Greenville Community Shelter

Greenville Community Shelter (GCS) opened in 1987 with a mission to serve the homeless and those at risk of homelessness by providing safe housing. At the same time, GCS helps clients develop a long-term plan that leads to self-sufficiency. 

Last year, GCS, formerly known as Community Crossroads Center, expanded its campus to the former Agnes Fullilove School site. The 13,700-square-foot facility houses a clinic and a resource center offering healthcare, job training, and community services. This growth marks a major milestone in the shelter’s mission. 

“The new facility helps Greenville Community Shelter respond to emerging needs and continue to provide hope and stability to people experiencing homelessness. While at the shelter, residents have access to healthcare, case management, and referrals to agencies that can help meet their needs,” says Charles Young, GCS executive director. 

The new family wing located in the old administration building will increase the number of individuals and families that GCS can serve. “This has been a dream of ours — our board, our staff, many people in the community — for 10 years, and it finally came true,” Charles says. Renovations to the old building were completed in February. 

A clothing initiative is now possible with the new space. Shelter residents can also meet with Veterans Services, Pitt County Department of Social Services, and Access East, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive care management to at-risk populations. Pitt Community College provides job readiness training, and there is space for other agencies to have an office for their services.

Towne family members Katrina Rheinfrank, member service specialist, and Allen Clayton, senior vice president and commercial banker, delivered sandwiches and other tempting treats to the Greenville Community Shelter on Day of Caring.  

The Greenville Community Shelter Clinic is a free medical clinic run by medical students at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. The clinic offers basic medical services and referrals to both shelter residents and community residents.   

GCS relies on volunteers and recently was helped by the TowneBank Greenville family during the annual Day of Caring. “We prepared lunch bags for guests who leave the shelter during the day and would otherwise go without food,” says Katrina Rheinfrank, member service specialist, who coordinated the Day of Caring project. “Day of Caring was a wonderful way to engage both our retail branch team and our commercial lending group. In total, 21 team members participated.” 

“We had supplies that included peanut butter, bread, apples, chips, water, oranges, and granola bars,” Katrina continues. “Branch manager Glenn Marsh led the assembly line to make sandwiches, then the group filled each bag. The next morning, Allen Clayton, senior vice president and commercial banker, helped me deliver 70 bags to the shelter. The staff and guests were grateful. It was a meaningful experience for our team and a great way to give back to our community.” 

TowneBank is honored to make a multi-year contribution to GCS to fund the new Resource Center. “We are so thankful to TowneBank for their generosity and grateful to have them as our banking partner in Greenville,” says Charles. “Allen Clayton knows us, communicates with us, and wants us to succeed.”  

To learn more about GCS and volunteer opportunities, visit GreenvilleCommunityShelter.org.