For roughly five decades, Annie Giles has worked to make Whitcomb Court a better place to live and raise children. She has volunteered her time to a range of efforts, including registering people to vote, feeding the hungry and fighting crime.

At one time, the 80-year-old Richmond native directed the soup kitchen at Gospel Baptist Church. When her granddaughter wasn’t accepted into an early childhood development program, she started her own — the Parent-Tot Program — that helped not only her granddaughter, but lots of other children living in the Whitcomb Court public housing community.

The program later was replicated at six other city housing communities.

Because of her initiative, Mrs. Giles received an award from the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

In January, the City of Richmond placed streets signs in her honor — Annie Giles St. — at intersections in the Whitcomb Court area.

On Saturday, May 20, she will be recognized and celebrated for her life’s work. The event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way. It is sponsored by 6th District City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson.

“I have always been involved in advocacy for children, families and the elderly in East End Richmond,” Mrs. Giles said. The daughter of a Baptist minister, Mrs. Giles was influenced the most by her parents, who founded Gospel Baptist Church, now located on Harvie Road. Working in service to others was a way of life, she says. They served as strong examples of faith, dedication and service.

When her first marriage ended, Mrs. Giles moved her family to Whitcomb Court in the mid-1960s, where she has become an advocate for families and children.

Voting is a subject close to her heart. In addition to registering people to vote, she has volunteered through the years on numerous political campaigns.

“We volunteered, from knocking on doors to reminding folks that their votes do count, and their voices need to be heard,” she says. “Volunteering at the polls, we’d get started at 6 a.m.,” she says.

Crime is an issue that gets under her skin, she says, because of the public misconceptions about the causes and the perpetrators of crime in and around Whitcomb Court.

“People don’t understand that the criminals coming through here committing crime are not a part of our community. They don’t live here,” she says. “They are just driving through wreaking havoc on the community.

“It’s up to us to report people who don’t live out here and are committing crimes. People need to speak up.”

Whitcomb Court, she says, is a good community and a good stepping stone for individuals and families to start out. She says residents must take responsibility to keep it a community where families can flourish.

Meet this week’s Personality and longtime community advocate, Annie Giles:

Occupation: Retired.

Date and place of birth: July 2 in Richmond.

Current residence: Richmond’s East End.

Education: Armstrong High School.

Family: Husband, Bruce Giles (deceased); two daughters, Sylvia Johnson and Florence Smith; three sons, George, James and Norris (deceased) Johnson; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Upcoming recognition: The event “Honoring Annie Giles — The Model of Leadership in Whitcomb” 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at The Conrad Center.

How I feel about recognition: I feel it is a great honor to be recognized for all of my work in the community after all of these years.

What it means to me: I do volunteer work because it makes me feel good to know that I have helped people in some way to make things better. I love it.

Roles I have played in Whitcomb Court: East District Family Resource Center Board of Directors; Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Advisory Board; co-founder of Richmond Children’s Board Family Resource Center; president of the Whitcomb Court Tenant Council for more than 20 years; founder of Parent-Tot Program; member of East End Partnerships for Families; involvement with the Parent Resource Network, including senior volunteer neighborhood coordinator, senior arts and crafts program, health and wellness advocacy and services for families and children; and directed soup kitchen at Gospel Baptist Church.

When and why I became involved: Since I became a resident of Whitcomb Court, I have helped to make things better.

Projects I am involved with now: Whitcomb Court Tenant Council.

My goal in life has been to: Always try to be the best I can for myself and others. If you don’t have charity and willingness to help others in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.

Current status of Whitcomb Court: Improving because programs are helping people. We’ve come a long way from where we were years ago. I’m looking forward to even more progress in the future.

Needs of families: More job training for mothers to get into the workforce, after-school programs for children and GED and other classes to help people get their education.

Political campaigns I have worked on: I have been an active volunteer in elections for more than 25 years, including Gov. L. Douglas Wilder’s run for governor, Joe Morrissey’s run for the Virginia House of Delegates and President Obama’s 2008 election and 2012 re-election campaign for president.

Importance of political involvement: There are people who say they don’t vote because their vote doesn’t count. I volunteer to help let them know that it isn’t true.

Vision for Whitcomb Court: To make sure that everybody in Whitcomb Court has safe housing and it’s a safe neighborhood for the kids and there are programs for kids and teenagers.

Best late-night snack: Cheese puffs.

Greatest source of inspiration: My family. I am very grateful for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When I get restless, I: Look for ways to help other people. I just keep busy by helping others.

A really great evening for me is: Having all the kids and grandkids in one place and we are talking and relaxing.

Best advice given to me: Was from my mother and father. They said for me to do whatever I wanted in life, set my goals high and that God will always make a way that will work for me.

Next goal: Enjoy as much time as I possibly can with my family for the rest of my days.