A Place of Promise & Opportunity
Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership, Progress, and Place
This anniversary marks more than a milestone. It marks a decade of laying foundations, restoring trust, and building pathways to prosperity.
Why This Work Matters
Southeast Raleigh is one of Raleigh's most historically rich and culturally significant communities.
Today, rapid growth and rising costs threaten legacy residents and long-standing neighborhoods.
2011
Exploration begins to expand YMCA services in Southeast Raleigh
2015
Southeast Raleigh Promise formed as a community quarterback in partnership with YMCA of the Triangle
2016
Designated Raleigh/Wake County's first Purpose Built Community and 16th nationally
2017
Established as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit
2018
Construction begins on the Beacon Site
2019
Beacon Ridge Apartments open, and COVID-19 disproportionately impacts communities of color
2022
$4.5M awarded by City of Raleigh and Wake County to develop 25 affordable rental homes
2024
Beacon Point opens with nonprofit offices and commercial tenants
Self-Help Credit Union, Advance CarePlex, and UNC Health open
Beacon Site development completed
2026
Groundbreaking for our first independent affordable housing development
From idea to infrastructure. From planning to presence. From vision to visible change.
Byanka
Beacon Ridge Resident
Byanka was one of the first families
to move into Beacon Ridge Apartments in 2020 — drawn by proximity to Southeast Raleigh Elementary and the sense of possibility the campus offered.
Since settling in, she has:
→ Attended homebuyer workshops and credit coaching through Self-Help Credit Union and DHIC
→ Built a strong neighborhood network through
events like National Night Out
→ Watched her daughter Amiyah thrive through Club ROAR, Girls Room, and YMCA afterschool programs
"I learned what I need to do and how to do it. Soon I'll be on my journey to homeownership."
Crystal
Small Business Owner,
Quizine Orleans
Crystal spent years building a reputation for Cajun hospitality in Raleigh — from bartending at a luxury hotel to managing food and beverage operations. Turning that passion into a sustainable business took more than talent. It took support.
After being furloughed during the pandemic, she launched New Orleans-inspired Sunday dinners from her kitchen. That grew into Quizine Orleans — and then Cafe Orleans at the Beacon Site campus, supported by partner Self-Help
Through the Rock Quarry Road Corridor Small Business Alliance, she has:
→ Connected with other entrepreneurs
navigating similar challenges
→ Accessed resources around funding
and scaling operations
→ Found a network where shared experience
translates into real support
"I didn't realize how many people were going through the same things I was. Now, I feel supported."
The Next Decade
Starts With You
Ten years ago, Southeast Raleigh Promise was an idea.
Today, it is a vital part of the community, and this work requires a sustained investment. As Southeast Raleigh continues to grow, the need to preserve affordability, expand educational pathways, and strengthen economic mobility has never been more urgent.
Join the Circle of Promise
The Circle of Promise is a network of supporters committed to advancing resident-centered solutions and collective impact.
When you give, you invest in:
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- → Affordable housing development
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- → Education pathways from cradle to career
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- → Wealth-building and economic mobility
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- → Community health and wellbeing
Join us as we build the next 10 years of being
A Place of Promise + Opportunity.
