MAY 30, 2025
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice Director Amy Floriano announced a state-wide initiative to collaborate with the KUF Marketplace Resource Center located in Hampton, VA (“KUF Marketplace”). At no cost to taxpayers, KUF Marketplace provides a one-stop community hub dedicated to meeting individual and family needs while empowering everyone to thrive. DJJ will be working with KUF Marketplace to match families and court-involved youth with the services and the support of long-term mentors. This initiative will encourage churches, ministries and faith-based groups across the Commonwealth to participate in building their own Marketplace and develop a network of partnering service providers and mentors.
“One of the core duties of DJJ is to help our young people learn and grow rather than simply impose punishment. Said Director Amy Floriano. We don’t look at the youth as merely offenders but as neighbors who need a caring hand to guide them to a better more productive future. Connecting youth with positive life-long mentors and much needed services is critical to this effort. That is why I am proud to announce a state-wide initiative to collaborate with the KUF Marketplace Resource Center located in Hampton, VA. I am deeply honored to play a role in ensuring public safety while helping to launch this effort and build a better future for our youth."
A key component of this purely voluntary initiative is the long-term commitment the participant volunteers make to each youth and their family. This is a relationship intended to last a lifetime and impart the knowledge and skills needed for a healthy productive life. The KUF Marketplace, in part, achieves success by working with DJJ Court Service Units to identify the children and families in need, provide them with volunteer support, and match them with available community resources. The KUF Marketplace has long been recognized for its success, innovative programing, and support of DJJ initiatives. Special thanks goes out to Kenneth Foster, Phillip Figura, and DJJ’s Community Engagement Unit for their efforts in fostering the partnership with KUF Marketplace.
This initiative is taking it’s significant first step toward expanding this endeavor across the Commonwealth and hosted a lunch table talk in Petersburg on May 28, 2025. The goal is to replicate the success of the Marketplace in Hampton, in the Petersburg area. Community leaders came together to embark on this joint venture to rebuild the youth of Petersburg.
Of Wednesday’s event, Pastor Cheek remarked, “we were trying to open the door. I think it gave some insight to the community about what we're doing and we also gained some insight from them because it's always a two way street.”
