Sharing God's Love With the Prospect Area Community

Girlface2 Joh 10:10b
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Our Vision

To bring the glory of God to the Prospect Avenue community by reflecting the values of God's Kingdom.

Our Community

Prospect is a neighborhood of nearly 400 primarily single-parent, African-American families as well as several Hispanic families who have recently moved to the area. Community assets include a Resident's Council, a small neighborhood Resident Center, the presence of several Christian families, nearby Forest Hills Park, the recently renovated Blue Ridge Commons Apartments (HUD funded), Buford Middle School, proximity to the University of Virginia and its hospital, the Computers 4 Kids/Connected Community center, and the Abundant Life Center. The Prospect/Orangedale community, though, is one of five federally-defined low income neighborhoods in the city of Charlottesville. Nearly half of the adult residents have not completed high school; unemployment and underemployment are common. About 70% percent of the residents are among the "working poor;" 30% are fully reliant on public assistance. Sometimes drug trafficking is observable in the community with violence occasionally erupting; at other times, seasons of relative calm prevail.

Our Director

Rydell Payne has been our Executive Director since September 1999 when he brought an abundance of new ideas and energy to Abundant Life. Rydell and his wife, Hope, have three boys and are members of Christ Community Church. Rydell has a passion for seeing the Body of Christ "unleashed" in ministry in the local community and has a heart for the poor and needy. Prior to working for Abundant Life, Rydell served at-risk youth at the City of Charlottesville's Community Attention program for twelve years. He is a former board member of Love, INC and a graduate of James Madison University (and of Fluvanna County High School).

Our Founder

Amy Sherman, Abundant Life's founding director, still lives nearby but now writes and speaks about community development issues nationwide. Learn more about Amy.