Community Foundation awards grants to help homeless, peace garden, substance abuse treatment

Room in the Inn helps people get back on their feet, in a variety of ways. They were able to help this guest be reunited with his daughter, who lives in another state. [Photo courtesy Room at the Inn]

The Outer Banks Community Foundation board of directors recently approved $42,000 in new grants to support the services of local nonprofits.

The foundation awarded Room in the Inn a grant of nearly $34,000 to provide shelter, a peer support resident, and guest transportation for homeless men and women on the Outer Banks during the cold winter months. Room in the Inn now rents a shelter facility and is augmenting its case management services to help guests move toward self-sufficiency.

The Peace Garden Project received funding from your Community Foundation for a new hydroponic growing system for its three gardens on Roanoke Island. The organization’s purpose is two-fold: to engage youth in growing fresh, nutritious food, and to combat food insecurity.

Saving Lives Task Force was awarded a grant to provide access for Dare County residents in need of substance use disorder treatment. Community Foundation support will help people afford transportation to treatment, and facility entry fees. The Saving Lives Task Force works to ensure that any person in Dare County, regardless of resources, will have access to detoxification facilities, residential treatment, and sober living homes when they are ready for change.

Additionally, several donor-advised funds within the Community Foundation awarded grants recently, including the Preston Family Fund and the Kelly Family Fund. Donor-advised funds are managed on behalf of individuals and families, who recommend the grants that are awarded. Recent recipients included a host of local organizations, such as First Flight Society, Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, Community Care Clinic of Dare, and Hatteras Island Rescue Squad, to name just a few. (If you’re interested in opening a donor-advised fund, call us 252-261-8839.)

“We are inspired by the remarkable generosity of so many people, not just in our community, but from around the country, who care about the Outer Banks and who make contributions to support our community’s biggest needs and most promising opportunities, year after year,” said executive director Lorelei Costa. “I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has donated to our Community Foundation this year. We are able to respond quickly to evolving needs, ONLY because of the generosity of community members–people like you.”

To contribute to the Community Foundation’s Community Fund, and help more families in our community get the support they need visit, www.obcf.org or call 252-261-8839 for more information.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. Based in a historic flat top cottage in Southern Shores, the Community Foundation manages $20 million across 190 charitable funds for individuals and agencies, awards grants to local nonprofits, administers 55 scholarship programs, and provides tailored services to help donors pursue their charitable interests. Since its inception in 1982, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students.

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