The LINK | LINC, Inc. December 2024 Newsletter
Celebrate 25 Years of Second Chances
Plan to celebrate LINC, Inc.’s 25th Anniversary as a sponsor of a very special event – the 2025 Milestones Gala. This year, our traditional Milestones dinner will be extra in every way: a dazzling keynote speaker, a dance-worthy band, buffet dinner by Chef Keith Rhodes of Catch, open bar with MisterBartender, and, of course, acknowledgement of our program graduates and inductions into the LINC Society.
This event is set for Thursday, February 20, 2025, so mark your calendars now!
| LINC Welcomes New Board Members |
| LINC’s new board members bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and a shared passion for LINC’s mission to create second chances and opportunities for success and resilience. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will support the organization in expanding its impact across the Cape Fear region. “We are excited to have new members join us on the LINC Board of Directors. Their combined leadership experience, community service experience, and support of our mission will help guide the organization’s continued growth and success,” says Dr. Ashley Wells, LINC Board Chair. |
INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS
Brenda Roberts-Fong, New Hanover County NAACP – Vice Chair
Kacie Harless, Apnimed – Treasurer
Ashley Helfer, RN, MSN, MBA, Novant Health
Brandy Watts, RN, BSN, The Laurels of Pender/Wellpath
Cory Wrisborne, Owner, Suite 108 Events
Rosetta Royster, Esq.
McKay Siegel, Partner, East West Partners
| LINC to participate in North Carolina Sociological Association Conference |
| Frankie Roberts will speak as part of the NC Sociological Association Conference keynote panel. The conference theme is “sociology as citizenship,” and others on the panel are diverse in how they approach that topic. There will be a social movements person, someone researching the issues in Gaza, and someone who works with youth violence prevention. Frankie will contribute his thoughts on LINC’s work in action through community engagement. The conference will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh (South Campus). The conference is open to the public, but if attendees would like to have lunch, they need to register for the conference. The NCSA website link is https://nc-soc.org/ (conference registration page is linked from that page). |
| Items of Note | Announcements and Updates |
| SUCCESS STORY! CONGRATULATIONS! GREAT NEWS To Celebrate. Mr. Dwayne Rhinehart earned his North Carolina Drivers License and paid for ALL traffic violations in Hoke County. He thanks both LINC, Inc. and United Way, where he has been employed part-time since August of this year. |
- A Community Health & Wellness Grant from the New Hanover County ABC Board has been awarded to LINC, Inc. Watch the video here.
- LINC, Inc. was awarded a contract with the NC Department of Adult Correction for an initial term of one year. The contract will fund Transitional Housing services, and has two one-year renewal options.
- LINC, Inc. is proud of Jamir Jumoke, who is part of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Leadership Wilmington Class of 2025.
- NC FIT is expanding to offer NC-Fit Recovery and NC-Fit Wellness programming for clients with SPMI or SMIs.
- The Local Reentry Council at LINC is working on expansion plans for Brunswick, Pender, and Duplin counties. The new LRCs will need office space; if you have comments or resources to share, you can contact Linda Thomas, Local Reentry Coordinator, lthomas@lincnc.org
- Permanent Supportive Housing program at LINC is expanding in 2025 with rental communities beginning to work directly with PSH clients.
- LITE Manhood organized the first Brother-2-Brother fishing trip. Many stingray were caught. Not so many fish.
| LINC Calendar |
| Tuesday, Dec 17 4pm | Ribbon Cutting, LINC transport van, gift from Wrightsville United Methodist ChurchFeb 28 8:30am | Sociology as Citizenship, Annual Conference, Wake Tech Community College – South Campus, Raleigh Every Monday | Mental Health Mondays, 1-2pm, 801 Princess Street For information on any of these events, send an email to info@lincnc.org |
Programs at a Glance – November Stats
Thank you to Cooper Mertens for the LINC program graphics.