Becoming the support
we once needed.
Empowering 365 Youth began with a personal understanding of what it means to grow up needing more support.
Founder Melvin Howard grew up with limited resources and little help. As he became an adult, he carried those experiences with him—and a desire to become the person he had needed when he was younger. He wanted children to have someone who would show up, believe in them, and help them see possibilities beyond their circumstances.
His partner, Laverne Warren, shared that vision. Having experienced the challenges of growing up in poverty, she understood how much encouragement, guidance, and access to resources can mean to a child. Together, they wanted to create an outlet where young people could feel supported, discover their strengths, and see a brighter future for themselves.
They remember the role that neighborhood activities, the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other community spaces played in growing up. These were places to play, build friendships, learn something new, and connect with adults who cared. Every child deserves access to that kind of community.
That belief is at the heart of Empowering 365 Youth. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the organization’s mission is to bring families, volunteers, mentors, and community partners together to help young people grow through education, encouragement, and opportunity.
For Melvin and Laverne, this work is personal. It is about turning what they lived through into something meaningful for the next generation.