About The Harrelson Center
We help nonprofits operate more efficiently and better utilize
their funding within our synergistic community and campus.
Our Mission
To advance, connect, and empower an integrated humanitarian nonprofit community
Making a BIG Impact Since 2007
Our Vision
To be a safe, collaborative, and spiritual environment where humanitarian nonprofits thrive to powerfully impact our community
$621,000The collective amount we saved our partners in 2024!
$901,500Invested in 1,864 local families through Help Hub in 2024!
1,048People toured campus in 2024!Value of Partnership with the Harrelson Center
Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center Inc. is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation 501c3 (EIN 20-3598248) that supports and partners with other nonprofit organizations in the Wilmington community. The Center works with its partners to meet the needs of the community in areas such as safe and affordable housing, education, employment, health care and family support. The Center recognizes the critical needs of others and encourages, uplifts and assists them in rebuilding their lives through the services provided in the center.
The Center provides its nonprofit partners social and educational opportunities, marketing and promotions, volunteer recruitment and a place of collaboration for them to help those in need in our community. The center supports its partners with below-market rental rates that cover all utilities, parking and security. This synergistic environment allows all the nonprofits to operate more efficiently and better utilize their funding.
The “Lock Up” Will Now Unlock Hope
Prior to 2005, the Harrelson Center building served as the New Hanover County Law Enforcement Center. When the county built a new detention facility, next door neighbor First Baptist Church saw an opportunity to shift the property from a jail to a center for Christian missions and nonprofit organizations. With a generous contribution from First Baptist Church member Bobby Harrelson, the building was purchased and named in memory of his late wife, Jo Ann Carter Harrelson. It was Jo Ann’s dream to see the city block repurposed to meet needs and offer hope to our neighbors.
With inspired imagination and a belief that being mission-driven would fuel First Baptist Church well into the 21st Century, Reverend Dr. Mike Queen and Reverend Jim Everett, established the Harrelson Center as a centralized location where nonprofits were accessible and could serve the community.
Learn more about this philanthropist and his big heart in Crazy Like A Fox, Wilmington Magazine.
Our History
From The Lock-Up To Unlocking Hope
New Hanover County Law Enforcement Center is built across from the NHC Courthouse. The Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center (county jail) operated here until 2004.
First Baptist Church, with member Bobby Harrelson pledging $1M, purchases building for nonprofit organizations and Christian humanitarian missions to be named after Bobby’s late wife, Jo Ann Carter Harrelson.
Initial renovations are made and nonprofit partners begin moving into the 30,000 sq. ft. main building. The 30,000 sq. ft. jail tower remains unoccupied.
Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center is incorporated as 501(c)3.
The Harrelson Center building is dedicated.
First phase of Unlock Hope capital campaign is launched, allowing expansion into a newly renovated 4th floor and Help Hub.
Unlock Hope Phase 1 campaign goal is met with loan paid well ahead of schedule.
The Harrelson Center reaches full capacity; interior demolition of jail cells begins for further campus expansion.
Demolition and renovation of Market St courtyard walls and interior reconstruction of jail tower proceeds. South State Bank extends a loan to sustain construction momentum.
Vicki Dull Annex opens in August with Plaza on Princess and two unfinished floors for nonprofit partner suites.
Hope sculpture is dedicated, in memory of Jo Ann and in honor of Bobby Harrelson.
Legal Aid and Foster Pantry are first partners to move into newly renovated suites in the Vicki Dull Annex.
Renovation to the remaining office suites is completed with Community Justice Center filling remaining on-campus capacity.
Our Nonprofit Partners
The Harrelson Center provides centralized humanitarian services to the Cape Fear Region. Together, with over 40 nonprofit partners both on our campus and throughout the community, we make a measurable impact in the lives of community members.
Read MoreMeet The Staff
Meade Horton Van Pelt
Executive Director
Energetic. Visionary. Undaunted.
“If the risk is fully aligned with your purpose and mission, then it is worth considering.” -Peter Diamandis
Lindsay Prickett
Director of Operations
Loyal. Thoughtful. Collaborator.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou
Sonja Mcfarland
Help Hub Director
Practical. Dependable. Patient.
“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” Albert Schweitzer
Nikki McLaurin
Housing Navigator
Inquisitive. Resourceful. Imaginative.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” -Harriet Tubman
Anthony Parker
Finance Manager
Loyal. Optimistic. Trustworthy.
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” –Maya Angelou
Stuart Giordano
Building & Maintenance Superintendent
Loyal. Soulful. Passionate.
“You’re only here for a visit, make it count.” -Artie Giordano
Christy Aley
Community Outreach Coordinator
Spirited. Genuine. Empathetic.
“When joy is a habit, love is a reflex.” -Bob Goff
Michelle Bethea
Operations Assistant
Caring. Funny. Real.
“God has never failed me yet, though He scared me a few times!” -Dr. Barbara M. Amos
Alisa Brightman
Help Hub Assistant
Present. Accepting. Brave.
“Be a little kinder than you have to.”
Preston Bunch
Welcome Center Receptionist
Dedicated. Resilient. Spiritual.
“Never make someone feel less-than.”
Margee Herring
Public Relations Director
Listen. Connect. Chocolate.
“You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough.”
Aaron Schnurbusch
Administrative Assistant
Patient. Calm. Dependable.
“No stumbling blocks.”
Haley Spell
Marketing Coordinator
Calm. Empathetic. Creative.
“Keep showing up.” -Des Linden
Board of Directors
Ken Hines
President
Retired, Financial Services
Jack Kilbourne
Vice-President
Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Co Commercial Realtors
Mark Steelman
Secretary
Retired, Human Resources
Susan Winstead
Treasurer
Bank of America
Jim Everette
Ex-Officio
First Baptist Church Wilmington
Bob Thornton
Retired, Government Manager
Randy Reeves
Wells Insurance
Barrett Owen
First Baptist Church Wilmington
Janet Nelson
Retired, Nonprofit Management
Mari Mckenzie
NHC Office of Diversity & Equity
Randy Ivey
Retired, Engineer
Cindy Hughes Anliker
Optum Health
Sharon Huffman
Retired, Attorney
Brad Hudson
Sound Harbor Wealth Partners
David Hill
Hilb Insurance Group
Shawn Evans
City of Wilmington
Randall Emerson Jr.
nCino, Inc.
Sabrina Dockery
Live Oak Bank
Erin Barajas
Novant Health
The Harrelson Center Honorary Board
On our 10th Anniversary in September 2015, we inducted the first 10 members to our Honorary Board. Together, they established The Harrelson Center Endowment, a fund of the NC Community Foundation, to provide a permanent and sustainable source of support for our work and mission.