Community-driven initiative moves from planning to implementation with October basketball event

EDENTON — What began as a community brainstorming session in July has evolved into concrete action, with Edenton Baptist Church announcing its first youth-focused event as part of an ongoing initiative to address local needs.

The church’s Helping Communities Thrive committee will host Slam Dunk Sunday on Oct. 12 from 4:30-7 p.m., featuring pickup basketball games, food, and fellowship activities in the church’s gym and fellowship hall.

The event represents the culmination of months of community engagement that started with the Loving Edenton gathering on July 19, where approximately 45 residents, community leaders, and activists came together to brainstorm solutions to local challenges.

Building on Existing Foundations

The Oct. 12 event will expand an existing program involving local young men who regularly play basketball in the church’s gym. The committee plans to invite these players’ families to participate, creating a broader community gathering.

“We are willing to make our gym and fellowship hall available to provide area youth with a safe place to have some fun while also providing positive adult interactions,” the committee stated in their announcement.

The initiative reflects the sentiment expressed during July’s gathering, where one resident remarked, “The solutions are here in this room. We just need the will and the resources to make them real.”

Other Initiatives Moving Forward

While youth programming takes the lead, the other identified needs haven’t been forgotten. Community members interested in developing a community garden can contact Tyler Neitzey at t.neitzey21@gmail.com. Those focused on affordable housing can reach out to Sheila Evans at sevans2018@gmail.com.

The original July gathering was organized around determining how a $3,000 grant could best address local needs, but the initiative has grown beyond funding constraints to focus on community collaboration and sustainable solutions.

From Survey to Solutions

The July meeting was built around responses from 27 community surveys that identified key areas of need, including mental health services expansion, youth activities, tutoring programs, support for single parents, and the development of a community garden to reduce food insecurity.

Three primary focus areas emerged from those discussions: emergency and affordable housing, a community garden, and student and youth needs. After extensive research and discussion, the committee chose to tackle youth programming first.

Community-Wide Collaboration

The committee emphasized that their goal extends beyond serving just church members. “Our goal is to bring together members of the community for the benefit of all, not just members of Edenton Baptist Church,” they stated. “We believe that if we band together, we can make a difference.”

The committee hopes the success of Slam Dunk Sunday will lead to a regularly scheduled youth program and inspire other area churches and organizations to join the effort.

Organizations and individuals interested in supporting or participating in the youth programming initiative are encouraged to reach out to the committee as they work to build what they hope will become a model for community-driven solutions throughout Chowan County.