About Us
Our Mission
is to provide dignifying, empowering, and faith-based safety-net shelter, healthcare, and support to the most vulnerable people in our community.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”


Our Story


HELP, Inc. is a faith-based organization supported by member congregations, schools, businesses, civic clubs and organizations in conjunction with the cities of Hampton and Newport News. Working together, we provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, a winter shelter program, food, financial assistance, medical and dental care to those in need.
Founded in 1982 by eleven charter member congregations, HELP has grown to include over 60 congregations in the City of Hampton and Newport News. Together we have made a difference for thousands of people in our community.
Volunteers, individually and from partner churches, make up the majority of the HELP workforce. They supply meals at the HELP day center, organize and distribute donations at the HELP food pantry, and come together in force to host HELP’s annual winter shelter program, “A Night’s Welcome”. HELP volunteers work alongside the staff to ensure that all aspects of the HELP mission are furthered for our neighbors in need.
In May 2001, the Dr. Richard F. Clark HELP Clinic opened its doors. Dr. Richard Clark, a local pathologist, saw the need for a medical clinic to serve the uninsured in our community. Through his relationships at Sentara, the clinic first opened for services at the Hampton Health Department. The Health Department allowed the HELP Clinic to open two evenings per week.
Over the years, invaluable partnerships have been formed and maintained in support of the clinic and the patients we serve. The clinic is a member of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. We receive state budgeted-funds because of our membership. The clinic is home to over 250 patients. Each year we provide over $400,000 in medical services and medication to those patients.
Through collaboration, commitment, and faith, the HELP organization has grown to serve the needs of the most vulnerable in our community, and to change lives for the better, one person at a time.
HELP’s Vision is that persons in need in our community have access to the shelter, healthcare, and support they need to regain and maintain self-reliance.
Volunteers
Churches
Partner Agencies
Donors
HELP exists because of donors and volunteers like you.
Our Team & Leadership
Our dedicated team of employees and volunteers execute the mission of the organization in their daily work.


Matthew Stearn
Executive Director
Matt is a native of Hampton, VA, and a graduate of Hampton High School and Christopher Newport University. Matt joined the HELP team in July of 2016 after completing a dual Masters program at Eastern Mennonite University and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, receiving both a Master of Divinity in Cross-cultural and Community Mission and a Master of Business Administration in Nonprofit Entrepreneurial Management. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Administration from EVMS. Matt and his wife, Molly, live in Newport News with their daughter.
Staff


Arnold Berger, DDS
Dentist


Summer Williams
Dental Assistant


Rebecca Mejia
Shelter Coordinator


Connie Parker
Day Center Admin Support
Board Members
Victoria Mitchell, Board Chair
Sandie Konrad, Vice Chair
Tammy Robbs, Treasurer
Glenn Cain
Eric Hayes
Mary Holup
Dr. Chris O’Connell
Stephen Parker
Rev. Mark Riley