Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center logo

Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center

3.8/5

Non-profit providing free financial counseling, mental health services, foster care support, and housing stability assistance to families and individuals in Eastern Virginia.

Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks

Free to Use BBB: NR Free Consultation Visit Website

Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center Review

Child & Family Services of Eastern Virginia, Inc., operating as The Up Center, is a community-based non-profit organization serving the Hampton Roads region. Founded to address critical gaps in family support and mental health services, the organization has grown to serve over 10,000 community members annually across multiple service areas. The Up Center operates with a mission to partner with children, families, and communities through prevention, intervention, and support services that strengthen lives and outcomes. In 2025, they reported serving 947 youth, providing mental health counseling to 2,339 people, supporting 897 military families, and maintaining 96% housing stability rates among families served. The organization provides entirely free or low-cost services as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, funded through donations and community partnerships rather than consumer fees. The Up Center distinguishes itself through integrated service delivery combining financial counseling with mental health support, rather than siloing these critical services. Their financial counseling programs specifically address debt management, credit repair education, eviction prevention, and foreclosure counseling—helping clients understand how financial decisions impact credit scores and long-term stability. They also offer specialized support for underserved populations including military families, youth aging out of foster care, and families experiencing housing instability. The organization maintains dedicated foster care programs, sponsored residential care, and behavioral health services that work in conjunction with financial guidance. For consumers seeking free, legitimate financial and housing counseling from a certified non-profit, The Up Center represents a credible resource. However, prospective clients should understand that as a free non-profit, wait times may exist, and services are geographically limited to Eastern Virginia. The organization does not offer credit repair dispute services or debt settlement; instead, they provide education and guidance to help clients make informed financial decisions themselves.

Services & Features

Financial counseling and money management education
Eviction prevention and foreclosure counseling
Debt management guidance and credit score education
Mental health counseling for youth and adults
Substance use counseling and recovery support
Military family support services and financial guidance
Foster care placement and case management
Sponsored residential homes and housing support
Representative payee services for social security benefits
Family counseling and strengthening programs
Early childhood development support
Youth mentoring and pathways to independence programs

Feature Checklist

Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free financial and mental health counseling services—no hidden fees or consumer costs
  • 96% housing stability maintenance rate demonstrates measurable effectiveness with families
  • Integrated approach combining financial counseling with mental health support and family services
  • Specialized military family support programs (897 families served in 2025)
  • Foster care and youth independence programs with dedicated case management
  • Eviction and foreclosure prevention counseling specifically addressing housing crises
  • Non-profit status with transparent annual reporting and impact metrics published publicly

Cons

  • Services limited to Eastern Virginia region—not available nationwide or online
  • As a free non-profit, likely has limited staff and potential wait times for appointments
  • Does not provide credit dispute services or active credit repair—client-driven education only
  • No debt settlement or consolidation services—focuses on counseling and prevention rather than debt restructuring
  • Limited information on counselor credentials or specific training certifications on website

Rating Breakdown

Value
4.5
Effectiveness
3.5
Customer Service
3.8
Transparency
4.0
Ease of Use
3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center legitimate?

Yes. Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center is a registered company headquartered in Norfolk, VA. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How long does Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center take to show results?

Counseling available within 1-2 weeks of contact.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
Norfolk, VA
BBB Rating
NR
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
HUD-Approved
Starting Price
Free to Use
Setup Fee
None
Free Consultation
Yes
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center

The Up Center is best for Eastern Virginia residents seeking free, legitimate financial counseling combined with mental health support from a non-profit organization. The main caveat is that they provide education and guidance rather than active credit repair or debt settlement—they help clients understand financial decisions themselves rather than disputing credit reports or negotiating with creditors on their behalf.

Best For

  • Families and individuals in Eastern Virginia facing eviction, foreclosure, or housing instability
  • Military families needing financial guidance combined with mental health support services
  • Young adults and youth aging out of foster care seeking independence planning and financial literacy
  • Individuals struggling with debt and wanting free financial education without settlement or repair schemes
Updated 2026-03-21

More Lenders in Norfolk

Urban League Of Hampton Roads logo

Urban League Of Hampton Roads

Unable to verify company details. Website is currently inaccessible behind Cloudflare security verification. No factual content available for profile.

3.8/5
Contact BBB: NR

Best for: Consumers in Hampton Roads area seeking local nonprofit financial services, Individuals needing in-person community-based financial assistance

Financial Wellness Guides

Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Child & Family Services Of Eastern Virginia, Inc. D/B/A The Up Center and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.