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AHOSKIE – “Walk on, walk on – with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone.”

That one snippet from the 1945 classic song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” written by Oscar Hammerstein II perfectly describes the current-day work of a local organization.

The “We Are 1 Movement” specializes in community engagement and development, youth mentoring and education, and gang and gun violence suppression. It recently established a chapter in Ahoskie.

“Our team has been working diligently to connect with community members and assess their needs and concerns,” said William Powell, Founder and Executive Director of the We Are 1 Movement. “We have knocked on approximately 400 doors in some of the most violent areas of Ahoskie, delivered free groceries to hundreds of residents in the Ahoskie area, and paid an unaccountable number of residents’ water bills through our emergency assistance hotline. And we’ve done this without making a big deal about it.”

The local chapter has solicited assistance from all walks of life, to include elected and appointed officials.

Powell said he wanted to signal out one of those local officials – Brenda Brown, Director of the Hertford County Department of Social Services.

“Brenda is one of our most dedicated members,” Powell stressed. On her days off, outside of her regular job of helping others as the Director of Social Services, she works side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder with us to engage community members, deliver groceries to those in need, and check in on Ahoskie’s senior community. Brenda’s commitment to our cause is truly admirable.”

Powell said the local chapter is blessed to have members like Brown and others who are making a difference in the lives of Ahoskie-area residents.

“We are making a change and encourage others to join us,” Powell concluded, adding that he can be contacted at 585-738-9788 for those seeking more information about the organization.