After more than a year of deep community engagement with East Kinston residents, youth leaders, and partners, we are proud to share the vision for the next phase of the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub.
This future facility builds on the work already happening across our current Hub campus. It is not a replacement for the relationships, programs, and organizing that exist today — it is an investment in sustaining and strengthening them for generations to come.
A Hub Designed With — and For — the Community
The future East Kinston Neighborhood Hub is envisioned as a permanent, purpose-built facility located on a 1.5-acre site within the Hub’s broader campus, centrally situated near Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and within walking distance of one of the most densely populated areas of East Kinston. From the beginning, this vision has been shaped by what residents said they need most:
Space to gather and organize
Access to food, technology, and learning
Safety and stability during emergencies
Opportunity without displacement
The result is a Hub designed to serve everyday life — and to respond when life becomes uncertain. The future Hub will bring together flexible, people-centered spaces that reflect how the community already uses the Hub today:
Multi-Use Community Spaces
Rooms that adapt for classes, meetings, celebrations, trainings, and cultural events — welcoming everything from youth workshops to family reunions.Commercial Kitchen & Food Infrastructure
A shared kitchen supporting food-based entrepreneurs, community meals, and neighborhood food access — and capable of preparing and distributing meals during emergencies.Outdoor Gardens, Play & Gathering Areas
Spaces for rest, healing, movement, and connection — where residents can work the soil, children can play, and neighbors can gather across generations.Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Design
Solar energy, water collection systems, and green infrastructure that reduce costs, protect the environment, and strengthen the neighborhood’s ability to weather disruptions.
A Vision That Is Ambitious — and Achievable
As we work toward the future East Kinston Neighborhood Hub facility, we are intentionally prioritizing people, systems, and stewardship alongside design and construction.
Rather than rushing toward a single large build, we are focused on strengthening the capacity of both the neighborhood and our organization to responsibly manage a project — and a community asset — of this scale. That means centering community trust, operational readiness, and long-term sustainability at every step.
We are actively pursuing public, philanthropic, and private funding aligned with environmental justice, climate resilience, community development, workforce pathways, and infrastructure. At the same time, we are investing in the foundations that make large investments successful: governance, partnerships, financial systems, staffing, and community leadership.
Beyond its role as a place of service, the Hub will nurture inner resilience for East Kinston’s residents. It will provide a safe, welcoming environment where people can play, heal, learn, and grow. The outdoor garden will offer opportunities to work the earth, while multigenerational play will strengthen bonds between residents. Art and storytelling—whether through murals, music, or cultural programming—will allow the community to celebrate its heritage, and collective organizing will thrive in this community-owned, inclusive space.
Resilience at its Core
The Hub will operate as a community resilience center, offering “blue sky” services during everyday life and quickly transitioning to support neighborhood needs during “dark sky” days—such as during extreme weather events or disasters. This includes:
Solar Power Backup: Keeping the facility operational during power outages.
Cisterns for Rainwater Collection: Supporting environmental sustainability and stormwater management.
Emergency Shelter Capabilities: Showers and restrooms for those in need during emergencies.