Published March 5th, 2026

Malons Project, Inc. Named to the Winter 2026 Serve Virginia Honor Roll

Hampton nonprofit recognized statewide for outstanding commitment to volunteerism and community impact

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Hampton, Virginia | March 2026

Malons Project, Inc. is proud to announce that we have been named to the Winter 2026 Serve Virginia Honor Roll — a statewide recognition honoring organizations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to volunteerism and service across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The full Honor Roll is available at https://servevirginia.org/awards/serve-virginia-honor-roll/.

This recognition is a testament to the dedication, heart, and tireless effort of every volunteer, mentor, Value Peer, and community partner who has stood alongside Malons Project since our founding in 2020. We are deeply honored — and we share this award with every person who has ever shown up for one of our youth.

“This recognition is not ours. It belongs to every volunteer who showed up, every mentor who believed, and every young person who walked through our doors and discovered their own superpower.”

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About Malons Project, Inc.

Founded in 2020 by Executive Director JoAnne E. Cramatie in honor of her grandson Malon Pearson, Malons Project, Inc. is a Hampton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth with ADHD and attention and learning differences. Through our flagship Mal Defender Club and a growing portfolio of education, mentorship, and community programs, we provide neurodivergent youth with a safe, welcoming space to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover that their differences are not limitations — they are superpowers.

Our work is guided by eight positive attributes that form the foundation of the Mal Defender framework: Honesty, Humility, Gratitude, Open-Mindedness, Compassion, Responsibility, Objectivity, and Willingness. These are not just words — they are a roadmap for life.

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A Year of Historic Firsts and Community Impact

The Winter 2026 Serve Virginia Honor Roll recognition reflects a year of remarkable achievement for Malons Project. From the streets of Hampton to the classrooms of Phoebus High School, our volunteers and partners showed up in powerful ways across our community.

🎉 Hampton Holiday Parade — Malons Project marched in its FIRST Hampton Holiday Parade, bringing Mal Defender to the streets and introducing our mission to the entire Hampton community.

🎓 ADHD Awareness Week at Phoebus High School — We participated in the very first ADHD Awareness Week at Phoebus High School, a historic milestone for neurodivergent students in Hampton. Our Mal Defender mascot greeted students and families while our team recruited new members to the Mal Defender Club.

♟️ Chess Tournament — Malons Project hosted a chess tournament that produced an unforgettable moment — a 12-year-old competitor from our Williamsburg chess club went head to head against a Hampton University Chess Club member for the winner spot. The room was electric. Two generations of players. One board. Equal competitors.

🏘️ Community Resource Day — Our Community Resource Day at North Phoebus Community Center brought together families, organizations, and resources under one roof. Families arrived not knowing what they would find and left with connections, hope, and support. Mal Defender welcomed children at the door while our Human Slots Machine filled the room with energy and laughter.

🍂 Covered Ministries Fall Festival — Malons Project served as a vendor and community partner at the Covered Ministries Fall Festival, demonstrating our commitment to supporting other organizations doing important work in our community.

📋 Year-Round Community Outreach — Throughout the year our team set up vendor tables at community events across Hampton Roads, keeping the Malons Project mission visible, accessible, and present wherever families gather.

“A 12-year-old from Williamsburg sat across the chess board from a Hampton University student and saw one thing — an opponent. That is Malons Project in action.”

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Built on Partnership and Mentorship

None of this would be possible without the extraordinary partnership of the Hampton University Chess Club, whose student members serve as mentors, volunteer instructors, and role models for our youth. Their commitment to pouring their knowledge and time into the next generation exemplifies the spirit of service that Serve Virginia celebrates.

Our Value Peers — dedicated volunteers who show up consistently across every program and event — are the heartbeat of this organization. Their presence, energy, and commitment to our youth make every program we deliver possible.

We are also grateful for the support of our grant partners — the City of Hampton Youth & Opportunities Grant program, Sentara Health, LISC, and Walmart Community Grants — whose investment in our mission has allowed us to grow our reach and deepen our impact.

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Our Vision: Every City in Virginia

This recognition fuels a vision that is bigger than Hampton. Malons Project is committed to expanding to every city in Virginia. Every community in the Commonwealth has youth with ADHD who deserve a Mal Defender Club — a place that sees them, believes in them, and equips them to lead.

We are also laying the groundwork for our boldest initiative yet — the Malons Tiny House Community, a sweat equity-based housing development that will provide stable transitional housing and workforce training for youth aging out of foster care, justice-involved young adults, and youth with attention and learning differences. With the support of Hampton Economic Development, Hampton Youth & Young Adult Opportunities, and Commissioner Joe Griffith of Phoebus, this vision is already taking shape.

“Every community in Virginia has youth with ADHD who deserve a Mal Defender Club. We are just getting started.”

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Thank You

To our volunteers, mentors, Value Peers, partners, funders, and community supporters — thank you. This award belongs to you. Malon Pearson's legacy lives on in every child who walks through our doors and discovers they are not too much — they are exactly enough.

If you would like to get involved with Malons Project — as a volunteer, partner, or donor — we would love to hear from you. And if you live outside of Hampton, know this: we are coming to your city. This is your invitation.

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Contact Malons Project, Inc.

24 West Kelly Avenue | Hampton, Virginia 23663

📧 [email protected]m | 📞 757-975-6852 | 🌐 www.malonsproject.com

EIN: 88-0593306 | 501(c)(3) Public Charity