The Greenville Community Shelter (formerly known as Community Crossroads), has been a long-standing, non-profit organization since 1987. The Greenville shelter has been a safe haven for many to seek refuge when faced with homelessness and it’s continued to prosper over the years. The shelter has never closed its doors to the people of Greenville - even in the midst of a pandemic; it has remained a reliable, safe space for those in need. In recent years, the shelter has received the funding and resources to be able to expand their campus onto the site that was home to the former Agnes Fullilove School. This allows for more residential spots, community services, and life opportunities to be open to the public.

We had the privilege of speaking with the executive director of the shelter, Charles Young, about his experience with the shelter and how this new change will impact the city of Greenville and its residents. When asked about what sources of funding and community support made this new building possible, Young states that the shelter had “anchor funding from Pitt County and the City of Greenville, with funds from the American Rescue Plan,” to get the new building up and running. Young also highlights the many generous donors such as: Grady-White Boats, State Employee Credit Union Foundation, TowneBank, and Home Builders Supply, with support from multiple churches and private donors as well. Bringing the vision to life has been a rewarding process for all involved; with the help of “writing several grants to help with funding”, the non-profit has greatly surpassed their goal to build the new building.

The new facility will expand the shelter’s ability to serve individuals and families in need through the up and coming Resource Center. The Resource Center will: “provide free medical care services from the Greenville Community Shelter Clinic,” while also providing “basic services and referrals to specialists as needed,” in addition to free prescriptions. Additionally, Pitt Community College and Access East will be helping serve these individuals by offering job readiness training, starting in October, and a Medicaid enrollment office. More agencies will also have offices available and their contributions will be announced at a later date.

The new building, in comparison to the old one, will have new resources such as “...a new clinic, having space for other agencies to come in and meet with clients in a confidential office, and the space to house 6 additional families and a total of 36 new beds.” Previously, each family room only housed 4 beds and there was often a waitlist to receive a room at the shelter. Now, with the expansion, more families will be available to reside at the shelter and the capacity won’t have to be capped off. Since COVID-19, the family rooms have remained full and the creation of the new building will help many families facing homelessness.

The building’s goal is to strengthen not only the shelter itself, but the community within - and around - it. The support from the community has been everything to the shelter and without it, the creation of the new building would, as said by Mr. Charles Young, “not be possible.” The Resource Center was specifically a community group effort and through the support of “the City, County, numerous churches, businesses, and individuals,” the building was able to expand and develop for the good of those in need. Through the efforts of the entire community, the project was properly supported. The new facility will help the shelter respond to emerging needs and continue to provide hope and stability for those experiencing homelessness. The new facility will help the shelter respond to emerging needs and continue to provide hope and stability for those experiencing homelessness through the new Resource Center and additional family room wings. While at the shelter, residents will have access to “health care, case management, and referrals to agencies that can help meet their needs.”

1. What sources of funding and community support made this new building possible, and how did you navigate the process of bringing the vision to life? We had anchor funding from Pitt County and the City of Greenville with funds from the American Rescue Plan. We also had support from many generous donors. Some of the larger donors were: Grady-White Boats, State Employee Credit Union Foundation, TowneBank, Home Builders Supply, many churches and many more private donors. We wrote several grants to help with the fundraising.

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‍2. In what ways do you expect the new facility to expand the shelter’s ability to serve individuals and families in need compared to the old space? Our new facility will help community members and our residents get the services needed to make a better life for themselves. The Resource Center will provide free medical services from the Greenville Community Shelter Clinic. They provide basic services and referrals to specialists as needed. They also provide free prescriptions. Pitt Community College plans to begin job readiness training in October. These classes are open to anyone free of charge. Access East will have an office to enroll people in Medicaid. Other agencies plan to have an office, and their services will be announced later.

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3. What new resources, services, or programs will be available in the new building that weren’t possible before? Before we had the new building, our clinic operated out of mobile exam rooms. Having the new clinic makes things work much more smoothly. We also now have space for other agencies to come in and meet with clients in a confidential office. Once renovations are completed in the shelter building, we will have space to house 6 additional families and a total of 36 new beds. Each room will have 6 beds, which works better for large families. Our existing family rooms only have 4 beds each. Our family rooms have remained full since they were reopened after Covid. The addition will help the many homeless families. We often have a waiting list for the rooms we have available now.

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4. How do you see this building strengthening not only the shelter itself, but also the broader community’s efforts to care for vulnerable neighbors? Our new Resource Center was a community group effort. We had support from the City, County, numerous churches, businesses, and individuals. If not for the support, the building would not be possible. The entire community united and supported our project in order to help those that are less fortunate and need the help.

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5. Looking ahead, how will this new facility help the shelter respond to emerging needs and continue to provide hope and stability for those experiencing homelessness? Our new Resource Center and additional family room wing will allow many more homeless families and individuals to be housed in a safe environment. These clients will also have access to health care, case management, and referrals to agencies that can help meet their needs.

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