A $2 million grant from the member-funded SECU Foundation will help revitalize the Southeast Raleigh community. SECU Foundation Board Chair Cynthia Jolly announced the grant and presented a ceremonial check to the Southeast Raleigh Promise organization during a special event held last week at the Raleigh Pathways Center. Ms. Jolly was joined by colleagues from State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) and the Foundation, along with business leaders, educators, and many others to celebrate the SECU Foundation investment, which furthers the vision to build the 2nd Purpose Built Community in North Carolina.
The mission of Southeast Raleigh Promise is to end the cycle of intergenerational poverty within the neighborhoods that comprise the Rock Quarry Road Corridor in Raleigh. Plans for the new campus include a Wake County public elementary school, a YMCA, which is currently under construction, 120 units of affordable housing, and some commercial entities. The campus development is an initiative that encompasses all four of SECU Foundation’s core areas of focus – education, housing, healthcare, and human services. It further supports an earlier Foundation commitment in the area to SECU Advance Community Health, which provides health services to community members.
“Once fully developed, the Southeast Raleigh Promise campus will become a vibrant, sustainable community that will have the capacity to address the dramatic health and societal needs of families, including education and careers, decreased poverty rates, and improved neighborhood safety,” said Ms. Jolly. “We are honored to take part in an initiative that has such a strong commitment from community leaders who share a common goal and vision – to enhance the quality of life for children, adults, and families in Southeast Raleigh.”
“Southeast Raleigh Promise is incredibly grateful for this investment from the SECU Foundation to help end the cycle of intergenerational poverty in Southeast Raleigh,” remarked Kia Baker, Executive Director of Southeast Raleigh Promise. “Because of SECU Foundation’s long-standing and dedicated service in our community, we look forward to working together to improve the lives of all residents within the Rock Quarry Road Corridor.”
McKinley Wooten, Jr.-SECU Foundation Board; Jon Mills-Southeast Raleigh Promise Board; Shirley Bell-SECU Foundation Board; Maria Spaulding and Courtney Crowder-Southeast Raleigh Promise Board. Back row L to R: Mike Lord-SECU President/CEO; Cynthia Jolly-SECU Foundation Board Chair; Jim Johnson-SECU Foundation Board; Anna Neal Blanchard and Thomas Bradshaw, Jr.-Southeast Raleigh Promise Board; Kia Baker-Southeast Raleigh Promise Executive Director; Asa Fleming-Southeast Raleigh Promise Board; and Jama Campbell-SECU Foundation Executive Director.
