Communitye-news
Legal Aid Second Chance Partners of the month
At Legal Aid of NC, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. Our Second Chance Project helps people overcome barriers to employment by providing free legal assistance with criminal record expunctions, driver’s license restorations & other legal issues that prevent them from securing jobs, housing & stability.
The office started in 2022 by offering criminal record expunctions to NHC residents, and in January 2024 added driver’s license restoration. In 2024, we opened 167 expunctions and 85 driver’s license restoration.
We provide regularly scheduled in-person educational sessions at the library, StepUp Wilmington & The Healing Place. We take direct referrals from local community organizations, such as LINC, as well as walk-ins & individuals who call the Legal Aid Helpline.
Learn more about how we’re helping people get back to work!
April is Second Chance Month!
Eight days after Gov. Stein & the Governor’s Crime Commission were on campus for their meeting & tour, Gov. Stein named April as “Second Chance Month” in NC.
LINC
LINC Local Reentry Council (LRC) has a month full of actities and programs planned to mark Second Chance Month and celebrate our commitment to Second Chances These events are free & open to the public Learn more.
Wed. April 9 - The Importance of Language & Word Choices in Reentry Efforts
Fri. April 11 - Second Chance Friday: Employment Engagement Coffee Hour
Wed. April 16 - LRC Reentry Expo
Wed April 16 - PH2 Community Second Chance Resource Fair
Th. April 17 - Mythbusting Reentry: Addressing Common Misconceptions & Misinformation About Justice-Involvement
Th. April 17 - Trauma to Triumph
Wed. April 30 - Reentry Simulation
Bidding link for 12+ experiences & unique items coming April 10 April 10-26
New Help Hub Supporter Alert!
We are honored to have PC3 join the faith community that wraps around Help Hub’s clients to meet housing & healthcare needs.
Groups from First Presbyterian, St. James & First Christian recently donated blessing bags & 10 churches donated supplies for our biannual Be The Light mission project. Multiple churches have invited Christy outreach@harrelsoncenter org to speak to our mission Contact us!
Corporations are Help Hub supporters too! Intracoastal Realty, Michelle Clark Team, just donated two bags of new socks.
Support Help Hub
How can you Be the Light in our community this month?
One of Hope Community Church's mission partners is Help Hub at the Harrelson Center. Last Sunday, we built blessing bags to support their work. Help Hub offers emergency financial assistance for folks in our community.
People from all walks of life come in to seek help. One of my favorite parts of serving at Help Hub is the invitation for a morning prayer. In this room full of people who may be feeling ashamed, worried, frustrated & scared, a prayer is offered by someone in the room - it's a powerful opportunity for someone who might be at their lowest to come into the presence of God.
One of the things God is teaching me as I volunteer each month is the courage it takes for folks to ask for help. It is so humbling to watch the single dad come in with his toddler because he is late on rent and can't afford childcare. Or the immigrant who speaks little English who has tears in his eyes because he can't pay his electric bill. Or the elderly lady who is a burn victim and needs her temperature set on a specific setting, and now her energy bill is too high to afford. This takes so much courage!
These people are us. They are our community members, our coworkers, our neighbors, and our friends. God is softening my heart and opening my eyes to these things.
Grateful to serve alongside you, -Blake Muses Ministry Coordinator Hope Community Church
Teens from Help Hub Supporting Churches assembled 296 hydration bags for migrant farmworkers at our spring Be the Light event. Watch the Spring ‘25 BTL Reel
Stay informed
Policy is changing so quickly it’s hard to keep up! The following organizations provide regular policy updates that affect the nonprofit sector.
Subscribe and follow: National Council of Nonprofits NC Center for Nonprofits
The NCN is seeking stories of nonprofit impact. Submit your story here.
The Harrelson Center has renewed the 2-year membership for our partners. This informative resource brings value to the nonprofit sector. *UnCharitable* *UnCharitable*
120 nonprofit leaders joined us for ILM’s first community screening of UnCharitable & group discussion. The documentary examines how the nonprofit & business sectors are held to different standards in terms of compensation, marketing, risk management, long term vision & capital over time. It argues that the obsession with minimizing "overhead" ultimately weakens nonprofit impact.
Did you miss it? We’ve got you covered! Email Michelle to book a conference room for a private screening with your staff & board in preparation for our follow up conversation.
We invite you to bring your board &/or donors to join us for visioning & small break out groups
May 1, May 1, 4-6pm 4-6pm Plaza on Princess Plaza on Princess
Dan Pallotta’s Ted Talk
We invite all Nonprofit Organizations to join us on campus monthly as we prioritize effective leadership and collaborative impact to strengthen the community that we love and serve. Learn more at bit.ly/QENOatUNCW
Board Governance Training:
An overview of nonprofit governance, the role of a board of directors, and tools & systems for efficient, effective boards and committees. Register for April 14
Cadence Workshops:
Nonprofit leaders get access to QENO tools and services Register for April 17
Community Impact Lab: Public service providers, funders & other stakeholders engage in emerging topics discussions, sharing announcements & networking Submit discussion topics & announcements for April 17
Training & Cadence: bit ly@QENOatUNCW
1st Tuesday & 3rd Thursday
Meet in the Welcome Center at 12noon May 6 & 15 April 1 & 17
Park in HC Visitor Parking in Deck at 20 N. 4 St. th
partner events
Upcoming Partner Events are shared in chronological order.
Upcoming Partner Events are shared in chronological order. CF Guardian Ad Litem Assoc. IndependentWorks
Tuesday, April 1st 5:00 - 6:45 Northeast Library Pine Room 1241 Military Cutoff
Lisa Salines-Mondello, a certified special needs/elder care Wilmington attorney, will address Assisted Decision-Making, Powers of Attorney, and Guardianship
The last time Ms. Salines Mondello spoke to our group over, it was standing room only, so register to reserve a space!
Zoom option available & will be recorded Meeting ID: 828 5258 9423 Passcode: 630450
Email julia manuel@edenvillagewilmington org or call 910-200-7571
This event will feature a message of hope and inspiration from caretakers in a child explotation case The pinwheels serve as a symbol of hope, resilience, and remembrance for those affected by crime
Family Support Network
Thursdays at 6pm April 10 & 24, May 8 Online
Operation Pretty Things
Healthy Kids Day® - Free Family Fun Saturday, April 26 9:30am - 1:00pm at Empie Park
Join us for our 12th Annual Healthy Kids Day®, dedicated to promoting active lifestyles, encouraging healthy habits, and helping to combat childhood obesity. The day kicks off with a one-mile Fun Run, and the first 300 kids to sign up will receive a free t-shirt! We'll also have sports stations, face painting, bounce houses, community booths, and giveaways. Click here to learn more about Healthy Kids Day®, including how to get your business or organization involved!
learn about autism learn about autism
The Salvation Army Restored Souls Foundation
Foster Care Network Launch was a success! We are excited to see how this group provides crucial support for foster children in our community.
Soaring As Eagles
Coastal BUDS
Bike Church coming soon! A Bike for Every Child
Bike Church will be a time to gather weekly, reflect on a bible verse & spend time with community while riding bikes together. We would love to partner with churches, if you’re interested, email SwitchinGearsILM@gmail com We can provide up to 30 bikes & helmets to use for the Bike Church ride.
Donations: Drop gently used bikes at ABFEC by the blue wall.
Catholic Charities
Cape Fear Mobile Food Pantry
Available Items: Food, baby diapers, period products, adult incontinence supplies
Th. April 3 - Duplin Co. Carol C Mobile Homes
Wed. April 9 Columbus Co. Old Dock
Th. April 17 - NHC Sunset Park
Fri. April 25 - Columbus Co. Fair Bluff
Cape Fear Latinos
Community Care LCF
New data shows Black infants are dying at rates 3x higher than White infants NC has the 10 highest infant mortality rate in the US CCLCF’s Kathleen Bloomfield, th Perinatal Nurse Champion (PNC) Region V, supports 14 counties in SENC through the PNC program. Kathleen is one of six PNC’s working to create better outcomes in perinatal & infant outcomes. Visit our website to learn more.
Community Justice Center
FFRIDAY RIDAY APRIL 4 APRIL 4TTH H
April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month & Child Abuse Prevention Month. CJC is proud to stand with our partners at The Carousel Center, Domestic Violence Shelter & Services, The Rape Crisis Center at Coastal Horizons & NHC DSS as they continue to support the most vulnerable victims in our community. Together, we are working toward a future of hope, healing & justice for all.
Associate partner news
Rescue Mission of CF
Thrift Thrift Store Store
Celebrating 50 years of service to the community!
502 Castle Street
Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Smart Start of NHC
Voted best bargains in Wilmington, our thrift store supports our residential work program for unhoused men in need of a fresh start.
Currently there is availability in our 16-bed downtown facility.
YMCA of SENC
EmergeOrtho 5k
Saturday, May 17
UNCW Track & Field
Join us to celebrate the achievements of our Girls on the Run & STRIDE participants.
This community celebration of friends, family & wellness supports runners & contributes to scholarships for future participants, ensuring that more children can benefit from these empowering programs. Learn More & Register
Healthy Weight & Your Child Program now accepting referrals & registrations for inperson summer classes at Nir Family YMCA Click here to learn more!
ChelseaLordwashonoredasthe2025Children’s Champion&YolandaBallardDanielsreceivedthe StarfishPublicAdvocacyAwardatSmartStart’s BreakfastforChildren’sChampionslastmonth! Congrats!Wethankeachnomineefortheir i t t k!R d b tth A d
Anthony’s Way
Cape Fear Collective
Healthy Communities NC is a dashboard that helps track key public health goals in NC. It aligns with Healthy NC 2030 initiative, a statewide effort led by experts to set important goals for housing, education, public health, & economic opportunity over the next decade. Recent funding allowed for significant updates to improve usability & expand data accessibility.
Child Development Center
March brought the Leprechauns, April is bringing Easter! Stay tuned into our Facebook page for updates!
Cape Fear HealthNet
Eden Village
Financial Protection Law Center
Did you know property tax relief is available to certain NC homeowners? NC law provides for reductions in property tax bills for Disabled Veterans (or surviving spouses) & lowerincome homeowners who are either 65+ or permanently disabled If you would like for FPLC to speak to a group about the property tax relief programs, please contact Maria at 910-442-1014
Applications due by 6/1/25.
Eden Village Respite House! We now have a duplex for folks who are in need of somewhere to recover from a stay at the hospital instead of re-entering homelessness.
Habitat for Humanity
Sat. May 3: Wall Building Day in the Warehouse Wed. May 7 - Sat. May 10: On-Site Build Days Wed. May 14 - Sat. May 17: On-Site Build Days Sign up to get involved!