NC Rural Center

Dogwood Health Trust has released a Hurricane Helene playbook that captures not only what occurred and how DHT responded, but also what they learned along the way.

The playbook includes case studies, community stories, action steps, and a disaster readiness and response checklist. It's a resource designed to assist funders and other organizations as they support their communities both now and in the future.

You can read the full playbook here: dogwoodhealthtrust.org/hurricane-helene

Education NC shared an excerpt from N.C. Community College System President Jeff Cox's May 15 address to the State Board of Community Colleges. The address marked the last time Cox would speak to the board as system president ahead of his upcoming retirement on June 30.

In his remarks, Cox discussed both what he calls the system's "secret sauce" — its governance structure — and some of the opportunities that the system could benefit from undertaking in the future.

Read the full piece: www.ednc.org/perspective-nc-community-college-system-president-jeff-cox-shares-parting-advice

Perspective | NC Community College System President Jeff Cox shares parting advice Jeff Cox, the outgoing president of the N.C. Community College System, shared parting advice during his last address to the State Board.

When translated from Latin, Transylvania means beyond or through the trees. And at work currently in North Carolina’s Transylvania County is Yvette Brooks, the founder of the Brevard nonprofit Through the Trees, which aims to help bridge the digital divide.

Before Through the Trees, Yvette was working at a nonprofit helping victims of domestic violence access resources like food, housing, and legal aid. Then, the pandemic hit in 2020. "The phones stopped ringing and people stopped coming in. But I know that money and the lack of it can be a big pressure cooker for stress, which can then also maybe potentially lead to more domestic violence and abuse," she says.

She also became worried that the lack of affordable internet in Transylvania County might impede people's access to important information, adding even more stress for families. So she began Through the Trees to help advocate for people who needed broadband access.

We spoke with Yvette to learn more about how Through the Trees has grown over the years to help other people in the region gain access to the internet: www.ncruralcenter.org/2026/06/through-the-trees

Morgan Talton, our Faith in Rural Communities team church engagement specialist and one of our Connect Church coaches, shared this recent update about one of our past Connect Church churches:

"Edenton United Methodist Church, a 2025 Connect Church congregation, is bringing together local partners to help address one of the community’s biggest needs: affordable housing.

Working alongside organizations including ECU Health Chowan Hospital, Wesley Community Development, Albemarle Area United Way, Inc, Chowan-Perquimans Habitat for Humanity, Carolina Rebuilding Ministry, and churches and volunteer teams from across Chowan County, Edenton UMC is helping repair homes for local residents, create workforce housing opportunities, and plan for future affordable housing that will support teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and families in the Edenton community.

Last month, one of these home repair projects reached an exciting milestone as Carolina Rebuilding Ministry and the Town of Edenton hosted a joyful home blessing celebration for a newly remodeled house that is almost ready to welcome its new residents home. What started as a need for critical repairs became a beautiful example of what can happen when volunteers, churches, organizations, and neighbors come together to serve their community."