Remarks from ED, Jennifer Paul, at New Bern Crossings Groundbreaking
New Bern Crossing is a 192-unit affordable housing development that will be located right of New Bern Ave and I-440. Families Together is a supportive services partner for this development. 40 of the units are geared for rental assistance meant to support families at risk of homelessness.
“My name is Jennifer Paul and I’m so pleased to represent the awesome staff and board of Families Together. It’s wonderful to be here with so many dedicated leaders, partners and friends coming together to celebrate this important milestone and work toward making our community better for all.
Thank you Harmony Housing Affordable Development for the opportunity to partner on the New Bern Crossings project.
We are honored that you chose Families Together to be the Support Services Coordinator for this urgently needed affordable housing community.
At Families Together, we believe every family deserves a home and children should never have to wonder where they’re going to sleep at night.
Yet all too often, the face of homelessness is the face of a child. The number of homeless students has nearly doubled since 2014 according to Wake County Public Schools. We estimate that 8,000 children will become homeless at some point this year.
Families Together has responded to this growing need by working with our partners to help more families move from homelessness to home.
We provide emergency shelter, access to affordable housing; rental assistance to get the family started; and then work with them for up to a year providing holistic, wraparound support to empower their self-sufficiency.
For the last 30 years, this neighborhood has been home to Families Together. We are tucked just over the hill at the end of one of the last remaining dirt roads near downtown.
About 5 years ago, the previous owner of this land – a Families Together supporter -- reached out to see if we’d be interested in purchasing it. While we weren’t in a position to take him up on his offer, we were able to make some connections and introductions and to advocate for the land to be developed for affordable housing.
We were fortunate that Harmony Housing Affordable Development and their partners stepped up and took it from there. We so appreciate that they continued to consult us and keep us in the conversation as the plans materialized.
That led to a new strategic partnership in which Families Together will staff a small team utilizing the unique skills that are at the heart of what our team does every day.
Our goal will be to help make New Bern Crossings a vibrant, supportive and enriching community for families and individuals. We envision using the community space which will include meeting rooms, a kitchen, and office space to provide residents and families in our program living nearby with access to a range of life skills training, education opportunities, and enriching activities. Just a few examples include:
Budgeting and Financial Health Coaching
Social and Recreation Opportunities
Wellness checks from healthcare providers
Job Skills Training
Computer Classes
GED classes & tutoring for kids
Ultimately, we will seek to help families and individuals achieve their goals for improved health, education, and financial stability. And the first step is what New Bern Crossings will offer – a stable, affordable place to call home from which to learn and grow.
Thank you again for the opportunity to be here this morning. We are thrilled beyond measure about the hopeful promise of New Bern Crossings and the positive, life-changing impact it will offer so many deserving families and individuals in our community.
Thank you!”