The James House

Jamira James, c/o 2022

I used my $10 to donate to the James House, which is a safe house that serves Prince George and Hopewell. They offer cost-free, confidential help for people affected by sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking in the greater tri-cities region of Virginia.

I personally have witnessed people go through domestic violence which motivates me to help this cause.  A lady I know was in a predicament like this and she was able to go into a safe house. Although she had restrictions, she was safe. I would go there and help watch other women’s kids while they worked. I did it without pay because it was something I enjoyed doing.

I started this project by calling social services and asked for information on the warming shelter. I got referred to the James House, but had trouble reaching them. I made calls for a week straight before I started to give up on the whole project. I didn’t want to fail, because it would affect my position in life. This showed me that helping good causes can be a challenge. I talked to my coach, and she got me the help I needed. 

After days of letdown and discouragement, I finally went there in person and talked to someone. She explained that my donations go to the clients for their needs. Money is not the only donation they accept. You can donate things like food, electronics, clothing, household items, and more. I will go back and donate on my own time because helping the helpless is something that brings joy to me. 

Other people should support the James House because your little donation can seem like nothing to you, but can be life-changing to another individual.

Jacen Fowlkes, c/o 2019

We were given ten dollars to help improve/ give back to our community. The best way to improve my community with $10 was to invest and grow it for the James House because I wanted to help a local organization that supports domestic and sexual abuse victims.

I invested my 10 dollars in a box of POP-tarts, which I have sold, and accepted donations to increase my spending portfolio. I made $14.45 in the first two weeks of selling my POP-tarts, and when I sold them all I had $25.05, I purchased the things requested by the James House volunteer coordinator, Latifa. When I spoke with Latifa on the phone she helped me get started by telling me what her people needed. I was told that they needed snacks that were individually wrapped, juice boxes, and gift cards to places such as Walmart, Target, and gas stations. I also decided to donate the leftover change from my project to Takwan, who has decided to help the Food Pantry.

I chose the James House because it serves local needs. They help the Hopewell community in a big way. A local organization and not a national one was better for me because most people want to donate to the big-name organizations that receive more than little, unknown organizations. I used my profits to purchase the items they requested such as snacks and juices for their meetings, and gift cards; one of my classmates, Zachary Mountjoy, who presented the trash pick-up event, donated 34 bags of chips for the cause. The meetings are support groups for each other because most people there have experienced the same things. Food is a social lubricant because most people like to eat.

The James House is a safe house for domestic and sexual abuse victims who have fled their abusers and are looking for a safe place to stay. They provide care for those who have suffered these horrific acts of violence. People from Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Prince George etc. are welcome; The James House would love to help the ones in need of their care. I think everyone should help support this organization in any way they can because what they do is helpful to those in most need of support. After all of my fundraising and donation seeking, I was able to provide The James House with four 20ct Hugs juices and 52 individual bags of chips.

Citizens of our city, Hopewell, go to The James House in Prince George because it is the closest one to us, so it’s still local. Prince George used to be a part of Hopewell; now it has branched off. This organization helps not only the Hopewell community, but also Prince George, so I get to help two local cities for the price of one and so can you.