THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 25, 1996 TAG: 9608270541
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 80 lines
Longtime residents of Ida Barbour Park recall when the red brick walls of the complex gleamed on sunny days. They remember when boys and girls held sock hops on green, manicured lawns.
They remember when a sign on the community's baseball field so aptly read: ``Ida Barbour: Field of Dreams.''
But some 20 years later, Ida Barbour hasn't exactly been a field of dreams.
There has been drug dealing, and there have been senseless shootings.
In earlier times, said 32-year resident Bertha Rodgers, ``We didn't have to say `Duck, children,' `Hide, children,' like we do now.''
Ida Barbour tenants and former residents are now aiming to put an end to crime by introducing residents to opportunity.
On Saturday, volunteers of the Ida Barbour Reunion Committee organized the community's first reunion event at the complex off County Street. It brought back former residents, church ministers, and representatives of social and job readiness programs to motivate residents.
Mayor James W. Holley III gave opening remarks, and Portsmouth police and some members of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority were among the more than 120 people who attended.
``We want to bring forth something positive in the community through the ministering of our churches,'' said Marilyn Majette-Hill.
Majette-Hill, a former resident of Ida Barbour, said that when she lived there, neighbors all worked together to rear children and help one another.
She said many neighborhood residents went on do better themselves, like Portsmouth Circuit Judge Johnny Morrison, and Portsmouth public schools leaders Genevieve Epps and Gloria Williams. They were motivating forces for Majette-Hill and her peers.
Morrison, Epps and Williams could not attend Saturday's event.
When Epps came home from college, Majette-Hill said, she shared stories about education and campus life. ``It was an excitement for her to come back and share,'' Majette-Hill said. ``She had such an impact on my life that I wanted to pursue college.''
Majette-Hill did go to college, earning a degree and eventually starting up her own business, Alternative Connections, which helps individuals with job readiness training.
Other job readiness programs through the Urban League and the Virginia Male Adolescent Network were also on hand Saturday. Representatives from various programs said the event was a success.
John Cofield, a community educator with the Adolescent Network, said he had given out all his business cards before the event's end. The network aims to teach adolescents about safe sex, etiquette and job readiness. ``This is long overdue,'' Cofield said. ``Especially as prevalent as crime is.''
Tenants, like Bettie Reid-Riddick, blame the crime problem on a younger generation that doesn't have the values she and other residents had years ago. Riddick also said poor housing management and the lack of recreational activities for the kids are factors.
``It's like you're trying to move a whole mountain by yourself,'' Riddick sighed. ``It's frustrating to see what's happening here now.''
Yet Riddick is encouraged by the reunion; job opportunities let allow residents to change their circumstances.
Meanwhile, Bertha Rodgers said God has a way of healing most problems. Years ago, Rodgers said, God healed her after spinal surgery. And she thinks he can heal Ida Barbour. ``I'm a living witness that he's a healer,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Bertha Rodgers, center, who has lived in Ida Barbour for ``32 long
years,'' expresses her faith as Zeda Wright, left, and Armecy
DeBerry, right, participate in Elder Curtis Martin's service
Saturday at the Ida Barbour reunion.
Graphic
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Ida Barbour Reunion Committee is organizing a scholarship
fund for neighborhood youths. Donations may be mailed to Ida
Barbour Reunion Scholarship, P.O. Box 805, Portsmouth, Va. 23705.
Plans for a housing renovation grant will be the subject of a
public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the community center, 1122
Barbour Drive. by CNB