 1993. Fellow Christians from the various DUCO churches were invited to take an on-site, active part in ministering to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in crisis in the local community. After helping so many others find and keep shelter, DUCO now had a home of its own.
White Building
Because this fledgling ministry spread its wings (in contributors, consumers and range of services) beyond its Denbigh birthing ground, the organization changed its name to THRIVE Peninsula, in 2013, to more accurately represent its present scope and purpose.
Today, spanning the Peninsula, THRIVE leads a union of faith communities and other partners in Encouraging, Educating & Empowering individuals and families facing great adversity—confident that on wings of Wisdom, Hope & Love, all may THRIVE and soar to a greater Good!
Thrive Today
THRIVE Peninsula—a name inspired by the Social Weaver (or Sociable Weaver)—is a species of bird endemic to Southern Africa. What is unique about these spectacular creatures is that they build unprecedentedly large community nests able to house over 100 pairs of birds, containing several generations at a time. Recognized by their nurture of younger siblings and even unrelated hatchlings, Social Weaver pairs are nearly always assisted by helpers. Meek but Mighty, they thrive through their collaboratively constructed homes and communal living with different species, despite harsh environmental conditions.
And who, might we ask, reminds us of the Ultimate Social Weaver? It is The Christ—the God-man who embraced all people—championing the isolated, ostracized, destitute and disadvantaged. This Great Encourager thrived in what mattered most in life, celebrating community and the edification of one another. In spite of adversity of epic proportions, this Meek but Mighty Creation gifted mankind with the message of unparalleled Love.
The heartbeat of the THRIVE Peninsula family is that we be conduits of this Supernatural Love and Wisdom. It is the hope that, in supportive community, all God’s people prosper holistically—flourishing in the fullness of joy and strength for body, mind, soul and spirit.
Will you join us in helping families and our community THRIVE?
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
~John 10:10b
Angela York
Executive Director
Johniene Miller
Assistant Director
Regan Mosely
Resource Development Manager
Mary Retzlaff
Program Services Manager
Gina McDonald
AARP Staff Member
THRIVE Peninsula
Board of Directors
THRIVE Peninsula helps equip people with new perspectives and practical tools as they transition through their crises toward financial peace and accountability.
A myriad of heart-wrenching calls are received by your community of faith or organization…a mother of three children pleads for financial help to restore her electric and water services.
Are you aware of the resources available for this family?
A family facing eviction or already homeless appears at the door of your church, organization or business.
Is your community of faith or business management prepared to respond with more than a temporary fix?
A transient family arrives during worship services requesting that a collection be taken to help with food, transportation or hotel expenses.
Is your leadership informed about the ways and means to minister to these families?
Elevate our thinking, our actions, our expectations toward positive change.
Helping people establish a foundation for financial self- sufficiency (as funds are available), this introductory program includes:
Enhanced program services designed to assist and encourage people in achieving financial independence include:
Our emergency food assistance includes fresh produce, frozen meats, deli and bakery foods as well as non-perishable items. Families are able to “shop” in our food pantry for the items they need, which reduces food waste. Our food pantry is part of the United Way First Call Pantry Network. To receive a referral to our pantry, please call 757-594-4636 during our normal pantry hours. Click here to view our pantry hours.
THRIVE acts a central financial aid clearinghouse for about 75 local churches and community groups. Our mission has been sustained throughout the decades by faithful partnerships with our covenant congregations and other community contributors. Find out how you can join this collaborate network, minimize duplication of services, and increase sound stewardship of resources. Click here to send us an email or call our office and ask about becoming a partner.
As resources are available, THRIVE provides supplemental services, such as:
For over four decades, the Body of Christ and other contributors have energized a ministry through Denbigh United Christian Outreach. Today, THRIVE Peninsula continues to help shepherd hurting families in our community.
We receive thousands of calls from families each year who are on the verge of hunger, homelessness and utility cut-off. We need your financial support to help us provide them with a vital safety net to get them through their hardship.
Between 2015 and 2018, THRIVE has more than doubled its service to the community. This has been made possible by the increased number of financial contributors who have blessed our ministry. Click here to learn more about our accomplishments over the past 3 years. If you are interested in learning more about giving or would like a personal tour of our facility, please call 757-877-6211.
Churches, organizations, and community groups often ask: how can we help? Host a drive for any of the goods listed below. Or make a bigger impact and host a Give Change, Change Lives coin drive! If you are willing to coordinate a drive at your gym, workplace, club meeting, civic group or church, please let us know. We have the materials to get you started.
Here is the heart of this THRIVING bird! There are many ways to make a difference and be a blessing in the lives of families facing dire situations! View THRIVE’s Volunteer Opportunities for some ways to help. If interested, please Download Our Volunteer Application and return it us. Let’s connect, energize and take flight!
Do you shop at Kroger or on Amazon.com? If so, please consider linking your account to THRIVE Peninsula; a percentage of your purchase will be donated back to our organization at no cost to you. It’s an easy way to give back and make a difference! Click here to learn more about Kroger, and click here to learn more about Amazon.
As we journey in community, in service, please join us in undergirding this mission with the Power of Prayer!
Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10