NORFOLK, Va. — In 2010, Deirdre Love, known as 'Mama D' by those who know her, set out to provide a nurturing, creative space for young people.
“Teens With a Purpose is a creative youth development organization that empowers young people, empowers their voice, empowers their creativity, encourages them to be critical thinkers and to take care of each other and their community,” said Love.
And the Purpose Garden is a great example of that. It’s a half-acre of land across the street from the youth center. It was an idea that Teens with a Purpose member Malik Jordan had seven years ago.
“He wanted to develop that space and it was a gravel lot and there was a lot of crime over there and it was dirty all the time,” said Love.
Love asked the city if Malik and other teens could develop the lot. City officials said no. But Love didn’t stop there.
She pushed to get the support of the Norfolk Botanical Garden and then went back to the city and asked again. They finally said yes.
And now….
“There are 30 some raised beds, there’s a rain garden there are over 15 fruit and flowering trees, there are flower-lined walking paths,” said Love.
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There’s also a fish pond, stage, and area where they hold cooking classes to teach people in the community how to cook the vegetables they grow.
“She stuck behind me and we started in the back with only two raised beds on a makeshift parking lot median, we stuck by it and now it's huge, it feeds the whole entire community,” said Jordan.
“Murals painted by the children, like it is a little oasis and its nationally recognized wildlife habitat, drop the mic!” smiled Love.
For her commitment to providing young people a loving place to create, explore, and connect, we surprised her with our Everyday Hero award.
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“We are here to give you an Everyday Hero Award! Congratulations!....(clapping) I am shocked. I had no idea. Thank you so much," said Love.
News 3 also gave Love a $300 Visa gift card courtesy of our community partner Southern Bank.
We asked the teens who were there to watch Love receive her award what she meant to them.
"She means love. Anytime I’m feeling bad in the morning when I’m around her, give her a great big hug, and she always makes me feel better,” said Daquan Garnett, a TWP member.
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We asked Malik Jordan what "Mama D" means to him. And his answer had Love and Jordan in tears.
"Oh, man! Hope. Hope that there are amazing beautiful people out there that care,”
“A lot of people won’t stick behind you so it's dope to see somebody stay strong for anybody, and go back and fight for them. I appreciate her for that,” Jordan said, holding back tears.
And we at News 3 appreciate her too.
If you would like to contribute to the Teens With a Purpose program, visit their website.
