Solar and Energy Efficiency Working Together

Helping the Homeless

Established in 1983 as a modest Soup Kitchen, Good Shepherd [https://www.goodshepherdwilmington.org/] has grown to become the largest provider of homeless services in the region. Current programs include the Soup Kitchen which serves over 89,000 meals a year; Second Helpings food salvage and distribution program; Sgt. Eugene Ashley Center providing transitional and permanent supportive housing for Veterans and men with disabilities; a Day Shelter providing the homeless with access to showers, clothing, transportation, and on-site mental health and health services; and a Night Shelter with 118 beds for homeless men, women, and families with children. Good Shepherd recently opened SECU Lakeside Reserve, an affordable housing unit with 40 apartments for chronically homeless adults with disabilities, including seniors and Veterans. We were pleased to have a conversation with the Executive Director of the Center, Katrina Knight, on the important work they do in our region.

Protecting Our Coastline

Since 1982, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has been in the field restoring miles of coastline; training and educating students, adults, and communities to take actions that result in cleaner coastal waters and advocating for an accessible, healthy, productive coast. North Carolina has 3,375 miles of coastline which contributes billions in economic value to the state. Created to give a united voice to the need for long-term coastal management, the Federation remains a collaborative, grassroots organization at its heart and brings together traditional and nontraditional organizations, government agencies, and businesses in order to achieve what is best for the North Carolina coast and to leave a legacy of clean water for future generations. Information on the Federation can be found here: https://www.nccoast.org/ [https://www.nccoast.org/] For those who are interested in making their backyards and homes more environmentally friendly by reducing stormwater runoff you can find the Federation’s Smart Yards brochure here: https://www.nccoast.org/resource/smart-yards/ [https://www.nccoast.org/resource/smart-yards/] #coastline #northcarolina #nccoastalfederation #environment #raingarden

Investing in the Health of our Community

Novant Health has made a series of announcements detailing their investment in facilities and services for the residents of the region. Recently, the State approved Novant Health’s planned hospital in Leland (in the Terrapin community). The new facility will include 20 acute care beds and five procedure rooms. The facility will include a 24/7 emergency room, ten observation beds and imaging services. Construction is estimated to cost $251 million and Novant Health anticipates hiring 204 staff members. the new hospital is expected to open to patients on January 1, 2030. To talk about this project and other investments in the community, we are pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with Kevin Briggs, the President of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.

Assisting Unsheltered Families in our Community

Brunswick Partnership for Housing, Inc. [https://www.brunswickpartnership.org/] is a private, non-profit organization. They provide services for more than 500 unsheltered individuals and families annually and advocate for the development of permanent, safe and affordable housing in Brunswick County. Services include: * Outreach and case management * Information and referrals * Emergency shelter through area motels * Transitional housing for homeless families To learn more about this important program and their community partners, we were pleased to speak with Sally Learned, Executive Director of the Partnership.

Preparing our Schools for our Future

Brunswick County is the sixth fastest growing County in the United States. And, as our County grows, so do the number of children who are attending our public schools. A recent news article in the Brunswick Beacon reported that the number of students attending Brunswick County Schools (BCS) is expected to grow by 42% over the next decade - nearly 6,000 students. This November residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed bond that provides BCS with the funding necessary to build a new elementary school (just north of Brunswick Forest) and new High School between Leland and Winnabow to meet student population growth. Additionally funds will be used for various upgrades at schools including intercom and wiring upgrades, bleacher upgrades and site development for future schools. To discuss the needs of BCS we were pleased to talks with Dale Cole the Superintendent of Schools. You can learn more about the bond by clicking here: https://www.bcswan.net/school-board/2026bond [https://www.bcswan.net/school-board/2026bond]