HISTORY 

The Community Builders Network was started in 1999.  This new organization was a vision of the Newport News Commonwealth Alliance for Drug Rehabilitation and Education (CADRE).  It was designed to increase linkages between city agencies and community-based, faith-based and grass roots organizations so that more youth would receive prevention programs and activities. 

 The intent was to create a partnership between volunteer neighborhood-based groups, who already had a commitment to helping youth, with agencies who had a  expertise in “best practices.”

 

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

 

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

The Community Builders Network provides training and technical assistance to its member coalitions to increase the capacity of community-based, faith-based and grass roots groups to positively impact the lives of children, youth and families through multiple training events annually.  These events include two annual prevention training conferences and one annual community-wide Health Fair.   

The Community Builders Network also supports our member coalitions’ with many neighborhood based programs and activities including robotics club, teen clubs in local high schools, and drug prevention groups in public housing communities as well as mentoring and after-school activities. 

 

zation publishes two newsletters annually.  Last year we served more than 1,300 youth and families.

 

 

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

The Community Builders Network is a coalition of coalitions.  Our membership consists of youth serving clubs, groups and organizations (Note: We refer to these as coalitions) who share a commitment to the healthy development of children, youth and families.  We have worked with over 100 different coalitions since our beginning and currently have more than 40 active coalitions.

 The organization is governed by By-Laws and a bi-annually elected Board of Directors.  Staff support is provided by local agencies including the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board, Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Newport News Office of Children, Youth and Families and others.  The Board meets monthly and conducts general membership meetings twice annually.

 

MISSION

 

The Community Builders Network is the only organization of its kind in our community.   It fulfills the need to engage youth and adult volunteers in our efforts to support our children within our neighborhoods.   It creates a collaborative partnership that builds both knowledge and skill at the community level.  

 

CBN is an organization of coalitions consisting of youth and adult partnerships. CBN offers financial and technical support, networking opportunities and educational training opportunities to promote drug-free communities and positive youth development.