Our Vision
To become a leader in promoting holistic opportunities that impact and empower underserved students and their families in Wake County and surrounding areas.
Our Mission
To equip students and their families through family-centered programs and access to academic, career, financial and health resources that increase academic success, career opportunities and improve wellness.
Our Values
- Equipping Communities
- Empowering Relationships
- Emphasizing Social Justice
- Encouraging Entrepreneurship
Message from the Board President
Resilience – the resounding sentiment that comes to mind as I reflect on how our community continually strives to overcome the inevitable challenges we face. As we’ve learned how to adapt to our new way of living amid Covid, we now face hardship with rising gas and food prices, rental shortages, and overly competitive housing markets. Students in Wake County and neighboring school systems are returning to school with alarming teacher shortages. Certainly, these challenges among others, highlight even more the importance of our center’s programs and what we offer to supplement a child’s education and to provide resources to parents and families that may not otherwise have access.
Celebrating 7 years of service to the Millbrook and surrounding communities, the Berean Community Center is anticipating another impactful year thanks to funding we’ve received, our committed partners and sponsors, and our volunteers. As we consider how to best address the community’s needs and challenges, we look forward to strengthening our Hunt for Success program with emphasis on our Family Academy and STEM Academy.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would sincerely like to express appreciation to Christine- Montague-Hicks for her years of service and many contributions to the Berean Community Center. Christine first joined the board as a director and has served as our Executive Director over more recent years. As of August 31st, Christine’s time with us will end as she has relocated to Hawaii. We certainly wish Christine and her family the best. In her absence, I will oversee the center’s daily operations until we officially onboard our next Executive Director.
Respectfully submitted,
Yolanda S.W. Moore, O.D.
President, Berean Community Center
Message from the Executive Director
The past two years has provided me with many meaningful opportunities and experiences. I had the opportunity to play an important role in contributing to the development and implementation of our three year strategic plan, new programs (i.e. Family Academy, STEM Academy), and strengthening our strategic relationships with partner organizations. 2021 marked the implementation of our three year strategic plan. Here is a brief synopsis of the progress on our strategic objectives.
People We Serve: New family centered programs were added that provided access to academic resources. The Hunt for Success Family Academy provide guidance to parent on educational advocacy. The program offered ways for parents to support their child’s academically through free virtual workshops and varies giveaways. Special thanks to Costco who provided financial support for this program. The STEM Academy program, a youth development program, has been funded by Wake County American Rescue Plan Community Grant. This program will be fully developed and implemented next year.
Internal Processes: This year included a partnership with Saint Augustine’s University Media and Communications Department which provided an opportunity for a student intern with the community center. Miss Alyssa Berry was our first intern. Though this internship opportunity we were able to increase program visibility by developing our social media strategy and posting content to our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds. We look forward to hosting other interns next year.
Funding: This year we witness some diversity in funding support. Grants were received from Costco, the John Rex Endowment and Wake County American Rescue Plan Community Grant. We also saw an increase in individual donors as a result of the “Unleashing the Power of Giving Campaign.”
This report provides a glimpse of the impact we have been able to have in 2021.
It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that I am leaving my role as Executive Director. I have relocated to Hawaii. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such an engaging board of directors, many wonderful community partners and dedicated volunteers. Though my time with the Berean Community Center has come to a close, I remain committed to the mission equipping students and their families through family-centered programs and access to academic, career, financial and health resources that increase academic success, career opportunities and improve wellness.
Thank you and Aloha,
Christine Montague-Hicks M.ED, NCC, LCMHC
Executive Director
| STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES | |||
| People | Internal Processes | People We Serve | Funding |
| Provide board education and training | Increase staff capacity | Offer training to parents on and about social media | Identify and reach all potential donors |
| Increase space | Provide guidance to minority parents on educational advocacy | Diversify funding sources | |
| Increase visibility of our programs | Offer youth programs to foster social, wellness and leadership development | ||
| Develop a coalition of strategic partnerships | Engage parents / community in program development | ||
| Increase volunteer capacity | Offer education in financial and economic empowerment | ||
Traditionally in August we would host the grand annual Back2School Bash but due to the pandemic we created an alternative way to support the back pack give away. Volunteers helped to stuff 25 backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies that were given to students who participated in the Summer Food Service Program and the Hunt for Success Family Academy.
The Hunt for Success Family Academy is our newest program implemented in 2021. Virtual workshops and educational events offered in collaboration with Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Community Family Academy. The workshops provided families with the necessary academic tools to support the success of their child’s education and to bring schools, parents/guardians, families, and community organizations together as equal partners. 10 families participated in the inaugural program. Parents thanked BCC and facilitators for bring and sharing resources to support their child (ren)’s education.
BCC supported the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) again this year through our partnership with New Hope Baptist Church. Lunch meals were provided to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school was not in session. Lunches were distributed on Tuesdays at the Lexington on the Green Apartment Complex. Approximately 70 meals were distributed this summer.
Thanksgiving Support was provided the 6 families participating in the Hunt for Success Family Academy. Six (6) families received a $50.00 Food Lion gift card to assist with the family’s holiday meal. Families expressed their gratitude for the Thanksgiving meal gift cards.
Financial Statement
Berean Community Center received $78,761.07 in revenue for the fiscal year. Our revenue came from Berean Baptist Church, BCC Board of Directors, general donations, and grants.
Expenses for the fiscal year were $30,633.31.
Volunteer Impact
In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” Our inspired volunteers offered themselves freely to our programs and services. We are truly grateful to our volunteers and donors for their support in 2021.
2021/2022 Board of Directors
Rev., Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr.Berean Baptist Church of Brooklyn, NY and Raleigh, NC,
Senior Pastor
BCC Ex-Officio
Dr. Yolanda S. W. MooreOptometrist,
My Eye Doctor
Board President
Mr. J’Sham High
Educator
Wake County Public School System
Board Member
Mrs. Jacqueline Wynn, MPH
Public Health (Retired)
Board Vice President
Mrs. Kathleen High
Executive Ministry Director,
Berean Baptist Church of Raleigh, NC
Board Member
Mr. Robert Hanks, Jr.
Financial Associate,
Board Member
Ms. Nia Mariso
Program Associate,
NC Area Health Education Center
Board Secretary
Mrs. Joycelyn P. Proctor-GriffinMinister of Pastoral Care,
Berean Baptist Church of Raleigh, NC
Board Member