PCCDC THRIVES™ — Pillar Five
Vibrant Youth & Families
“Strengthening Children. Supporting Families. Building Stronger Generations.”
PCCDC believes strong communities depend upon strong families and meaningful investment in young people. The Vibrant Youth & Families pillar seeks to provide mentoring, academic support, career exploration, leadership development, and family engagement programs that help young people grow — and help families thrive — in Hampton Roads.
Purpose
Why Youth & Family Investment Matters
Strong communities are built on strong families and strong young people. When children and youth have access to caring mentors, academic support, career exposure, and positive community engagement, they are better positioned to become confident, capable, and contributing members of their communities.
Families are the foundation of community life. When families are stable, connected to resources, and supported in their roles, children are more likely to succeed — in school, in life, and in their communities.
PCCDC's Vibrant Youth & Families pillar is grounded in the belief that community development must include intentional investment in the next generation — not as a secondary priority, but as a core component of long-term community progress. The work done with young people today shapes the communities of tomorrow.
Youth Mentoring
Youth Mentoring
Positive adult role models can be transformative in the lives of young people. PCCDC seeks to connect youth with caring, consistent mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and support for personal and professional development.
Mentoring relationships may focus on education and academic motivation, leadership and responsibility, goal-setting and future planning, community belonging and civic identity, and the development of character, confidence, and resilience. PCCDC seeks to recruit, screen, and support mentors who are committed to the long-term success of the young people they serve.
Academic Support
Academic Support
Educational success is one of the most powerful predictors of long-term opportunity. PCCDC seeks to support academic achievement through programs and resources that help young people stay on track and reach their potential. Potential academic support activities may include:
- Tutoring and homework support programs
- Literacy initiatives and reading enrichment
- Educational workshops and enrichment activities
- Technology access and computer lab support
- School-supply programs and back-to-school support
- Connections to educational resources and scholarship information
Career Exploration
Career Exploration
Many young people — particularly those from underserved communities — have limited exposure to the full range of career and educational pathways available to them. PCCDC seeks to broaden that horizon by connecting youth with career exploration opportunities that spark curiosity, build aspiration, and open doors.
Potential career exploration activities may include exposure to professional careers and skilled trades, college and university awareness programs, entrepreneurship and small-business education, public service and civic career pathways, technology and STEM career exploration, internship and job-shadowing opportunities, and connections to workforce development programs.
Leadership Development
Leadership Development
Leadership is not reserved for adults. PCCDC seeks to develop leadership skills in young people through structured programs that build the competencies they will need to succeed in school, work, and community life. Potential leadership development activities may include:
- Teamwork and collaborative problem-solving
- Communication and public speaking skills
- Decision-making and critical thinking
- Civic engagement and community responsibility
- Service-learning and community contribution projects
- Personal responsibility and accountability development
Sports & Recreation
Sports & Recreation
Sports and recreation are powerful tools for youth development. Beyond physical fitness, organized sports teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and healthy competition — skills that transfer directly to academic and professional success.
PCCDC seeks to provide or support access to sports and recreational activities for youth in Hampton Roads. Potential activities may include soccer, basketball, volleyball, fitness programs, and outdoor recreation. Sports programs are designed to reinforce positive values and character development alongside athletic participation.
Technology & Digital Learning
Technology & Digital Learning
Digital literacy is no longer optional — it is essential for educational success, workforce readiness, and full participation in modern community life. PCCDC seeks to support technology and digital learning opportunities for youth where resources permit.
Potential technology and digital learning activities may include computer literacy and basic technology skills, digital creativity and media production, introductory coding and programming concepts, online safety and responsible digital citizenship, entrepreneurship through technology, and media literacy and critical evaluation of digital content.
Family Support
Family Support
Children thrive when their families are stable, informed, and connected to resources. PCCDC seeks to support families — not just youth — as a core component of its community development work.
Where appropriate, PCCDC may connect families with programs across the THRIVES™ framework — including housing stability and affordability resources, employment and workforce development connections, financial literacy and economic empowerment programs, food security and nutrition resources, and broader community support services. PCCDC's goal is to strengthen the whole family, not just the individual.
Program Standards
Youth Safety & Child Protection
The safety and well-being of every young person served by PCCDC is a non-negotiable priority. PCCDC seeks to implement and maintain appropriate safeguards across all youth programs and activities.
Youth safety measures may include appropriate background screening for volunteers and staff working with minors, parental or guardian consent requirements for program participation, adequate adult supervision ratios during all youth activities, clear transportation procedures and parental notification protocols, photography and social media policies that protect the privacy and dignity of youth, emergency procedures and incident-reporting protocols, and child-protection policies consistent with applicable law and best practices.
PCCDC is committed to creating safe, respectful, and nurturing environments where young people can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of harm, exploitation, or mistreatment.
PCCDC THRIVES™ Framework
Connected to the PCCDC THRIVES™ Framework
Investment in youth and families creates a multiplier effect across the entire THRIVES™ framework. Young people who receive mentoring, education, and career exposure are better positioned to achieve workforce success, financial independence, and long-term community participation.
Our Approach
The Youth Development Pathway
Get Involved
Careers & Service Opportunities
PCCDC is a developing organization. The roles below represent potential opportunities as programs grow. Positions marked OPEN are actively recruiting; all others are developing or future opportunities.
PCCDC is not currently hiring for paid positions in this pillar. Volunteer, internship, and pro bono opportunities are available as programs develop.
Youth Program Coordinator
DEVELOPINGCoordinate youth program operations, volunteer management, and participant engagement across PCCDC's youth and family initiatives.
Mentor
VOLUNTEERProvide consistent, caring mentorship to a young person — offering guidance, encouragement, and support for personal and academic development.
Volunteer Coach
VOLUNTEERLead or assist with youth sports and recreation programs, reinforcing teamwork, discipline, and positive character development.
Tutor
VOLUNTEERProvide academic tutoring and homework support to youth in reading, math, writing, or other subject areas.
Community Ambassador
VOLUNTEERRepresent PCCDC in the community, share program information, and help connect youth and families to available resources and opportunities.
Youth Program Intern
INTERNSHIPSupport youth program coordination, participant outreach, activity planning, and administrative functions under staff supervision.
Family Resource Volunteer
VOLUNTEERHelp connect families with housing, employment, financial literacy, food security, and other community resources across the THRIVES™ framework.
Technology Volunteer
VOLUNTEERFacilitate computer literacy, digital skills, coding, or online safety workshops for youth where resources permit.
Career Mentor
VOLUNTEERIntroduce youth to your career field through job shadowing, career talks, mentorship, or employer-engagement activities.
Prime Concepts Community Development Corporation
Investing in the Next Generation
Whether you want to mentor a young person, volunteer as a coach or tutor, contribute your professional expertise, or partner with PCCDC to expand youth and family services in Hampton Roads — your involvement shapes the future.
IRS-Recognized 501(c)(3) Public Charity