“Once you become part of a group of this quality, you feel rooted and accompanied— and have a sense of belonging. Many of the members come from other countries. It is wonderful to have a shoulder to cry on and to grow together. We cultivate ourselves as people and artists; we share ideas and ask each other for their opinion. This support was especially important during the pandemic. We might not see each other in person or touch each other, but we know that on the other side of the phone or screen there is someone who can listen to us. This gives us the chance not to be isolated. We might be physically isolated right now, but there is no need for us to be emotionally isolated.”

“Many don’t get from their own families the support that SBCC has given. SBCC makes us feel like we have family, with no worry that we don’t share the same blood or last name. They help us feel that we are not alone. I had fallen into depression. Their support of my daughter and me gave me the strength and courage to keep fighting.”

“Many other organizations just do their hours to get paid. They forget about me as a person and about the community. I see that SBCC staff work late to make us feel that their support is there.”

“They [SBCC] do honor to the heart logo in their ‘I Heart Wilmington’ campaign. They have love for all of us in the community and for each of us in their programs. SBCC is always looking to see how to help the community. They ask us our opinion on needs and what they could do.”

“I now know which organizations and people really care for us. SBCC gives us food, pays our bills, and calls to check on us. I know five to six organizations in the community, but I found them to be superficial. They didn’t worry about how I felt or what I needed. They like to take photos when they give my children a backpack or school supplies…’Ellos velan por la comunidad.”

“In my connections with other organizations in my community, I can see through other nonprofit’s assistance that just do it for their own means to an end. But in this case, SBCC has a different vibe/atmosphere. What makes them stand out is genuine connection and care for the community.”            

“Sometimes people let their ego get in the way and don’t get help. Now is not the time for machismo or ego. We can’t just fold our hands and sit still. I choose to get up. I know how to cook, how to sew. We all have our talents. We need to get out and do things. We can’t let ourselves be stepped on by the pandemic.”

“SBCC helped me feel strong at a time when I had fallen down and wasn’t sure how I’d get back up. I was out of work because of the pandemic. My husband was also. We didn’t know what food we’d give our kids that night. Then we got a call from SBCC. It felt like a gift falling from the sky. They asked us what we needed and told us they are here for us.”