6/16/2025 – Celebrating Merrick Moore Community Development Corporation as our Nonprofit of the Week 

The Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation (MMCDC), a community-based 501(c)(3) organization, is committed to fostering community bonds and enhancing the quality of life for underprivileged and disenfranchised residents in Durham, North Carolina. Rooted in a rich history dating back to the 1940s, MMCDC focuses on community preservation, sustainable development, and education, ensuring that the legacy of its residents continues to thrive.  

MMCDC offers free access to fresh fruits and vegetables from our community garden, monthly food distributions, and essential home repairs through the GHI Home Repairs program for income-qualified homeowners. Additional initiatives include technology training for seniors and air monitoring devices to promote a healthier environment. Furthermore, they advocate for infrastructure improvements, focusing on safer streets and expanded sidewalks to enhance accessibility and safety. 

Executive Director Bonita Green has led Merrick-Moore since 2019, and she recently enrolled in TNVLC’s Service Enterprise training. She recognizes the immense value volunteers can bring—to fundraising support, to event coordination and to community outreach.  

The Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) welcomes all community members to join our mission of upliftment and progress. There are numerous ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact: You can help! 

• Volunteer Opportunities: Participate in community events, educational programs, and outreach initiatives. Your skills and time are invaluable in helping us create lasting change. 
• Support Through Donations: Contributions, whether financial or in-kind, help sustain our projects and expand our reach to those in need. Every donation directly supports programs that enrich lives and strengthen our community. 
• Engage in Collaborative Partnerships: Local businesses, schools, and organizations are encouraged to collaborate with MMCDC. Together, we can amplify our efforts and achieve greater outcomes. 
• Spread Awareness: Share information about MMCDC with friends, family, and colleagues. Advocacy is powerful in attracting support and inspiring others to join the cause. 

By coming together, Merrick-Moore residents can continue to cultivate a thriving, inclusive, and empowered community.  

Website: merrickmoorecdc.org  

Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Nextdoor 

6/9/2025

Renewing Lives, Restoring Hope: Your support matters to Hope Renovations 

Hope Renovations builds futures and transforms lives with a dual mission: preparing underemployed women and gender expansive individuals for construction careers and helping older adults age in place. Hope Renovations believes that everyone deserves a safe and dignified place to call home. They transform crumbling houses into havens, repair communities, and rebuild lives—but they can’t do it alone. With your support, they can continue their mission to provide critical home repairs for low-income families, seniors, and veterans who lack the resources to maintain their homes. 

Hope Renovations was one of seven organizations selected for the prestigious Women in Apprenticeship & Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant. This month the Department of Labor terminated this grant along with others administered by the Women’s Bureau. As a result of the grant termination, Hope is losing $300,000 of a $700,000 grant a third of our entire program budget.  

Founder and CEO, Nora El-Khouri Spencer is quoted speaking to how this funding was used to support our training program. “To be losing a development program at a time that’s really critical to bringing on workers, it’s insulting to the industry,” Spencer said. 

Now more than ever, Hope Renovations can use your help.  Your generosity has a direct impact on those in need. A $50 gift supplies weatherproofing materials to seal a drafty window. $250 funds a wheelchair ramp for a disabled homeowner. Every dollar fuels their work, from fixing leaky roofs to restoring heat in winter. These repairs aren’t just about structures; they’re about stability. A safe home means healthier families, children thriving in school, and seniors aging with dignity and respect. 

The Ripple Effect 
Hope Renovations doesn’t just fix houses; they strengthen communities. Each repaired home lifts property values, reduces blight, and inspires neighbors to take pride in their streets. Volunteers often say they receive more than they give–the joy of seeing a family’s gratitude is unforgettable. 

Volunteer Your Skills or Time 
Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or have never held a hammer, your time matters. You can join their volunteer crews for hands-on projects—no experience needed! Hope Renovations provides training and tools. Prefer behind-the-scenes work? Help organize donations, coordinate outreach, or share their story on social media. By working with this organization, we can all turn compassion into action. 

Act Now 
To make a donation, visit  https://www.hoperenovations.org/donate or sign up to volunteer https://www.hoperenovations.org/volunteer. Your contribution, big or small, writes the next chapter of hope. Let’s rebuild futures—one home at a time. 

“We cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good we can do.” — Join us today. 

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6/2/2025

Slice 325: Cooking Up Change, One Community at a Time! 

This vibrant nonprofit tackles food insecurity head-on across North Carolina and beyond, empowering communities through innovative culinary education and hands-on programs. 

Its mission is simple: to make sustainable, affordable, and culturally relevant nutrition accessible to all.  Slice 325 teaches individuals and families how to stretch their food dollars without sacrificing flavor, dignity, or health. In a world where “eating healthy” can sound like a luxury, it aims to make that a reality, one pot, one pantry, one community at a time. 

Slice 325 serves communities across North Carolina and beyond, from rural towns to urban centers, from church basements to virtual reality classrooms. Slice325 focuses primarily on historically underserved communities where food insecurity, chronic disease, and health disparities are real, but so is resilience. 

Slice 325 offers hands-on cooking classes, grocery store tours, health workshops, VR immersive learning, youth gardening programs, and “flavor boot camps” that teach people how to use herbs and spices instead of salt and sugar. It also provides food boxes, educational materials, and creative events, ranging from “cook-a-longs” to “pepper drops,” that bring people together around the table, both in person and virtually. From immersive cooking classes and grocery store tours to youth gardening initiatives and flavorful boot camps, Slice 325 teaches families how to stretch their budgets without sacrificing taste, dignity, or nutrition.    

Slice 325 can’t do it alone, though. 

How can the community get involved, volunteer, and support this organization? 
Come hang out with them virtually or in real life. You can volunteer, donate, sponsor a class, share your kitchen wisdom, or just show up with a smile (and maybe a can opener). Every hand helps. Slice 325 is always looking for partners, flavor adventurers, and folks who believe in health equity with a side of sass! 

Together, let’s slice through barriers and nourish communities with creativity, compassion, and a dash of fun.  Visit Slice325.org to donate, volunteer, or learn more today! 

Founded in 2017 by health advocate Shemecka McNeil, Slice325 began with a simple question:  How can families eat well without going broke or bored? 

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Why Support Slice325? 

• Impact Lives: Your donation directly funds cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and community resources. 

• Volunteer With Purpose: Host a food drive, assist in classes, share your culinary wisdom, or lend your professional skills. 

• Champion Food Equity: Join Slice 325’s mission to make healthy eating accessible, affordable, and joyful for everyone.

5/26/2025

Be a Lifeline for Survivors: Support the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC) 

The Durham Crisis Response Center works with the community to end domestic, sexual and family violence and human trafficking through advocacy, education, support, and prevention.  For these resounding efforts, it is our Triangle Nonprofit of the Week. 

It’s our city’s principal provider of shelter and support services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence and human trafficking and their families in the Durham area. 

Its continuum of service includes a free and confidential 24-hour Help Line; emergency shelter; safety planning; crisis intervention; information and referrals for job training, housing, and childcare; counseling and support groups; legal advocacy; assistance with filing for victim compensation; hospital accompaniment; community education and outreach. 

DCRC also offers educational workshops and professional training for service providers, law enforcement, hospitals, faith-based organizations, schools, civic groups, and other community members.   It is a vital resource for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Through their comprehensive services, including emergency shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling, and support groups, DCRC empowers people and their families to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.  But they can’t do it alone. Your support makes all the difference. 

Volunteer Your Time: 
DCRC offers opportunities to get involved, whether it’s through direct support, advocacy, or community outreach. Your time and compassion can help create a safer, more supportive environment for survivors.  For example, Help Line Advocates answer the 24-hour helpline, taking evening and night shifts at any point 365 days a year.  They work directly with victims of domestic, sexual and violence and human trafficking providing support, referrals, and general information. 

Donate to Save Lives: 
Financial contributions ensure that DCRC can continue providing critical services to those in need. Your donation helps fund emergency shelter, counseling, and other life-saving resources that empower survivors to heal and thrive. 

The Center relies on donations to provide vital services in our community. Contributions are important for funding our operations as some of our needs cannot be funded through grants. Individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and faith communities can make a donation to DCRC at any time. 

Shana Carignan, DCRC’s executive director, finds that what is particularly rewarding is the “programs not only save lives but also provide individuals with the opportunity to transform their futures”. 

Together, we can end violence and create a brighter future for our community! 

Visit thedcrc.org to learn more about how you can volunteer, donate, or support their mission. Every act of kindness counts. 

Or, get help… 

If you are in danger, someone you know has been hurt or assaulted, or you just want to talk, call their 24-hour helpline at 919-403-6562. 

DCRC staff with community partners from Legal Aid of NC at the NC Family Justice Center Conference.  

DCRC staff wearing blue for Human Trafficking Awareness 

DCRC Executive Director, Shana Carignan. 

Shana Carignan became DCRC’s executive director in October 2024. After 15 years of nonprofit fundraising and marketing, she was excited to step into her new role, and we are excited what is to come under her leadership. “I am truly honored to be a part of the DCRC team. Our agency has a rich history of partnering with the Durham community to offer vital education and support to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Knowing that our programs not only save lives but also provide individuals with the opportunity to transform their futures is incredibly rewarding.” 

5/19/2025

“Be the hand that lifts others up” 

 – Booker T. Washington 

Dorcas Ministries: Helping Their Neighbors Thrive 

What happens when someone believes in you?  

It encourages and motivates you. Most importantly, it makes you believe in yourself.  

For almost 57 years, the staff and volunteers at Dorcas Ministries have believed in their neighbors and provided services to lift up those in need. 

According to Chief Executive Officer André Anthony: “We are a unique social services agency. We provide more than assistance. Through wraparound services, we help our neighbors find a pathway forward on their journey to success.” 

Dorcas Ministries, in partnership with Wake Technical Community College, provides job training, certifications and coaching. Along the way, Dorcas Ministries covers basic needs, such as groceries, gas money and childcare, so clients can focus on achieving their goals. 

“I give all credit to God for finding Dorcas. I just happened to get the email about the BioWork cohort, and God opened the door for me.  
The workshops and information were really helpful, and all the staff were a blessing, especially the recruiter that I was connected with. The experience was excellent.” – Beti 

Dorcas Ministries is supported by donors big and small, but the real powerhouse is…their thrift store. The Dorcas Thrift Shop is one of North Carolina’s most popular thrifting destinations. It’s so well known that customers begin lining up an hour or more before the store opens. Every day is Black Friday! 

Shelley Hobbs, senior director of marketing & communication, points out: “Every time a customer scores an amazing item at the Dorcas Thrift Store, their purchase serves a higher purpose — empowering us to change lives in our community.” 

To learn more about Dorcas Ministries, visit: https://dorcasnc.org/ 

On April 17, 2025, seven Dorcas Ministries clients graduated with certificates from the BioWork program.

Left to right: Kangugi Karanja, Sonja Self, Natasha Smith, Celene Redgate, Vanessa Vargas, Jordan Williams, Betelehem Zewdie

5/12/2025

This week, as our Triangle Nonprofit of the week, we celebrate Urban Ministries of Durham. 

For over 40 years Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) has provided food, shelter and a future to our neighbors and families in need. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of loyal supporters, Urban Ministries can continue to serve more than 600 hot and nourishing meals every day, provide warm beds every night as the temperatures drop, and so much more. Donations fund essential resources and services that help strengthen the lives of individuals and families in our community.    

UMD is the primary public emergency homeless shelter in Durham. Its mission is to connect with the community to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter, and a future to neighbors and families in need. It provides immediate relief to those experiencing chronic or temporary homelessness and work with clients to end their homelessness as quickly and responsibly as possible. By serving as an access point, Urban Ministries connects shelter residents and families to basic needs and life resources to live stably and successfully in our community.  

On average, Urban Ministries of Durham houses nearly 600 men, women, and children per year.  Its welcoming environment and commitment to best practices are designed to promote social equity and foster positive outcomes for the families it serves. Using donations from the community, UMD also distributes groceries and gently-used clothing to over 6,000 homeless or low-resource families each year. Despite challenging times, UMD makes a positive impact on our neighbors in need: 

• •  250,000 meals served each year;
  •  6,000 individuals benefit from our services each year;
  • 2,000 volunteers each & every year;
  •  600 men, women, and children housed each year;
  • 40+ years of providing food, shelter, and a future to our neighbors and families in need.

Contributions to Urban Ministries are making a significant impact by helping to fight poverty, end homelessness, and save lives. Urban Ministries truly appreciates the vital role volunteers and donors play for those they serve.  So, this week, as our Triangle Nonprofit of the week, we celebrate Urban Ministries of Durham. 

5/5/2025

This week we pay tribute to Swim For Charlie as our Nonprofit of the Week. 

Swim for Charlie provides high-quality water safety instruction to second-grade North Carolina students so they can receive vital life-saving water safety skills. Depending on their initial swimming level, children progress through blowing bubbles and putting their faces in the water, kicking, floating on their back, doing elementary backstroke, jumping into the water safely, and more advanced skills.   

Swim For Charlie is free to second-grade students in Orange and Durham Counties; it leverages partnerships among students, parents, schools, pool facilities, and donor groups. Students love coming in; on the days of the program, teachers report that attendance is up. It is important to note that it has benefits beyond the pool. As Dr. Kimberly Ferrell, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools in Durham, has commented: 

The Swim for Charlie program has built confidence, tenacity, and courage in our second-grade students. We have seen an increase in academic performance in our classrooms from our students who have attended the Swim for Charlie program. This partnership created a progressive trusting relationship through the success stories that our students share with their families and school community.  

The program began the year before COVID when it served 200 students; over the past three years, the program has grown to serve almost 800, then 1200, and, this year, 1800 students.  Over the past few years, Swim for Charlie’s active community has involved 150 volunteer instructors, 300+ school personnel, 300+ individual donors and members of sponsoring organizations, 75 pool personnel, 25 board and committee members, 4400+ parents and guardians, and 350 who have helped to pass the word. 

Swim For Charlie was founded in memory of Dr. van der Horst. In his actions as a social justice activist, caring clinician, internationally known infectious disease medical researcher, Public Health crusader, and philanthropist, Charlie was involved in many activities benefiting vulnerable populations.   

You could consider donating to this program by going to https://www.SwimForCharlie.org. If you think you might like to help the program grow further as a swim instructor, go to https://www.handsontriangle.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=150348. You don’t need to win races; many instructors help kids learn to blow bubbles and learn to float and be themselves. 

We celebrate Swim For Charlie as the Triangle Nonprofit of the Week. 

4/30/2025

We are delighted to recognize Keep Durham Beautiful (KDB) as the Triangle Nonprofit of the Week! KDB’s dedication to improving the environment and fostering community engagement is truly inspiring. From planting trees and creating community gardens to organizing litter cleanups and empowering schools, KDB’s impact on Durham is a testament to the power of collective action. 

The numbers speak volumes: 

• 233 trees planted last year, with support for 505 more by other groups. 

• 2,400 students across 32 schools engaged with litter kits. 

• 4,713 volunteers giving their time to beautify local neighborhoods. 

Being certified as a Service Enterprise organization in 2023 by the Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center further highlights KDB’s commitment to leveraging volunteer skills effectively. The heartfelt testimonials from volunteers, teachers, and community members demonstrate how much KDB’s work resonates with the people they serve.  One volunteer said “Every volunteer event I’ve participated in has been well organized and fun! I always feel appreciated, and I meet nice people. I plan to keep volunteering regularly”. Another commented, “I follow Keep Durham Beautiful … and am just so impressed by your organization’s mission and work!” 

There are so many ways you can chip in: 

• Become a Litter Leader or Tree Keeper to help guide others in environmental stewardship. 

• Adopt a street with your community. 

• Subscribe to the KDB newsletter to stay informed about volunteering opportunities. 

• And mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Durham Bee Day Celebration:  June 21 from 9-noon (Durham Central Park) to celebrate Pollinator Week.  https://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/events 

If you’d like to support their mission financially, consider: 

• Attending the Durham Garden Tour. 

• Ordering a litter kit. 

• Dedicating a tree. 

• Sponsoring a litter kit for a school. 

Congratulations again to Keep Durham Beautiful for their outstanding work in making Durham a cleaner, greener, and more connected Durham community.  🌳💚