Coastal Center for Hope and Healing reports rising demand, announces donated transitional home

Donnie Ricks, president of the Coastal Center for Hope and Healing board, presented statistics to the Craven County Board of Commissioners on services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and announced a donated, move-in-ready house that will serve as transitional housing.

Ricks said the center handled a high volume of calls and services in fiscal year 2024–25: he reported crisis-line and counseling totals, court advocacy contacts, and shelter nights (transcript figures contain transcription artifacts; see clarifying details). He said the donated house, located in the New Bern area, will be called "Courtney's Home for Hope" and that the organization is soliciting additional grants and donations to sustain the transitional program.

Amanda (Delgado), who responded to commissioners’ questions, said the donated home has two bedrooms, that children can stay with their non-offending parent, and that survivors can spend up to three months in the emergency shelter and an additional three months in transitional housing. She said the organization hopes to open the home by April.

Ricks framed the local investment as lifesaving and emphasized the center’s long history: "we've been in this county for more than 40 years," he said, and thanked county funders and partners including the sheriff's department and local library system.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked operational questions about service timelines and capacity. The board did not take a formal funding vote during the presentation.