No matter what challenges our community members are facing, our first priority is helping to end homelessness. Our staff, partners and volunteers all share this commitment. When you visit the IRC, you’ll see just how powerful it is when people from all backgrounds come together toward the common goal of protecting this basic human right. This is so important, especially since most people are surprised by the realities of homelessness in our community. Learn more.

The Interactive Resource Center is Guilford County’s only day resource center for people currently facing, experiencing or coming out of homelessness. We use a whole-person approach to address all aspects of the homeless experience. This means we provide everything from fundamental services (showers, laundry, or a mailing address for example) to medical and mental health care, case management and employment services. We meet our guests where they are, gather the resources they need to gain shelter and help them create a new path forward.

The IRC is on a mission to end homelessness. Every step of the way, we are driven by these essential beliefs and values:

We don’t judge; we build.
We greet everyone who walks into our facility as a fellow human being and offer basic human dignities like a shower, clean clothes or a cup of coffee. We’re able to build a trusting and transformational community because we see our guests as we see ourselves and we work alongside them.

We value lived experience.
The majority of our staff has personal connections to poverty and homelessness. We understand the challenges and work to eliminate barriers to service. Because we value lived experience, community members experiencing homelessness are not only welcome here; their perspectives, abilities and contributions are valued.

We engage our guests in their own progress.
We’ve experienced firsthand that one is more apt to make progress when they have the support to determine for themselves how to move forward. That’s why we practice self-determination — empowering our guests to determine what’s best for their own lives and what success means to them.

We don’t duplicate. We leverage.
People and organizations all over Guilford County are doing great work. We work in tandem with partners to better reach the people we serve. Rather than duplicate services, we combine our strengths to collaborate and achieve more together.

Lisa Brown – Business Analysis, Lincoln Financial

Neal Dorman – Internal Audit Manager, Tanger

Heidi Fleshman – VP, Americanbio

Jim King – Owner, Austin Financial Management

Frank Moore – Director, First Lutheran Church

Fran Pearson – Project Coordinator, Congregational Social Work Educational Initiative

Jen Strasser – MSW

Rachel Summerlee – Community Member

Kaye Ward – Director of Product Development, Lincoln Financial

Goldie F. Wells – Founder, Citizens for Economic and Environmental Injustice