Portsmouth, Virginia is a city shaped by shipyards, military industry, and a long legacy of pollution. In neighborhoods like Truxton, Prentis Park, and Brighton, residents face some of the highest health and environmental burdens in the state. Nearly 90% of children live in poverty, while homes sit near Superfund sites contaminated with lead, PCBs, and other toxins. Since 1995, The Young People’s Guild Foundation has confronted these injustices by building strong community relationships and working together to find real solutions. The group hosts environmental town halls, youth-led civic events, grant writing support, job fairs, and consulting to help neighbors take charge of their future. Monthly meetings connect residents and local leaders; quarterly forums bring together churches, civic leagues, and businesses; and alliances with other environmental groups provide guidance and support. Though the challenges are real, the Foundation believes they can be overcome through shared effort – confident that collective action today will create a healthier, fairer future for all.
Joyce Tasby, founder of The Young People’s Guild Foundation
Joyce White-Tasby started The Young People’s Guild Foundation as a way to provide scholarships for youth in the performing arts, opening doors for those who might not otherwise have the chance. With support from a dedicated seven-member Board of Directors, her work has grown into a broader mission rooted in environmental justice and civic engagement across Hampton Roads. The Foundation trains residents in water sampling to detect pollutants like lead and mercury, hosts forums that bring together civic groups, and leads voter registration and Get Out the Vote rallies to strengthen local voices. Cultural events like the Black History Trail Blazers Sidewalk Parade honor history while inviting community members, especially youth, to step into leadership. Whether through science, advocacy, or celebration, the Young People’s Guild Foundation continues to invest in the future by standing with those most affected – those most ready to drive change.