On January 20th, the Rotary Club of Newport News enjoyed another great meeting.  In attendance we had visiting guests, visiting Rotarians and we enjoyed the fellowship of our fellow Rotarians.  Roma Frye hosted Nancy Hathaway, the founder and president of Heart for Orphans, a faith based charity founded in Williamsburg.  Heart for Orphans helps orphan teens in the Ukraine through the development of small-family style transition homes.

Nancy addressed the importance that transition homes play in orphan teens’ lives. In Ukraine, orphan teens are released from the orphanage system at the end of 9th grade or at the age of 15 to 16.  Sadly, these teens have no place to go and often end up on the streets where they get involved in drugs, crime, prostitution and sex trafficking.  The homes Heart for Orphans has established have loving house parents who model a healthy family and teach these youth vocational and life skills.

We also voted for our new officers and board members for the 2015-2016 Rotary year.  Stay tuned for the election results.

If you’re interested in joining us for an upcoming meeting, we meet every Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 at the James River Country Club.  Click here for more details and directions.