The non-profit aims to break cycles of hardship by tackling more than just the symptoms.
By Ed James III
Original Air Date: September 1, 2026
Host: When problems pile up for families, temporary quick fixes are no longer enough. Now, local non-profit Newtown Nation is pitching the idea of developing an ambitious pilot project aimed at breaking cycles of hardship through deep, long-term wraparound support for a select few households. WSLR’s Ed James III spoke with Valerie Buchand, a driving force behind the pilot program, to learn more about the project.
Ed James III: Newtown Nation is known as the organizer of the Newtown Farmers’ Market and the annual Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival. For decades, the grassroots non-profit has also served as a lifeline for residents in Newtown—from providing emergency assistance with utility bills and hot water heaters to distributing holiday meals and clothing. But according to Founding President and local activist Valerie Buchand, true community stability requires moving beyond crisis-to-crisis triage.
So Newtown Nation is now putting together a comprehensive 3-year pilot program designed to work intimately with five selected families. Buchand explains that real empowerment comes from supporting the entire household dynamic rather than treating issues in isolation.
Valerie Buchand
Valerie Buchand: What our program does is—we wanted to see how and what results we could get out of doing a pilot program for five families consisting of parents and children. Why that is so important is because sometimes we try to get help for children, but the parents need help as well. We are not just talking about you get help with a light bill or your rent or some other bill. We are talking about wraparound services—everything that the family needs to succeed.
EJ: The scope of the program is holistic. Instead of standard top-down social work, the project addresses financial literacy, mental health services, trauma recovery and access to medical care. The target households aren’t restricted to traditional definitions; they range from single parents to extended multi-generational families.
Buchand says that decision to adopt a wraparound model grew out of frustration with local social service programs, which often treat symptoms rather than the systemic issues of concentrated poverty. For Newtown Nation, a piecemeal approach simply isn’t enough. Instead, the philosophy is grounded in a classic principle: Give someone a fish and they eat for a day, but teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.
Produce for sale at the Newtown Farmers’ Market | Photo: Newtown Nation
Crucially, the initiative requires mandatory participation from both parents and children. The idea: long-term stability requires the family unit to grow together.
VB: What is so important about this is that the children can’t come [alone] and the parents don’t come [alone]. The whole family has to grow together.
EJ: To make a lasting impact, Newtown Nation is committing to a two- to three-year timeline for each family. To support dedicated one-on-one caseworkers, specialized trainers and private office meeting space, the organization would need approximately $250,000 across the three-year period.
Newtown Nation has not begun yet with fundraising. In the meantime, they are seeking community partners, medical professionals and service providers willing to offer direct or discounted aid. Buchand says the ultimate goal goes far beyond putting names on a roster; it’s about helping neighbors build a foundation for homeownership, stability and generational success.
Volunteers at Big Mama’s Collard Greens Festival in 2023 | Photo: Newtown Nation
VB: We want everybody to have an opportunity to acquire the dream, which is owning a home or just being able to live where they want to.
EJ: Newtown Nation expects to partner with local churches and community groups to identify the five inaugural families once full funding and staffing are secured. To learn more or get involved, visit newtownnation.com.
Reporting for WSLR News, I’m Ed James III.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.