Local Initiatives
Welcome! To learn more about the Center for Regional Citizenship's local initiatives, please choose an option from the left-hand menu, or read the short descriptions listed below.
Current Initiatives
Healthy Habits for Hampton Roads
Healthy Habits for Hampton Roads is an initiative of the Center which focuses on healthier lifestyles for Hampton Roads citizens, particularly for children. The issue of childhood overweight and obesity is an important part of our work, but the overall initiative goals are to increase awareness of this important community issue and empower citizens to work toward solutions individually and collectively.
Funding has been provided through grants from the Obici Healthcare Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The National Parks
In support of PBS and the Ken Burns documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, WHRO is supporting numerous activities to draw attention to this inspiring and breathtaking film and to engage the local community in the uniquely American story of preserving our natural environment and cultural history. The documentary premieres on WHRO TV 15 on Sunday, September 27, 2009 and 8 p.m.
Be There, Be Counted
Launched in the fall of 2008, Be There, Be Counted is an initiative to encourage more informed and active participation in the political process, especially among young people.
Archived Initiatives
CARRIER
A 10-part series filmed aboard the USS Nimitz, a nuclear aircraft carrier. Citizens are invited to share stories about families in military deployment or life on an aircraft carrier, and read other stories. The series premiered in April 2008.
After BRAC: What Now for Fort Monroe?
By order of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, Fort Monroe is scheduled to close as a US Army Training Doctrine in 2011. A state-appointed Federal Area Development Authority (FADA) has been authorized to decide the future of Fort Monroe, but a passionate community debate continues. A WHRO town hall program aired in February 2006. In October 2007 WHRO premiered Kingdom by the Sea: Fortress Monroe, a 30-minute documentary on the future of the fort.
THE WAR
The seven-part series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick premiered in September 2007. The film tells the story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of nearly 50 men and women from four quintessentially American towns. In support of the documentary, WHRO partnered with Old Dominion University Communication and Theatre Arts Department to capture stories from local WWII veterans and civilians who lived in Hampton Roads during the war.
Early Childhood Education
In November 2006 WHRO premiered "Wired for Life: Early Childhood Education." Produced by the Center in collaboration with community experts, the 30-minute documentary explores the importance of quality early care and education. Additional resources and tools are available on the web site.
After BRAC: What Now for Oceana?
When the BRAC Commission considered closing Oceana Naval Air Station, the area's largest employer, state and local leaders had to decide whether to spend billions to condemn and buy homes and businesses in the high risk accident zone, or lose the base. A WHRO town hall meeting aired in October 2005.
HearSay Citizenship Series
The Center was launched in 2005 with an inaugural "HearSay with Cathy Lewis" series on regional citizenship. The series, which aired in August and September of 2005, examined what it means to be a citizen of Hampton Roads.