- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Portsmouth Today
By the People, for the People
Portsmouth Peace Week Brings Mentorship to Kids During Spring Break
More than 1,000 children expected to participate in 30+ programs across the city
Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:50pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Portsmouth, Virginia is hosting its 5th annual Peace Week, a spring break initiative that brings together over 30 community organizations to provide mentorship, activities, and engagement for more than 1,000 local children. The goal is to give young people a positive outlet and support system during the school break.
Why it matters
Peace Week is part of a broader effort by Portsmouth officials and community leaders to reduce youth violence and provide safe spaces for children during school breaks when they may otherwise be unsupervised. The programs aim to connect kids with adult mentors who can guide them towards more positive paths.
The details
The week-long Peace Week initiative features a variety of mentorship sessions, recreational activities, educational enrichment, and community-building events hosted by over 30 local organizations, churches, and community groups. One of the lead organizers, Purpose Driven Executive Director Carlton Copeland, said the programs are designed to reach young people who may not otherwise have access to guidance or positive outlets.
- Peace Week runs from April 4-12, 2026.
- This is the 5th year the city has hosted the annual spring break program.
The players
Purpose Driven
A local nonprofit organization that is hosting one of the Peace Week camps and working to provide mentorship and positive outlets for young people in Portsmouth.
Carlton Copeland
The Executive Director of Purpose Driven, who said the Peace Week programs aim to "catch" young people before they go down "negative paths" and show them that Portsmouth is a "proud city".
Portsmouth Parks and Recreation
A city department that is partnering with local nonprofits and community leaders to support the Peace Week initiative.
What they’re saying
“We don't want our young men and girls to continue down negative paths. We want to be proactive and catch them before those things happen, and let them know we are a proud city in Portsmouth.”
— Carlton Copeland, Executive Director, Purpose Driven
What’s next
City officials have highlighted Peace Week as part of a broader effort to reduce youth violence and provide safe spaces during school breaks. Many of the programs encourage ongoing mentorship and engagement even after spring break ends.
The takeaway
Peace Week demonstrates how a community can come together to support its young people during vulnerable times, providing mentorship, activities, and a sense of belonging that can have lasting positive impacts. The initiative reflects Portsmouth's commitment to investing in the next generation and addressing root causes of youth violence.
