Serious discussions about establishing a day center in Greensboro – one of the strategies outlined in the Guilford County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness – began in early 2008 when Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small convened a task force that included government officials, homeless people, representatives of faith communities, social service agencies, and concerned citizens. In November 2008 the task force decided to open an interim day center called the Interactive Resource Center at Bessemer United Methodist Church to help people through the hard winter of 2008-2009.

In March 2009 the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro announced the gift from the Richard Strasser family of a 22,000-square-foot building at 407 E. Washington Street to house a day center for homeless people. The task force decided to keep the IRC going in its current location until the new building was ready—projected to be sometime in mid-2010.

In August 2009 the Interactive Resource Center received independent tax status. The IRC is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization.

From the beginning we have taken a peer-based approach, with much of the planning led by people who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness. Many of our volunteers first came to the IRC looking for services and have stayed to help others. As we say every day in our morning meeting: “This is the Interactive Resource Center. Your best resource is each other.”

Since the IRC opened in January 2009 we have served close to 1,000 individual people.

What we do:

• Social work interns from A&T and UNCG work one-on-one four days a week to help guests connect with services and remove barriers to their self-sufficiency.
• A nurse is available three mornings a week for blood pressure screenings, blood sugar testing, counseling and referrals to other health care resources.
• A bag lunch, provided by community churches and organizations, is served daily.
• Shower and laundry are available daily on a first-come first-served basis.
• After an intake and assessment, guests can receive referrals to local agencies for food, clothing, furniture and financial assistance.
• Volunteers in the computer lab can help with basic computer skills, resume writing and online applications. In a typical week two to four guests find permanent employment through our employment assistance program.

Board of Directors

• Skip MacMillan, Chair: former board chair, Greensboro Urban Ministry
• Fred Werstlein, Vice-Chair: volunteer, The Barnabas Network
• Cameron Cooke: Attorney; former Greensboro City Council member; former chair, Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
• Teresa Hicks: Trailways Housing
• Gary Paul Kane: Consultant, Gate City Company, a subsidiary of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
• Jerome Lewis: Carpenter; homeless advocate
• Lois McManus: Former Greensboro City Council member; former chair, Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging; former president, National Association of Meal Programs (Meals on Wheels)
• Bob Newton: Treasurer; former president, Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation; chair, Day Center Advisory Board.
• Mildred Surgeon: Community volunteer
• Liz Seymour, ex-officio: Director, Interactive Resource Center
• Nick Scandale, ex-officio: Pastor, Bessemer United Methodist Church