‘I want to save lives’: Portsmouth organizations host community outreach event
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Community leaders are working to bring people together in Portsmouth.
Heaven’s Doors Ministry and Brikhouse Boxing are partnering for an outreach event Saturday, May 25 at 670 Lincoln Street from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. The groups will offer free food, clothes, hygiene items and resources from several local nonprofit organizations.
Brik Wiley, recently retired after nearly 30 years in the U.S. Navy. Wiley is now known as Coach Brik, as a co-owner of Brikhouse Boxing & Fitness.
“I want to save lives. Boxing saved my life… I mean that in a literal sense. I was going through depression and boxing helped me to focus. I know there’s a lot of young men or young ladies out there that are going through the same thing,” said Wiley. “I wanted to provide a safe space for them so they can come here. They do everything that we tell him not to do. They can come here to scream, they get to kick the bags, they get to hit the bags, they get all of that negative energy [out]. Then once they burn that off, then we can start with the train.”
This comes as the Umoja Festival is underway this weekend near the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion. The events share a similar message of unity.
“We want to get these kids off the street,” said Pastor Angela Holley, Heaven’s Doors Outreach Ministry. “My heart grieves as a leader because we have kids killing kids. We have to stop. Sometimes the kids need more guidance direction. They need more understanding. They need to know that they don’t have to take their anger to the streets. They can take it to people like the church. We are supposed to be here to help them to not kill one another but to love one another.”
Pastor Holley plans another community outreach event June 15, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. at 3609 Turnpike Road Unit C in Portsmouth.
Learn more about Brikhouse Boxing & Fitness here.
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