Nearly 100 Volunteers Strengthen Homes in Southeast Raleigh
On September 16, Southeast Raleigh Promise and Wells Fargo hosted the 5th Annual Southeast Raleigh Home Preservation Volunteer Event, bringing nearly 100 volunteers together across Southeast Raleigh for a day of hands-on service and community connection.
Continuing a collaborative effort to preserve legacy neighborhoods, support affordable housing and revitalize community spaces, Habitat for Humanity Greater Raleigh, Partners for Environmental Justice and the City of Raleigh Parks Department joined as community partners for the event.
The event opened with remarks from Southeast Raleigh Promise CEO Yvette Holmes and Vice Chair Ben Young, followed by Mayor Janet Cowell, Raleigh City Councilor Corey Branch, and Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters. Remarks also were shared by Wells Fargo Regional Executive Chad Gregory, and Habitat Greater Raleigh CEO Patricia Burch. We also were honored to be joined by other community and education leaders, including Wake County Commissioner Chair Don Mial, and Wake County Public School System Area Superintendent Seydric Williams, who joined residents, volunteers and partners in supporting the day’s service projects and celebrating Southeast Raleigh.
Volunteers from the community and Wells Fargo repaired and updated homes, helped build a new Habitat home, created a mural at historic Roberts Park, constructed a wall at the Habitat warehouse and participated in wetlands cleanup efforts.
The day was about more than hands-on service. Beyond the work itself, it was also an opportunity to deepen understanding of Southeast Raleigh and strengthen connections across generations.
Connecting Hands-on Service to Southeast Raleigh’s Story
As volunteers traveled to their project sites, guided tours introduced them to the history, culture and legacy of Southeast Raleigh, including the people, pioneers and community assets that have helped build and define the community.
The event also connected generations. Our Southeast Raleigh Promise Legacy Resident Ambassadors spent the day alongside students from Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School (SERMHS) in an intergenerational activity to create Raleigh Ready, an emergency preparedness comic book for the City of Raleigh.
Guided by artist Wolly McNair, residents and students shared stories, knowledge and practical information across generations, informing a resource focused on emergency preparedness, while strengthening generational connections.
This year’s five-year partnership milestone of the annual Home Preservation Volunteer Event also marks as many years of community impact for community partners.
Since 2022, hundreds of volunteers have helped:
- Improve 13 homes across seven neighborhoods
- Beautify parks and community spaces
- Install 72 smoke detectors in 24 homes
- Support a new Habitat home builds
- Participate in wetlands and stream cleanup efforts
Thank you to every volunteer, resident, student, community leader and partner who helped make this year’s event possible. Together, we continue to Build Our Community – Together.
Celebrating Community Impact
Southeast Raleigh Promise also recognized community leaders and organizations whose work helps preserve the area’s history and culture and advances the organization’s four areas of focus: cradle ton career education, economic vitality, affordable housing, and health and community wellness. Fittingly, an additional award honored community history and cultural preservation.
The 2026 honorees:
- Community History & Culture Preservation
- Fourth Ward Historic Neighborhood Association – President Rosa Rand
- Cradle to Career Education Champions
- Southeast Raleigh Elementary School – Principal Lamar Hill
- Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School – Principal George Harden
- Economic Vitality Trailblazer
- Nexus@1214 – Anjail Muhammad
- Housing & Community Wellness Stewardship
- Men of Southeast Raleigh – Anthony Pope
These recognitions highlight the many ways residents, schools, businesses and community organizations contribute to a stronger Southeast Raleigh, helping us build our community – together!
