About ChainBreakers, Inc.
Since 2001, ChainBreakers has grown from a grassroots initiative led by local residents and church leaders to a powerhouse of community transformation. Our mission has always been clear: empower Portsmouth’s families to break the cycle of hardship and build a brighter future.
Our Mission
To end food insecurity, jumpstart literacy, and strengthen community bonds — so every child can thrive, every family can lead, and every neighborhood can rise.
Our History & Wins
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Founded in 2001 by civic leaders who believed hope should be as common as Sunday greetings.
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2001–present: We’ve supported our community with food and clothing aid, as well as substance‑abuse support, job training, computer and internet access, and more.
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May 2025: Awarded a $5,000 grant from Portsmouth United to launch a reading enrichment program for our first cohort of 25 elementary students—improving literacy where it counts most.
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June 2025: Welcomed Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as an official partner—putting free books in the hands of local preschoolers.
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July 2025: Received additional, new freezers and refrigerators from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to turbocharge our monthly food distribution—feeding hundreds of families more efficiently than ever before.
