News + updates from ZSR

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** A NOTE FROM JOY
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Greetings,

As 2024 comes to a close, I am reflecting on what brought me joy and hope this year.

There was plenty that took a toll: a bitter election, collective angst about our country’s future, a devastating hurricane. I won’t forget any of those, and their repercussions continue.

Yet, amidst those difficulties were stories of extraordinary North Carolinians dedicated to building a better future for our state:
* From the mountains to the coast, local nonprofits served their communities ([link removed]) , from providing fresh, local food to families to helping formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet.
* After Helene, funders and nonprofits leapt into action ([link removed]) to support our neighbors in the west and make sure folks had food, water, access to information and other necessities. This work will continue in 2025 and beyond.
* ZSR’s State-Level Systemic Change ([link removed]) grant partners continued their long-term work to ensure all North Carolinians have clean air and water, great public schools, fair and decent work, and a government that represents the people and responds to their concerns. \
* Five committed NC nonprofit leaders took (or are about to take!) well-earned sabbaticals ([link removed]) to rest, heal, travel and reconnect with family and friends. This rest and rejuvenation is critical to our shared mission to build a better NC.

These stories fill me with hope and remind me that, no matter what 2025 brings, people across North Carolina will continue to take care of one another and stand up for what’s right.

Together, let’s find ways to be vessels of hope and joy this holiday season and in the New Year.

All For NC,

Joy Vermillion Heinsohn

ZSR Executive Director


** GET INSPIRED
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Stories of hope and action

from our partners across NC

In October, kayakers in western NC’s Nolichucky River Gorge discovered that CSX, a railway company whose railroad was damaged during Hurricane Helene, was mining the riverbed for rock to rebuild the track. In response, American Rivers and American Whitewater, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, took legal action. ([link removed]) Now, CSX has been ordered to stop harmful mining ([link removed]) and follow environmental laws as it rebuilds railroads in the Gorge.

For many North Carolinians, expunging criminal records is a critical step toward building a better future, but navigating the process can be overwhelming. Southern Coalition for Social Justice recently released an updated Clean Slate Toolkit ([link removed]) to make the process easier.

After Hurricane Helene, Hispanic residents, who make up 8.3% of the population ([link removed]) in the 29 counties most affected by Helene, have had to navigate unique challenges in accessing aid, from language barriers to immigration status to misinformation. Several nonprofit organizations have stepped up to help ([link removed]) , including Hispanic Federation, NC Counts Coalition and Southern Vision Alliance (article in Spanish).

As historically Black neighborhoods in Chapel Hill and Carrboro face mounting pressure from developers, the Marian Cheek Jackson Center is dedicated to preserving the history and future of these neighborhoods and ensuring long-term residents can stay. This WUNC story ([link removed]) profiles the organization’s efforts.


** WHAT’S NEW WITH ZSR?
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Community Progress Fund grants help organizations in rural NC build on existing momentum to improve their local communities. The application is open through Thursday, January 30, at 12pm ET. Learn more ([link removed]) .

ZSR has a new brand and website ([link removed]) ! Our new look reaffirms our commitment to partnering with the extraordinary people of North Carolina to build a just, inclusive and sustainable state for all. Let us know what you think – we'd love to hear from you!

PBS North Carolina released a beautiful short documentary ([link removed]) about the City of Washington’s new mural, Viva La Vida, which was created as part of ZSR’s Inclusive Public Art Initiative.

Applications for the Nonprofit Internship Program (NPIP) are open ([link removed]-(1)/NPIP-Nonprofit-Internship-Program/Intern-Need-To-Knows.html) ! This summer, NPIP will provide dozens of paid nonprofit internships for Pell grant-eligible college students in NC. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 3.

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