At Kinston Teens, every year marks a new chapter in our journey to empower young people, create positive change, and build a stronger community. As we step into the dawn of 2024, we are excited to announce a significant development in our mission: the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub.

The East Kinston Neighborhood Hub will serve as the epicenter of our community development and outreach initiatives. Nestled in the heart of East Kinston, this dynamic space will be the driving force behind our efforts to improve the quality of life for residents and create a thriving, resilient neighborhood. Formerly called the Kinston Teens Neighborhood Hub, we envision the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub being a catalyst for positive development and community building in our beloved neighborhood. 

So, what's in the pipeline for the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub?

1. Community Engagement and Empowerment: Our commitment to East Kinston runs deep. The Hub will act as a catalyst for change, offering residents access to vital resources, workshops, and programs that address the neighborhood's unique needs. From food security to disaster preparedness, we aim to equip our community with the tools they need to thrive.

2. Site Plan and Groundbreaking: We're making steady progress toward realizing our vision. In 2024, we're planning to complete the site plan for the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub and host a groundbreaking ceremony. This milestone event will mark the beginning of an exciting journey toward a brighter future for our community.

3. Building Momentum through Programming & Activities: We will host a number of events, programs and activities this year specifically under the umbrella of East Kinston Neighborhood Hub. Our goal is for these activities to give a glimpse of what will be possible at our future facility, while not taking away from the youth-centered events and programming Kinston Teens specializes in.

The East Kinston Neighborhood Hub will encompass both the physical hub facility (currently, our house at 818 Tower Hill Rd, and in the future, our new building), as well as the community programs we operate for East Kinston. These initiatives will be guided by our hub volunteers, advisory committee, feedback received through our monthly East Kinston Community Meetings, and the Equitable Development Plan we’re currently creating. You can find more about our efforts to enhance our community and build out the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub at www.EastKinston.org.

What about Kinston Teens?

While the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub will take the lead on our community development efforts, Kinston Teens will deepen its dedication to empowering young people. Our plans for 2024 are brimming with exciting opportunities:

1. This year, we're raising funds to hire a full-time Youth Programs Coordinator who will play a crucial role in facilitating our youth programs, strengthening partnerships with local schools and youth-serving organizations, and managing our youth volunteer initiatives. Stay tuned to see the full job description and application once available!

2. We're bringing back our Teen Town Hall series, where young people have a direct line to their elected officials and political candidates. This platform empowers them to ask questions, share concerns, and hold leaders accountable.

3. After a pause due to the pandemic, we're thrilled to revive our Annual Youth Leadership Summit. This event has a rich history of bringing national youth empowerment leaders to eastern North Carolina, offering local students invaluable training and skills-building opportunities.

4. We're sponsoring two college campus field trips for local students, providing them with a glimpse of higher education and inspiring them to dream big.

In short, the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub and Kinston Teens will be working in tandem, each with its unique focus, to create a better future for our community. Together, we're forging a path of empowerment, resilience, and opportunity like never before for Kinston, Lenoir County, and North Carolina.

Join us in this new chapter as we continue to build a brighter, more vibrant community for all. Stay tuned for updates, events, and opportunities to get involved. The journey is just beginning, and we can't wait to see where it takes us in 2024 and beyond.

Happy New Year!