The heart of a community is best felt and exhibited when individuals see a need in their community, take action, and create change. It's also helpful when the driving force behind the action is a spirited, can-do personality. We met up recently with Juanita J. Hunter-Young, over at the foundation for a behind-the-scenes tour. She is a passionate community leader who was eager to share the work being done by numerous individuals associated with White Oak Foundation. Perhaps you haven't heard of the work they are doing in the community?
There is a strong Apex connection for kids, seniors, and connecting individuals to services for food & medical attention. For example, some programs you might see on social media during the summer are our town's first responders being active with the summer camp program, and during the holidays providing a holiday to remember through the Christmas with a Cop program. As Juanita shared, "The impact of a community working together is more than dollars and cents, it's about long-standing, faithful care & support for one another in the community." True to their mission a multi-faceted organization of programs to "care for the total person."
This foundation is another sesquicentennial partner we've discovered through Apex connections that we encourage you to get to know.
Take a look at this 2022 Snapshot
Addressing Food Security by providing 310 Turkey Meals for families & seniors 4,047 food pantry households, 12,619 food pantry meals, 1.134 senior & homebound
Holiday gifts for 25 families, including 69 children
A HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency to help prevent foreclosure, provide rental counseling, and referrals to other agencies for assistance.
Education for seniors in avoiding scams, disaster & hurricane prep workshops
Senior Care- Friendship Cafe- with games, exercise, food, and engagement.
Health & Wellness programs with assistance targeted to dental, mammograms, blood donation
Scholarship programs for high school seniors seeking advanced degrees
Who is the foundation?
The White Oak Foundation started in 1998, under the support of the White Oak Baptist Missionary Church's congregation and pastoral leadership. Over the years, the White Oak Foundation has grown into a respected faith-based nonprofit located right in Apex, North Carolina. The foundation's main mission is to serve a diverse multicultural community in which there are varying levels of needs, socioeconomic statuses, educational attainment, employment statuses, and access to healthcare resources.
Who does the foundation assist?
The foundation seeks to help families and individuals in our community who have suffered from financial difficulties through its many charitable programs. The White Oak Foundation has played a huge role in saving family homes that have fallen into foreclosure around Wake County through their Housing Counseling Program which has directly saved over 540 homes from foreclosure since their formation. The foundation takes its support a step further by offering educational programs to home buyers and renters to ensure they are ready to face the ever-challenging housing market.
Their motto, appropriately, is "Caring For The Total Person" which is perfectly demonstrated through their philanthropists' efforts in hosting bi-monthly food bank distributions and tri-weekly hot meals for senior citizens. "Caring For The Total Person," can also be seen as the White Oak Foundation providing college scholarships for those seeking higher education, medical screenings, and even offering financial support by paying utility bills for families in financial distress.
All of these amazing efforts made by the White Oak Foundation have led to some outstanding accomplishments and benefits in our community. Including their Summer Education Enrichment Program, for kids 5-12, which works directly with the children in Wake County that had their educational experience interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. This program offers weekly field trips, hands-on learning, and of course, a lot of fun for the kids!
Here are some images from the previous camp.
What's new?
In November- December 2023 the church will be opening its doors to a new community daycare program providing access to childcare for those that struggle to find affordable, quality options.
Have you been following our previous stories? If not, we encourage you to read each of these previous posts to find out about community partners making a difference for Apex. Our last post shared about the work behind the organization Wheels4Hope.