The Interactive Resource Center - Greensboro, North Carolina

Aries K.

Great resource for the homeless community. You can receive your mail. And the have showers and do laundry if you need to have it done. They also provide snacks and any service help you need

Dane J. (.

My video is a conversation with a worker:

The middle is for the homeless to sleep (on the floor). They just moved the tables out of the way. The rest is either warehouse, office, or for OTHER PROJECTS. 75% of the place NOT a direct support of the homeless.

Also, There is one very small shelter outside. It's about the size of a bus stop.
The rest of the parking lot is marked for cars. Another fumble. Most homeless people, especially the ones that go there, don't have cars. You see the parking lot full of people, clustered in all areas.

Recently, The director decided that they were better suited as a day center. It seems the city and the center had some back and forth.

I didn't read anything about helping the homeless, specifically. It was about how to run the Center and money.

I would STRONGLY suggest The center and the city take this advice:

1. Know that in homelessness, we don't care about back-end deals and who's right or wrong. We need this place to provide shelter, peace of mind, and the Promise of Hope (to be) delivered.
Just like you said in your campaigns.

2. Reopen the center as a shelter.

3. Get rid of the warehouse. The mayor and the director can call any or ALL businesses and ask for space for those things.

UNCG, Moses cone, any abandoned building etc can help provide an area for warehousing.
Items can be moved around by volunteers and donated cars from good companies like LKQ and the city itself picks up plenty of cars.

4. Get rid of the offices. If a person wants to work on behalf of the homeless there's no reason they can't utilize the center desk and/or sit with their customers at tables they provided. If that's not okay they can do a hybrid and work from home and then come in and sit with the customers that they are supposed to be helping.

5. The middle area can be made for communing for those who are not ready to go to sleep immediately. The warehouse and other rooms should be made as sleeping areas. Assume all areas for these people, then you (managers) can have whats left over.

6. Provide security! Police officers are patrolling all the time. Find a way to ask they stop by every so often as a Check Point before they return the station.
And provide private security during the other times. Possibly, vet some volunteers!
Keep the parking lot clear of the same old clowns! !... out there threatening people and trying to claim the parking lot. They are not helping these dear people.

7. Stop trying to do other projects. The IRC only needed be one function: to Shelter the Homeless. Provide some internet and safekeeping for the people. Food, books and church is already available nearby.

8. Provide Inspiration. in a way that all can hear a message. A message of Hope; a message of inspiration; a message that encourages each person to strive for something more.
Does not have to be a preacher, doesn't have to be a therapist. But every night as much as possible have someone speaking to the group before lockdown. If they don't want to hear the message they're free to go. That person ain't ready. 30 minutes of You can be MORE. And I will add... You should be more for all you been through.
For all the miles you walked
For all the go aways you got
Your very own foolishness
And your best friend's too
For everything you thought you would have

This place needs to be the place you said you could be... It is best suited as exactly what it was.... Shelter the Homeless.

Graham G.

There was a gang that was planning on attacking me. I’m gay & have a disability. If it wasn’t for my family to help me get a hotel. I’d be killed by now. They let me use my own bathroom. But they weren’t willing to help me with having my own space to sit. The social worker wasn’t even willing to give me the right resources to help me. Very un organized & very unsafe. They only have 1 officer guarding that building. They need several because of the stabbings & shootings. Will not be going back there for help

Tanya P.

Not a good experience. Only a few of the entire staff were decent. Saw them yelling at the clients. No compassion...

Michael C.

Friendly people helping the community. Great place to volunteer and help out your community.

Erica L.

It's always sad to see how many are homeless in Greensboro let alone the World.....this spot is always a great place to just stop to help the homeless with material handouts.........If your getting rid of clothes, shoes or anything you think someone else could benefit from, stop by this place....We've stopped by several times including Easter weekend just to hand out Homemade bags of goodies and necessities to show them they are not forgotten.....They are always so appreciative and thankful for anything....some folks stop by with plates of food....others with prayer and other hope centered help.....It always feels good to do good....God Bless ❤️

Umi P.

For anyone wondering, this is what I was told by a staff member: The center closes daily at 3:00 PM and reopens at 6:30 PM. Case managers are the ones who offer services related to housing and counseling and their availability begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 12:30 PM.

Imperia B.

I am here giving very high accolade to a few staff that do their job in a righteous way and that deserves all acknowledgment. Mister Marcus , Miss Verlinda
Thank you all so much for your help . Blessings