E-NEWS Community
Family Promise of the Lower Cape Fear supports families experiencing housing instability, including domestic violence survivors, to achieve sustainable independence.
July 2026
Join us on December 1 from 7:30 -9:00am at FBC Activity Center for our Home Sweet Hope Breakfast. This fundraiser brings together community members, business leaders, and supporters to learn about the growing need for family housing stability in the our region and how they can make a meaningful impact
As Family Promise of LCF celebrates 30 years of service, attendees will enjoy breakfast, hear inspiring stories of resilience & transformation, and see firsthand how community support helps local families move from crisis to stability.
Proceeds from the event provide shelter, meals, case management, and pathways to permanent housing for families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Sponsorship & Table Captain information is available on familypromiselowercapefearnc.org or by contacting Elizabeth Overton at development@familypromiselcf.org.
Monda
Teeing Off Update: Big Fun, Fast Pace, Real Impact!
The countdown to Monday, September 14 is officially on! As our annual collaborative golf tournament approaches, here is a sneak peek at what’s waiting for you on the course this year:
Streamlined Pace of Play: Expect an efficient day on the links where you can play hard, network, grab your boxed lunch at the turn & wrap up with awards at 2:30pm
High-Energy Contests: We’re teeing up some exciting challenges to celebrate our 10 Annual Teeing Off Stay tuned for details! th
The Power of 60%: When you sponsor or register through one of our nonprofit partners, 60% of that revenue goes directly to their specific mission
We are halfway to a full tournament! Secure your sponsorship today or reach out to your favorite HC Nonprofit to register!
Sponsor Info & Registration
presented by
Play:
3 Sponsor Tiers
8:30 | Registration 10:00 | Shotgun Start (Including 1 or 2 foursomes)
Individual Play
Ladies Division
Agencies & Counting!
We are excited to officially launching ILM Volunteer Hub to the public on Monday, July 13!
With 4 onboarding sessions down and 1 more virtual session on Wednesday, July 8 at 9am, 30 organizations have profiles ready to empower volunteers to get connected.
NPOs, sign up to get your profile set up before the platform goes live for volunteers & board members!
Here’s why the ILM Volunteer Hub is a game-changer for your organization:
Free volunteer managment software
Recruit new volunteers & easily coordinate the ones you already have
Greater community visibilty
Volunteers are your best ambassadors & often become sustaining donors
Campus Tours
1 Tu. & 3 Th. st rd 12-1:00pm
Meet in Welcome Center
July 7 & 16
August 4 & 20
1:1 Onboarding Follow Up with Rose Volunteer Leadership Lab will be at HC on community tour days to help set up volunteer profiles and teach the platform
July 7 & 16 11am-3pm Welcome Center
The Undercurrent: Check our new posts!
Stay informed about the nonprofit sector by reading or listening to The Undercurrent
Duke Energy requested a substantial rate hike and we weighed in from the perspective of those we see everyday in our Help Hub.
DID YOU KNOW: NC is ranked #2 in utility disconnections of the 42 states that report, with Duke Energy being the state's largest utility This practice further exacerbates greater inequality, increased poverty and negative health outcomes.
Read the post & weigh in to Utilities Commission with the links provided
Volunteer Leadership Lab shares about how we can celebrate 250 years by lifting up our community through volunteering.
Consider: volunteering is not separate from civic life It is civic life, lived out in the most direct way possible. Civic engagement, in its truest sense, is patriotism in action.
Read more wise words from VLL’s Founder and Director Rose Tatum
Help Hub
Help Hub will be closed from July 1-7 while we give our volunteers a week off to celebrate the holiday with their family and friends Regular walk-in hours will resume Wednesday, July 8.
For urgent situations that cannot wait until July 8, (i e disconnected power or water service or evictions), call (910) 859-2240 for phone appt.
For a list of partner agencies that may be able to assist during this break, click here.
Help Hub has small box fans for senior clients (55+) available at HC while supplies last Please see Catholic Charities section on page 8 for heat wave education and solutions.
Welcome Emily!
Emily Alam is interning with us this summer, spending most of her time in Help Hub. Emily is a rising third-year student at UNC Chapel Hill, studing Biology, Human Development & Family Science, with a minor in Public Policy.
Emily started mid-May and shares with us a little about meaningful her experience has already been:
“While many come to the Help Hub during one of the most difficult moments in their lives, I also get to see their resilience and strength during those crucial moments.”
Emily Alam
We asked Emily, “why were you interested in interning at The Harrelson Center?”
She answered, “I grew up in ILM and am intrigued by all the work that happens at this unique center. I’m excited to get real experience seeing how it all comes together.“
Healthcare Navigation
288 clients have accessed healthcare resources through our Healthcare Navigator in Help Hub so far in 2026!
Housing Navigation
Our Housing Navigation program has completed its first year of service! We are excited to share the outcomes and impact of the first year in the near future
We collaborated with Cape Fear Housing Coalition for a program evaluation and found that:
Referrals to our program came from a variety of sources beyond Harrelson Center partners, including DSS, school social workers, police officers, and property managers.
The program served both homeowners (6%) and renters (94%) representing a diverse array of family sizes, ages, neighborhoods, and income levels.
100% of clients felt supported, indicating they had a positive experience, and found the program easy to access.
95% of clients shared that they couldn’t find help for their specific needs before enrolling in the Housing Navigation program.
100% of respondents would recommend the program to a loved one in crisis.
86% of respondents feel confident that their housing is now stable
98% believe they have the support they need should a future crisis occur.
95% of clients feel that they have new skills and/or information about other resources that will help them in the future.
Listen to WHQR’s 1-year look back at the program.
Thank you to WHQR for featuring this story After hearing the story, a NHCS teacher contacted Help Hub this week for housing resources & emergency financial assistance
Program Eligibility: NH, Brunswick, or Pender County resident Stable income Currently housed Non-HOP participant
Stronger organizations. Healthier leaders. Better Outcomes. Our last guest at Nonprofits Mean Business, Dr Patton McDowell, interviewed our next AFP NC Conference Keynote Speaker, Kristina Joy Carlson, onYour Path To Nonprofit Leadership The episode drops Thursday, July 2
We hope this conversation inspires you to register with the NC Annual Conference’s early-bird rate by July 7. Register now!
In lieu of meeting this summer, we hope that everyone will take the time to go through this NC Center for Nonprofits Legal Compliance Checklist. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team.
Meet our New Partner!
Cape Fear Housing Coalition
Cape Fear Housing Coalition (CFHC) is now at HC in Suite 430! CFHC’s mission is to lead the regional effort ensuring that all residents have safe, affordable homes by protecting and expanding housing options
After being volunteer-led for 20 years, CFHC completed their strategic planning process early 2026 and invested in part-time staff and CPA services to better address the growing housing crisis in our tri-county region.
CFHC collaboration HC Partners is impressive!
CFHC is no stranger to HC, collaborating with Partners and working closely with HC and Housing Navigator Nikki McLaurin to start the HC Housing Navigation program (see story on page 6).
In order to be most efficient & have the best opportunities for collaboration, CFHC’s on-campus hours will overlap with Help Hub walk-in hours. A rotating pool of 6-8 CFHC Board members will be in the office to provide their expertise. We are delighted to welcome CFHC to our campus!
From Boardroom to Ballroom...
Whether you’re a nonprofit planning a 300person gala, a small team hosting an intimate board training, or a corporate partner like GE Hitachi organizing a community-driven event such as their annual Girls in Tech Summit Plaza on Princess is your premier destination Our versatile floor plan scales to meet your mission, no matter the size.
to Command Center
Many lessons were learned after Hurricanes Florence & Helene The New Hanover Disaster Coalition (NHDC) used these lessons to make plans to convert Plaza on Princess into a Command Center in case of disaster. A 150kW generator funded by The Endowment will power our Vicki Dull Annex to allow nonprofit & faith communities to stay connected & engaged with emergency management teams & respond to needs as they are identified
Last month, NHDC brought together 25 human service organizations, along with the County & City’s emergency response personnel for a disaster simulation to “stress test the system” during blue-sky days. Plaza on Princess was converted to the Command Center & we anticipated needs, identified barriers, and planned for response & recovery
“The more intentional we are today, the better prepared our community will be”
news partner
Cape Fear Latinos
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable day filled with culture, live music, traditional dances, delicious Latin American cuisine, artisan vendors, family-friendly activities & more!
Coastal BUDS
iCan Swim Camp July 27-31
Volunteers must be at least 15yo & must be comfortable in the water
No prior experience working with people w/ disabilities needed
Click for Volunteer Page
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charites CF will be posting heat safety tips and resource information daily on our social channels over the next several days to help keep the community informed and prepared Follow on Facebook
Community Care LCF
Recent news coverage has highlighted the ongoing challenges in improving maternal health outcomes across NC. As we approach July’s BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s also important to recognize the impact of postpartum depression & other perinatal mental health conditions.
Supporting maternal health means looking beyond clinical care alone. Access to mental health services, social supports & community resources all play a role in helping families thrive.Through partnerships across our region and with the aid of the Region V Perinatal Nurse Champion, CCLCF remains committed to advancing community-centered solutions that support healthier outcomes for families before, during & after pregnancy!
Community Justice Center
Our team designed reusable tote bags to donate to the local food bank!
It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with one another while supporting a resource that helps people in our community.
Moments like these remind us that improving health happens in all kinds of settings
We’re grateful to bring people together and make a difference close to home
Family Support Network
Feast Down East
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 20 Anniversary Celebration! th
\ For 20 years, FDE has worked to strengthen farming communities across SENC by providing resources, education & distribution opportunities to local farmers while increasing access to fresh, local food for communities in need.Through farmer support programs, food distribution initiatives, mobile markets, and partnerships throughout the region, Feast Down East continues to build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient local food system for all.
Mobile Market sells locally grown foods. View schedule
Foster Pantry
Back to School Bash will be here soon! Stay tuned on website and Facebook page for sponsor, education, donation & volunteer opportunities!
Aug. 2, 2:00-4:00
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Mayor Bill Saffo for officially proclaiming 6/18 as Eat Local Day in ILM. It’s a meaningful recognition of our community members who make our local food system thrive!
GHA Autism Supports
GHA Wilmington is living our best life this summer! Community outings like these provide opportunities for fun, connection & new experiences while enjoying all that our beautiful NC coast has to offer
Fun at Airlie Gardens!
Renovation is underway for Legal Aid’s offices! By summer’s end, the entire district office of LANC will be oncampus, bringing attorneys and staff who handle housing disputes, domestic violence cases, public benefit cases, foreclosures, disaster recoveries, drivers license restoration and misdemeanor expungement.
We look forward to welcoming the LANC team here by fall!
Read more stories from LANC’s 2025 Impact Report: www.legalaidnc.org/2025-impact-report
LINC Operation Pretty Things
LINC showed up for Pender County resource fair and Disaster Preparedness Event, with Linda Thomas (LRC program coordinator) & Burgaw Mayor Olivia Dawson
Philippians 3 Ministries
Philippians 3 will be closed through July 13.
P3 helps people show up for life’s pivotal moments with professional attire for those starting jobs, reentering society, or facing important milestones without the means
Partners rely on P3 Founder Jerri Holliday to help restore self-confidence in their clients, a la: if you look good, you feel good!
Kairos Center sends client entrepreneurs before they meet with bankers.
LINC refers clients for a closet rebuild, as they rebuild their lives post-incarceration.
Eden Village calls on Jerri for residents who wish to show proper respect when paying last respects.
Help Hub regularly directs neighbors to Philippians 3 to be interview-ready
Soaring As Eagles
Join us September 25 in Plaza on Princess! Enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner, silent & live auctions, music, dancing & special presentations!
We will celebrate all that has been accomplished through your efforts & support, as well as envision all we can continue to do as a community to actively pursue the fight against abuse. GetTicketsToday!
2026 Pre-K jumpstart Is located at DC Virgo preparatory Academy on Nixon Street. Every day we welcome over 40 little ones, teaching them academic and social skills that will last a lifetime.
We are happy that our parent lunch & learn has engaged an average of 20 parents and caregivers each session so far.
The Salvation Army
A Bike for Every Child
Bike donations can be dropped at the HC in the lower parking deck, M-F 8:30-3:00.
Our Center of Hope had the pleasure of participating in all 5 of the recent disaster preparedness expos in New Hanover, Pender, Columbus, Brunswick & Bladen counties
These free community-wide events aimed to educate and promote emergency preparedness & recovery in order for the community to be stronger together before, during, and after disasters
We have daily volunteer openings for our evening meal services from 4:45-6:30pm.To serve our residents and community please call 910-762-2070 Ext. 66560.
Anthony’s Way
Cape Fear Collective
State of Nonprofits Survey Update
80 Organizations Responded
90 People completed the survey
Highest response from subsectors in:
Human Services
Housing
Arts & Culture
Education
Economic & Workforce Development
CFC will soon share more about themes that emerged during the early community engagement sessions. (See list to the right.)
There are plans for additional listening sessions to add context & ground survey responses in the lived experience of the sector. If you are interested in participating, contact data@capefearcollective.org.
Cape Fear HealthNet
Dr. Andre Leonard has been Cape Fear HealthNet’s part-time medical director since 2015. He oversees CFHN’s Specialty Referral Program, ensuring that low-income residents have access to a medical home, receive preventive services &
avoid unnecessary health complications resulting in a better, healthier quality of life
Dr. Leonard recently secured Novant Health Heart & Vascular as part of CFHN’s specialty care network Now, CFHN patients won’t have to travel to UNC or Duke for some procedures and care.
Dr Leonard’s ability to secure the specialty care providers in our network is what makes the program so successful.
Seven themes came up repeatedly - Nonprofits are:
1 Forced to React - Nonprofits live grant to grant That makes it hard to keep staff and to plan or invest for the long term.
2.Caught in the Middle - Nonprofits are taking on work that government used to do. But the funding to pay for it has not followed.
3.Stuck in Crisis Mode - The strain shows up as burnout, staff turnover, and more demand than they can meet.
4.Hard to Coordinate - The sector needs shared tools and systems to work together well.
5.Asked to Prove Impact - Funders want to see the impact of their grants. But they do not always fund the groups they support to track and measure that impact.
6.A Sector That Wants to Be Counted - The sector wants its value to the economy and the community to be seen and counted.
7.Funders Want Better Tools, Too - Funders want tools that show where steady, long-term funding would do the most good.
Caridad
Our program includes: Regular Check-Ins Hands-On Help Appointment Assistance
Church World Service
CWS & Cape Fear Community College are hosting summer English Practice Potlucks providing opportunities for Cape Fear’s ESL students and CWS clients to build community and practice conversational English
The more English-speaking volunteers who participate, the more English learners can attend. Prompts are provided to stimulate conversation.
The last two gatherings will be held on Monday, July 20 and Monday, August 3, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To RSVP as an Englishspeaking volunteer, please fill out this survey
Communities in Schools
Child Development Center
Now enrolling for the new school year!
CDC is accepting children from 2 to 5, all abilities.We accept day care vouchers and have NC PreK onsite.
If you have questions about enrollment or CDC's program, contact Heather Ratliff at hratliff@cdcwilmington.org.
Follow CDC on Facebook to stay updated about fun family gatherings throughout the summer for families with little ones who have developmental or intellectual disabilities Ex:
A rendezvous at the Splash Pad in Long Leaf Park
Sensory-friendly screenings of family films at The Pointe movie theater
Picnics at area parks
Eden Village
Financial Protection Law Center
FPLC provides protection & legal representation for low-income NC residents to help them preserve home ownership, build equity and prosper.
Clients are not generally served by traditional lenders & face higher interest rates and less favorable terms Because of the lack of fair options available, they also become victims of unfair and predatory practices.
We provide legal services and support to protect lowincome clients from unfair and predatory financial practices, allowing them to stay in their own homes.
July 11
We are grateful to have Sonny & Mac on staff at Eden Village!
Sonny Peer Support Specialist Mac Social Worker
Habitat for Humanity IndependentWorks
Immigrant Allies Forum
IAF recently raised over $50k for the family of a child who was severly injured, enabling his mother to focus on his care and recovery
We are currently raising funds for needs such as emergency rent assistance and passport applicaiton fees for US citizen children of immigrant parents.
We would like to develop a roster of volunteer interpreters who are available on an as-needed basis. Look for us on ILM Volunteer Hub later this month!
NAMI Wilmington
Family support groups, Peer Run support groups, Senior Mental Health Talks and more are hosted regularly See dates and times at namiwilmington.org/calendar.
Mark your calendar!
NAMI’s 24 AnnualWalk for Awareness th Saturday, October 3
Long Leaf Park.
Pre-register here
Register for the Gardening Program
New Program for Eligible Adults with Intellectual & Developmental DisabilitiesEnrolling Now
Info Session -Tuesday, July 7th - 5 PM Northeast Library - Wilmington
Kathy Martinez & Raemona Frederick of CFCC's new program will talk to us about this tuition-free program for eligible adults with intellectual disabilities
The program allows students to explore education & career opportunities aligned with their interests & strengths Through personalized guidance and partnerships with local employers, students gain real-world experience, build confidence & prepare for meaningful, long-term employment.
Our goal is simple: create inclusive pathways that empower every student to thrive
United Way CF Area
SInce the Community Chest was established in the 1940s, our organization has been supported by the kindness & generosity of those who would give the time, talent & treasure
Yoga Village Cofounder Heather Lilly was recently on the Resiliency Within podcast!
Who or what uplifts you?
Serving our community starts with showing up. This week, our CEO Dick Jones stepped into food service operations to help support our Summer Feeding Program because ensuring kids have access to nutritious meals takes all of us working together
Throughout the summer, our team helps provide healthy meals to children when school is out, helping families and ensuring young people have the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
TIMEFORA
resiliency resiliency
We're grateful for leaders who lead by example and for the staff, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible every day. Together, we're strengthening our community, one meal at a time.
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300 Snack Bags!
Hope Community Kids, Pine Valley Baptist Help Hub Volunteer Nancy Cannon, the Platto family - your thoughtfulness in providing over 280 snack bags for our visitors has already brought joy to dozens of people coming in the Welcome Center & Help Hub Thank you for providing this nourishment for our neighbors.
Sign up to bring in preassembled snack bags (great service project for your group!) or the bring the supplies by and our volunteers will assemble the bags.
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S
Join us at Magnolia Greens for golf and a ladies’ division— supporting 40+ HC nonprofits!
N o v . 1 9
Thankful Hearts Day is a day of celebration & gratitude, welcoming in the spirit of the season.
A p r 2 2
A day of outdoor activities, food & live music on 850 acres, 20 minutes from downtown ILM.
The Harrelson Center advances, connects & empowers an integrated humanitarian nonprofit community.