Strengthening Our Community Through Collective Support

Families across Craven County are navigating tight budgets, a rising cost of living, and the constant uncertainty of what the next political decision might mean for LGBTQIA+ rights. At the same time, nonprofits like ours are managing their own pressures to ensure compliance, safeguard our 501(c)(3) status, and maintain the operational capacity required to serve this community effectively. It’s tough out there. I wish we had the budget for a relief fund, but our organization isn’t there yet.

In times like these, we cannot afford to isolate ourselves. We must double down on mutual support, resource-sharing, and community-driven resilience. When we step away from our community, we become easier to divide, easier to discourage, and easier to break apart. We need each other now, more than ever. Many of our local business partners are hosting our food drive boxes (visit our Facebook page for more information), and our resources list is always growing.

New Bern Pride has been built on a foundation of collaboration and volunteering. Now is the moment to take hold of that spirit in a more intentional way. Whether it is sharing meals, trading skills, offering rides, childcare for a friend, or helping someone navigate a bureaucratic system, these micro acts collectively drive macro impact. This is how communities stay viable when external conditions become volatile. You will probably be seeing more posts asking for assistance on the various New Bern LGBTQIA+ Facebook pages—please seriously consider if you can do something to help out. 

We need every member of our community to take action. If you have a skill, offer it. If you have a need, voice it. If you have the bandwidth to check in on someone who might be struggling, do it. This is how we combat those outside pressures that make us want to give up. We have a beautiful, vibrant community and we can get through this. 

YOU are New Bern Pride.