Yolanda Wyche

SW 4020
Professor Schropshire
Community Analysis Paper 1: Understanding the Community
Hopewells History:
The small town that I was born in is Hopewell Virginia. Technically I was born in
a Hospital in Richmond Virginia which is the capital of Virginia. Hopewell is approximately 24
miles south of Richmond. Hopewell is a historic riverfront community. The highway interstates
are I-295 and I-95. Washington D.C. is 132 miles to the north and the Port of Hampton roads is
75 miles to the southeast.
Hopewell is located at the confluence of the Appomattox and James Rivers. http://
www.hopewellva.gov/ location. Hopewell is part of the Richmond Petersburg Metropolitan
Statistical area. Which includes the counties of charles city , chesterfield, dinwiddie, Goochland,
Hanover, Henrico, New kent, Powhatan, Prince George and the cities of Colonial Heights,
Hopewell, Petersburg and
The oldest part of Hopewell is called City Point. It was founded in 1613 by Sir
Thomas Dale. City Point over looks the James and Appomattox Rivers. A revolutionary war
skirmish was fought in City Point. Thereafter, General Ulysses S. Grant directed the 10-month

These companies include Honeywell , Evonika Industires, Smurfit- Stone and Hercules Plant.
Products as diverse as the first automatic dishwasher, cardboard boxes, kraft paper, china and
artificial silk.

Recent Demographics

According to the 2010 Census data the poulation in Hopewell was 22,591. The unemployment
rate is 9.0% as of August 2014. It is 9,055 households and 6,075 families residing in the city. The
population density was 2,182.3 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city is 47.1%
white, 43.5 black, 0.8% Asian, 0.4 % native American 0.1% pacific islander.
The age population is 26.7% under 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24 , 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from
45 to 64 and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The meian income for a household in the
city is 33,196. The median income for a family is 38,043. Males had a median income of 30,835
versus 23,398 for females.

Community resources:
Rick Newman is the Commonwealth Attorney. He is basically the Prosecutor. He is proud to
announce that crime rates continue to fall. :Fighting to protect Hopewell families and prosecute
criminals in Hopewell is the slogan for his office. http://www. Keephopewellsafe.com/major
He states that rather than sweep things under the rug as is done ina good ole boy system.I have
not hesitated to turn evidence over to the state police or other state and federal agencies when
allegations or evidence has been presented to my office concerning corruptionand other crimes
by the powerful and connected, http://www.keephopewellsafe.com
The commonwealth attorneys office in Hopewell is the only office in the surrounding area that
does not have a city supplement beyond the state mandatory minuimum salary .
http://www.keephopewellsafe,com The assistant commonwealth attorney salary is 43,473, The

office manager salary is 32,495, the adminstrative assistant is 23,723. The paralegal salary is
23,723.
The city of Hopewell has a freedom of information Act policy. This policy establishes procedures
for helping the city of Hopewell employees comply with the Virginia Freedom of Information
Act. To provide information to the citizens of the commonwealth in a timely manner.The
( FIOA) quarantees citizens of the commonwealth and reprsenatives of the media access to piblic
records held by public bodies, public officials and public employees
(http://www.hopewellva.gov)

Schools:

The mission of Hopewell City Public Schools: in partnership with families and community Is
to develop students who achieve at their highest level of capacity in perserving life and career
choices, enabling them to become productive and contributing members of our democractic
society, The Hopewell public schools provide outstanding educational programs for 4,000
students. The system is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school, one high
school and one learning center (preschool thru adult) http://www.hopewellva.gov/schools
In addition, there are two private high schools.

Social services

 The mission of Hopewell Department of Social Services is to promote citizens self-reliance and
protection through community based services. The department adminsters financial assistance
programs and a variety of other services programs for children, adults, and families.
http://www,hopewellva.gov/communities Financial assistance programs include: Auxilliary
Grants for elderly /blind/disabled customers who live in adult homes. FAMIS ( Familiy Access to
Medicaid Insurance Security). Plan : Energy Assistance SNAP: Medicaid, State/Local
Hospitalization and TANF Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Social service programs
include adoptions, adult protective services, child protective services, community based
care/nursing homes, home screening, custody investigations, child care services, emergency
needs, foster care, home-based services, adoptive /foster parent/ child care provider training ,
volunteer services and employment services for TANF recipients.

The Department of neighborhood Assistance and Planning:

This department supports the land use and development process in the city of Hopewell.
Through partnership with the community to promote exdcellent in code enforcement, planning
and economic developement to encourage the highest quality of development based on sound
professional practice to articulate the community vision and fulfill the citys mission. There are 4
divisions/ programs . 1, Adopt a neighborhood Program 2. Community Development Block
Grant. 3. Geographic Information System 4.Planning.

Hopewell Virginia is still a thriving small city. The city is rich in historical information. The
people are diversed and know their history facts, There are several Historical Black Colleges and

Universities in the region including Virginia State University, Hanpton University, Howard
University and Norfolk State University. There are various community colleges and junior
colleges. During the time that I lived in Hopewell the schools and the armed services made
Hopewell a unique location to live in. Fort Lee army training facility lies in between Petersburg
and Hopewell. This made the region diversed . The people that were enlisted in the army were
from all parts of America. The challenge fir the region now is more crime . 30 years ago when I
lived there the crime was not as bad. Now it has a crime rate that is slightly higher than the
counties that surrond Hopewell . There are many reasons for this present day problem . I will
discuss in the next paper.

References

http://www.Hopewellva,gov
Http://www.census ,org
http://www. Keephopewellsafe.gov
http://www.historic census browser