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Celebrating Twenty Years of Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks

Homepage News Celebrating Twenty Years of Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks
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Celebrating Twenty Years of Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks

February 6, 2020
By Steve Lee
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https://youtu.be/b48P58VHzJE

April 1999

Leading Into New Communities, Inc. was incorporated. Called LINC, Inc., Frankie Roberts and Tracey Ray made official their vision for a community-based nonprofit serving justice-involved individuals.

June 2000

The first LINC, Inc. office opened in the back of Frankie Roberts’ barber shop, House of Creations, at 1202 Castle Street. Frankie Roberts and Tracey Ray were both founders of the organization, and its first volunteer staff.

June 2002

Two years after LINC, Inc. started operating out of Frankie’s barber shop, the first staff team were hired. The organization’s annual budget was $150,000, and it was funded by the Governor’s Crime Commission and the City of Wilmington.

Later in 2002, LINC, Inc. opened offices and a 10-bed Transitional Campus for men at 907 Castle Street. The New Workforce Program was created.

2007

LINC, Inc. established the Youth Development Program to provide positive mentorship and model good life choices to justice-involved youth.

August 2012

LINC, Inc. took a huge step in the fields of nonrecidivism and work with formerly incarcerated individuals with the acquisition, renovation, and opening of the Marvin E. Roberts Transitional Living Campus. The campus was named in memory of Frankie’s late brother. With 45 beds – 25 for men, and 20 for women – M.E.R. provided housing and was staffed with 24/7 case management staff.

At the end of 2012, the Urban Farm was established on the grounds of the M.E.R. campus. The farm was an opportunity to provide skills training, work ethic, and install provide in both teamwork and accomplishment.

2014

LINC, Inc. opened administrative offices at 801 Princess Street, providing easy access to both the Castle Street location and the M.E.R. campus, and downtown’s government and courts.

2015 

The LINC Society was created to recognize and appreciate the corporations, volunteers, and non-profit organizations that contribute and support the mission of LINC.

November 2016

LINC, Inc. started the Landfill Temp Services program, providing job opportunities for M.E.R. residents.

In 2016, New Hanover County Local Reentry Council (LRC) was created at LINC, and began serving individuals returning from incarceration. LRC serves focused on clients who were not admitted to M.E.R., and greatly expanded LINC’s immediate service population.

In December, the first bicycles arrive at the M.E.R. campus, as a gift to LINC residents from PPD.

2017 

The LITE Manhood website was launched, a program that grew from LINC’s Youth Development Program.

Volunteer leadership organized the M.E.R. bicycle assignment program, called ‘Turnaround Bikes,’ providing residents transportation and independence.

2019

In September the first North Carolina chapter of the Raleigh-based Second Chance Alliance was established at LINC, Inc. Second Chance Alliance advocates for legislative reform impacting justice-involved individuals and promoting voters’ rights.

Permanent Supportive Housing for Women opened at 2609 Robeson Street.

The M.E.R. campus continued its recovery from Hurricane Florence damage. A prototype container “tiny” house was constructed. A chapel was built on the grounds, and a permanent bike shelter was built.

The garden recovery was supported with the addition of a professional garden manager.

2020

At the start of the year, Permanent Supportive Housing for Men opened on North Fifth Avenue.


Twenty Years of Awards & Recognitions

2003 Outstanding Community Involvement & Volunteer Service Award, Wilmington Chapter Winston Salem State University

2006 Public Organization of the Year Public Administration Program UNCW

2011 Nonprofit Entrepreneur of the Year Wilmington Business Journal

2011 UNCW Film Studies Individual Clarence Award

2011 Cape Fear Council of Governments Outstanding Professional Award

2011 Entrepreneur of the Year, Public Administration Program UNCW

2012 Civitan Good Citizen Award

2014 North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Housing North Carolina Award

2014 Wilmington Real Estate Awards, Community Builder

2015 Razor Walker Awards UNCW

2016 Public Organization of the Year

2018 Best of Wilmington Human Service Organizations

2019 City of Wilmington Commission on African American History Living Legend Award

Tags: LINC Milestones history anniversary

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LINC, Inc

P.O. Box 401
Wilmington, NC 28402

T (910) 332-1132
F (910) 332-1145
E info@lincnc.org

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Tuesday, 16, Jan
Language of Incarceration
Friday, 2, May
Second Chance Employers: A Critical Link for Reentry
Wednesday, 23, Apr
From Eyes On The Law: Mythbusting Reentry
Wednesday, 23, Apr
The LINK | April 2025 Updates from LINC, Inc.
Tuesday, 18, Mar
The LINK | March 2025 Updates from LINC, Inc.
Wednesday, 26, Feb
The New Hanover County Housing Crisis and the Justice-Involved
Monday, 24, Feb
LINC, Inc. Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Milestones Campaign

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