Good Seed Good Ground

I recently went into Good Seed Good Ground and a man named Dwan helped me with my resume. He gave me hope very good advice and went out of his way to look up the address and phone numbers of places I had worked before. I am now employed thanks Dwan.

Good Seed Good Ground is an exceptional organization that was birthed out of a couple's vision to serve the most underserved. Through the tenacity and determination of the group's volunteers, I have witnessed history being made as the group was instrumental in changing the laws concerning the rights of ex-offenders to obtain employment in the City of Newport News. It became the first city's HR in VA to remove references to applicants' criminal histories on online job applications. Renita Parker, Executive Director, lives and breathes, and walks and talks her organization. It is a silent, nearly unknown mission field in the East End community of Newport News, and over the years, it has attracted residents from all over Hampton Roads who were seeking help and getting it, as re-enetering citizens of the Commonwealth.

Renita and her husband address the issuese of children,youth and families, community development, youth development and neighborhood development. GSGG help the less fortunate by having workshops on job training and job placement for all.

I first learned of this organization from Police Chief Susie Mowry of the Newport News Police Department. She said that there was a new organization that was highly motivated, had a good plan, and was doing a lot of good things in the community. She suggested that I meet with Renita Parker because she thought that our organizations had some things in common.
Good Seed Good Ground (GSGG) is a Community Based 501 C3 Non Profit organization whose focus is to help the less fortunate members of the community to become self-sustaining, productive citizens. Her primary focus is job training and job placement for youth, adults, and ex-offenders. It is the belief of GSGG that if the members of the community are employed there will be less crime, more family cohesiveness, and a healthier community overall.
As Community Liaison for Gospel Light Cares, Inc our paths have crossed with Renita Parker, Executive Director, GSGG on many occasions. We serve together on several community organizations and on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Community Weed and Seed, Inc. She is a " no-nonsense, let's get the job done individual".
I referred six youth to her program, all of whom were hired at Busch Gardens, and she arranged transporation for all of them. She is unselfish in sharing resources and contact information. She pulls her weight on various committes and takes the initiative to be creative and proactive. I recall taking an individual to her agency to seek employment...she was in the process of closing for the day, but remained open to assist the client with the application process.
I have assisted her with two Job Fairs. Both were well organized and well attended. Her heart is in her work and she goes above and beyond the call of duty, plus her agency is located in the heart of a poverty striken community where her services are in dire need. Many people in this community would go hungary if it was not for the work of GSGG.

Good Seed Good Ground is an outstanding organization providing many needed services for the citizens of Newport News and Hampton. I recently volunteered at a Job Fair for ex-felons sponsored by this fine organization. In addition to information about jobs, there was help with interviewing for jobs, clothes were distributed as well as lunch served. In addition, information was given to becoming self employed. The compassion that Mrs. Parker and her staff of volunteers show to the community is remarkable. They never grow weary of doing good for others.

As I write this review so many positive thoughts came to mind:
- Helping those with a felony
- Helping the youth
- Helping men
- Helping women
- Helping the community to come together and support one another towards becoming productive
- Helping employers hire new employees
-Helping the unemployed
- Helping the uneducated
- Helping those with limited resources
- Helping those who lack encouragement
- Helping those who lack Spirituality
- Helping those who need direction
- Helping those who just need HELP

GOOD SEED GOOD GROUND is exactly what the organization's name means when you receive help from them...helping plants good seed so that those they help can become fertile ground with our communities, which should be a cycle of life!

I was referred to the Good Seed by a friend. when I finally got tired of being tired of not having means to support my self I started going to the good Seed and slowly got involved by sharing my knowledge and experience with computers and the Internet.

I benefited greatly form the monthly food drive. When my family came on difficult finical times paying bills Renita Parker hired me. The time I was actively employed gave me much experience and the ability too share my insights into navigating the large and some times confusing job-application process with people in the surrounding community.
In addition, Miss Parker has given me much advice and insight into future career opportunities.

As a trainer and former employment service/career counselor I was quite impressed with the integrity and compassion that Ms. Parker, Executive Director had for the program and the community. I had the opportunity to work with her on one of her grant writing ventures and her sincerity for what she does was evident in every aspect of describing her program. She even gave me a tour through one of the housing complexes to show me the needs of the people and her vision for helping them. Of all the programs I have seen, I have not seen one more sincere and effective in their outreach and service to the community than Ms. Parker's Good Seed Good Ground program. For this reason, I would highly recommend and support her in any endeavors that she pursed for the community.

I am currently heading another community based group,(SAARA of the Peninsula) of which Renita formerly held. She continues to be a tremendous influence on me and the organization in every sense of the word. Her most recent endeavor involved co-opting with us to charter a bus to transport our members without transportation as well as financial means to attend the annual "Rally Day" at the General Assembly in Richmond. On behalf of our entire organization we implore you to keep up the "good" .....work!! Kenneth McCallum

I've been familiar with GSGG for close to 10 years. Over this time the agency, and in particular Renita, has always had a presence in the community. She has availed herself to serve on numerous boards and task forces that address the issues of children, youth and families, community development, youth development, and neighborhood development. Her efforts in job creation and promotion for the communities underserved population has been unmatched by any other in the city.

I have been working with Anita through a community agency for several years, her expertiece in the field of community resources always amazes me. She is so full of rewarding information that will allow you to enrich your life to become a better person.

I am Teresa Epps Fletcher, author of the books, 'God Please Stop Drugs', Parts I & II, and producer, director, and playwright of 'Miracle at the Open House Church'. I met Renita during the time that my business was getting off the ground. Being new to government grant procedures and not yet having nonprofit status, she was able to assist me in everything needed to apply. She supported and believed in what I was trying to accomplish as a black woman in the field of fine arts. She continously encouraged me to go forth with my dream and not give up on my goals. I needed someone like her who could 'think outside the box' and do the necessary work involved for such a project. Renita is one of the best in her field and the community can thrive and benefit with members like her who step up to the plate in assisting others.

I have been working with Good Seed Good Ground over the past year to improve the education on public policy needs for those served. They are doing excellent work.

I have worked as volunteer with GSGG via the police &
sheriff deptmnt's ex-offender re/entry. GSGG provides an invaluable service particularly to the S E community N. News most commonly noted for gangs and high crime. GSGG is a deterrent to negative activities in providing an atmosphere for computer and job training, transportation to jobs outside our immediate area where services are generally poor.
Renita Parker is doing an excellent service for the community she was raised up in and as i support, i'm hopeful the City, business community and private citizens will join in to keep such a good service going.
Cleveland Mabry, SE community

I have volunteered with Renita Parker and Good Seed Good Ground for years and I am a staunch supporter of the program for all of the job training and jobs connecting the program does. We need leaders in the community who can work with citizens to continue to help them obtain jobs and job training to prepare for a better life. Mr. & Mrs. Parker, I applaud all of your efforts to help the citizens in our community.

Good Seed Good Ground provides invaluable services to the community, and to youth especially. The organization serves the under served youth of a neighborhood where choices and opportunities are severely limited.

Good Seed Good Ground provides access and opportunities to realize that anything is possible. Transportation to interviews and subsequent employment, and mentoring only scratch the surface of what is offered.

Youth are blessed to have an organization that cares so much about their future.

I am the coordinator of a youth workplace readiness program on Va. Peninsula. We have worked consistently with GSGG to provide employment opportunities for youth. Renita and staff have provided transportaion and developed seasonal work sites for youth. GSGG has actively petitoned the state government with regards to laws and services for those among us hardest to serve. GSGG is in a very challenging neighborhood and serves clients that may otherwise have no place to go. GSGG is in the trenches. GSGG has great integrity and accountablility.