Metropolitan Housing & Community Development Corporation (MHCDC) is honored to announce that we have been awarded a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. This generous award represents more than just funding, it is an investment in our mission, our people, and the communities we serve. Through the SECU Foundation’s Mission Development Grant Program, MHCDC will have the opportunity to strengthen internal capacity, expand our reach, and continue building sustainable pathways toward housing stability and economic empowerment. The SECU Foundation’s Mission Development Grant Program is designed to provide capacity building assistance to organizations committed to serving North Carolina communities. The grant supports institutional assessments, leadership coaching, and strategic development in key areas essential for growth and long-term impact. Launched as a pilot initiative in April 2017, the program originally provided up to five grants of $40,000 each over a three-year period. Due to its success and the measurable difference it made for participating nonprofits, the program was expanded in 2019 to include up to ten additional grants, and in 2022, it officially became a fundamental element of the Foundation’s ongoing grantmaking. For MHCDC, this award comes at a pivotal moment in our organizational journey. As we continue expanding our housing counseling, community development, and financial literacy programs, this grant will allow us to enhance our internal infrastructure, invest in leadership development, and position our organization for long-term sustainability. We are deeply grateful to the SECU Foundation for its belief in our mission and its commitment to strengthening the nonprofit organizations that serve North Carolina’s communities every day. This partnership reflects not only financial support but also a shared vision for lasting impact. A vision that uplifts people, builds stronger systems, and creates opportunities where they are needed most. From all of us at Metropolitan Housing & Community Development Corporation, thank you to the SECU Foundation for your trust, generosity, and partnership. Your support empowers us to continue our work with renewed purpose and the resources to make a greater difference for the families and communities we serve. Together, we are building stronger systems, stronger leaders, and stronger communities.

On September 9, 2025, I attended the Re-entry Simulation hosted by Trillium in Martin County. What I thought would be a structured exercise quickly became one of the most eye-opening and impactful experiences I have had in understanding the struggles faced by individuals re-entering society after incarceration. The event began with powerful insights from Judge Regina Parker, Chief District Court Judge for District 2, and Jeron Randall, Reentry Coordinator, who spoke about the systemic challenges justice-involved individuals encounter immediately after release. Their remarks set the tone for the simulation, preparing us for the weight of the choices we would soon face.  I was handed a packet that represented the life of someone just released. In it, I learned whether I had identification, housing, or education, along with a list of my release obligations such as rent, child support, probation check-ins, and mandatory drug screenings. To make things more difficult, I drew a “wild card” that simulated a learning impairment, making it harder to understand key instructions. Others received cards tied to mental health conditions or addiction recovery, each adding another layer of challenge.