Teens Opposing Poverty

Executive Director, Steve Jennings founded TOP along with the youth at Pleasant Valley UMC and has led the ministry since its inception. He has also served as a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church since 1986 and was the 1995 recipient of the Denman Award for Evangelism in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Steve has countless stories to share of the plight of homeless and poor people and the incredible things that can happen when you bring homeless people and teens together.

Senior Field Coordinator and Speaker William Daniels was homeless for over 12 years. Almost three years after a fire left him disabled, William was able to secure enough assistance to get off the streets. TOP helped him with the security deposit for his first apartment and William has helped with TOP ever since. For more information on his CD “They Call Me Black” click here.

Washington DC Coordinator, David Williams was homeless for over 8 years, but he traded a life of drug and alcohol addiction for an opportunity to help youth connect with homeless people.  David uses his engaging personality to draw out the best from teen volunteers and his extensive knowledge of the street to help us make the most of our ministry opportunities in the Nation's Capital. 

 The newest member of our staff is Newport News Coordinator and speaker Brittany Roark who is a student at Christopher Newport University.  Brittany participated in The Street as part of the youth group at Fort Hill United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, VA.  She brings her passion for the poor and her experience to a new setting for homeless ministry.  As the youngest member of the staff, she relates well to youth and effectively communicates the importance and the thrill of stepping out in faith to serve "the least of these."

 If you would like to be a part of the support team for any member of our staff, you can give online by clicking the Donate button to the right and putting the person's name in the Memo area.  Feel free to contact us by clicking on the "Contact" tab on the navigation bar to the left if you have any questions or would like to donate by check.