Gamma Beta Phi Donates $2000 To Homeless Shelter for Women

Published: Saturday, June 1st, 2019 @ 7:59 am
By: Beaufort County Community College ( More Entries )

Press Release:

WASHINGTON, N.C.-Open Door Community Center started serving homeless women and children in Beaufort County in January of 2019 and the honor society at Beaufort County Community College has already stepped in to help the organization. On April 18, Gamma Beta Phi delivered a check for $2000 to leaders of the organization.

Open Door Community Center is the product of Beaufort County residents who came together to address an unmet need in the community. According to the group, each year almost 100 women and children in Beaufort County are homeless. Either they find themselves completely without shelter of any kind or they live temporarily with neighbors or extended family, frequently moving from one place to another, sleeping on whatever space is available. Sometimes, they wind up sleeping in their cars. The new shelter can accommodate ten people.

(left to right) Sally Love, Open Door board member; Michele Mayo, Open Door board president; Darian Stoica, Gamma Beta Phi president; Dr. Keith Lyon, GBP faculty advisor; Marcia Norwood, Open Door executive director; Lisa Hill, BCCC dean of Arts & Sciences; and Dr. Dave Loope, BCCC president.

    "Homelessness can be an invisible issue," said Darian Stoica, president of Gamma Beta Phi and admissions and recruitment assistant at BCCC. "There could even be students at the college whose circumstances change, and they become homeless. This could trigger a whole set of issues, including dropping out of college, losing a job, or pulling their children out of school. Open Door Community Center can make sure that one issue doesn't end up unraveling these women's entire life."

    Gamma Beta Phi sold New Orleans-style jambalaya on March 13 to raise funds for the group. Last year, the group raised $1343 for the Zion's Men's Shelter and Kitchen, helping the organization to rebuild after Hurricane Florence flooded its building.

    In the past, Gamma Beta Phi has raised funds for the Beaufort County Humane Society, Pamlico Rose Institute for Sustainable Culture, and Ruth's House. The group has also volunteered at the Food Bank of the Albemarle, conducted regular roadside cleanups on Highway 264, and raised the initial donation for the Dr. Nancy Alford Scholarship.

    The group is led by Darian Stoica, with Leah Beth Warren serving as vice-president, Madison Bunting as secretary, and Brianna Waters as treasurer. Dr. Keith Lyon serves as faculty advisor for Gamma Beta Phi.

    Earlier this year, the group inducted 64 new members.