2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 535
Commending Deirdre Love.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 3, 2025
WHEREAS, Deirdre Love, founder and executive director of the Norfolk-based organization Teens With a Purpose, has greatly served the Hampton Roads Region for more than 25 years; and
WHEREAS, affectionately known as Momma D, Deirdre Love has been a tireless advocate for youth empowerment and community engagement in the Hampton Roads Region; and
WHEREAS, as the founder and executive director of Teens With a Purpose, Deirdre Love has dedicated her life to creating a safe and nurturing environment where teens can find their voice, develop leadership skills, and thrive despite challenges; and
WHEREAS, located in an area of Norfolk that has experienced high rates of crime, Deirdre Love demonstrated exceptional resolve in developing the community partnerships that helped Teens With a Purpose succeed; and
WHEREAS, under Deirdre Love's leadership, Teens With a Purpose has grown into a transformative organization offering programs that inspire creativity, promote well-being, and foster personal and collective growth; and
WHEREAS, through initiatives such as poetry workshops, arts education, and wellness programs, Deirdre Love has equipped countless young people with the tools they need to overcome adversity, express themselves, and engage with their communities in meaningful ways; and
WHEREAS, with Deirdre Love's support, the Virginia Youth Poet Laureate program was developed by Teens With a Purpose, Hampton Roads Youth Poets, and Urban World to engage with high schools and identify students who are interested in performance poetry and committed to civic engagement and community leadership; and
WHEREAS, originally limited to Norfolk schools, Deirdre Love and Teens with a Purpose expanded their Youth Poet Laureate program to all of Hampton Roads in 2016 and launched a statewide program in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Deirdre Love was the visionary behind Purpose Park in Norfolk, a community garden developed by Teens With A Purpose in partnership with the Norfolk Botanical Garden and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where young people may learn more about gardening; and
WHEREAS, Deirdre Love's commitment extends far beyond programming; her unique ability to connect with youth, often meeting them in their most vulnerable moments, has created a space where they feel seen, heard, and valued; and
WHEREAS, for many, Deirdre Love is more than a mentor; she is a guiding light and a source of unwavering support, empowering them to envision and achieve brighter futures; and
WHEREAS, the impact of Deirdre Love's work has been recognized locally and nationally, with Teens With a Purpose serving as a model for how community-driven initiatives can address systemic challenges, including poverty, violence, and inequity; and
WHEREAS, in a time when safe spaces for youth are more critical than ever, Deirdre Love's vision and perseverance have brought hope and opportunity to an untold number of lives; and
WHEREAS, by fostering creativity, leadership, and resilience in our youth, Deirdre Love has strengthened the fabric of her community and demonstrated the power of investing in the next generation; and
WHEREAS, Deirdre Love's unwavering dedication and transformative work make her a true hero in the Hampton Roads Region and an inspiring example for all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Deirdre Love, founder and executive director of Teens With a Purpose, hereby be commended for her lifelong commitment to serving others, her innovative leadership, and her enduring impact on youth and the broader community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Deirdre Love as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her extraordinary contributions to the Commonwealth.