Growing Health and Hope in Hampton Roads

This August, the Urban League of Hampton Roads wrapped up the second cohort of Urban Wellness: Mindful Nutrition at the Bon Secours Community Health Hub and Community Garden in Portsmouth. Over four weeks, participants cleared old plants from the garden in an exercise called “Releasing to Receive,” then returned to plant new seeds in a practice called “Planting New Possibilities.” The process underscored a central theme of the program: change takes patience, and even when we may not see growth right away, planting seeds is a powerful act of hope.

The August series also introduced new perspectives. Dr. Nequita Dowling shared how food cravings can signal what the body truly needs, while former participant Ayana Muhammad returned to co-lead a cooking session, showing how the program nurtures future community leaders. Their session, “Edible Art with Ayana,” inspired participants to think of food not only as nourishment but as a form of creativity and expression.

This was only the second time the program has run, but its impact is already clear. The first cohort, launched in March 2025, opened with facilitator Gretchen Holloman leading a mindful nutrition session that encouraged participants to embrace change without judgment. Another highlight came from Naliah Washington, who demonstrated how to turn heavy cream into butter, cream cheese, and whey in under 20 minutes. Families also gained confidence in the garden, learning how to prepare soil, space plants, and grow food at home using simple, everyday tools.

Across both cohorts, 10 to 15 adults and 8 to 10 youth participated, with many returning for multiple sessions. Surveys consistently rated the experience highly for engagement and relevance, but the stories behind the numbers stand out most. One participant began volunteering at the Health Hub after graduating, leading mini cooking demonstrations for pantry clients. Another shared that the program brought joy during a difficult season of life, reminding her that growth and community are always possible.

The program’s approach is rooted in meeting real needs in Hampton Roads, where many neighborhoods are classified as food deserts or food swamps. Families face barriers to accessing and using fresh produce, including limited transportation, pantry hours that conflict with work schedules, and uncertainty about preparation. By combining gardening, cooking, and nutrition education with mindfulness, Urban Wellness: Mindful Nutrition helps families build both skills and confidence. The program emphasizes practicality over lectures, ensuring participants leave each session with knowledge they can use immediately.

Get Involved

The Urban League of Hampton Roads is excited to continue building this program, but we need the community’s support.

Here are three ways you can join us:

• Register for upcoming sessions: Sign up for our newsletter to hear about the next four-week series at the Bon Secours Community Health Hub.
• Host a session at your site: Agencies, schools, and community groups can bring Mindful Nutrition directly to their clients. We’ll bring the facilitators, the garden know-how, and the cooking demos to you.
• Donate: Your financial support helps us expand the program across all seven cities, add virtual options, and provide supplies like seeds, recipe cards, and cooking materials.

We also invite anyone struggling with food insecurity, housing, employment, education, or finances to connect with the Urban League of Hampton Roads for additional resources.