Community. Independence. Resilience. These are not concepts we are bringing to rural and small town America. They are things rural and small town America has always embodied. What Nearby Nearby Network is building is a way to make that existing strength more visible, more connected, and more ready before the next disruption comes.

The Grassroots Disaster Preparedness Listening Tour

When Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, the problem was not that people did not want to help. Trucks were ready. Neighbors were ready. Supplies were somewhere. What kept breaking down was information. People did not know what was open, where help was, or who to trust.

That gap between a community in need and the help trying to reach it is what Nearby Nearby Network is being built to close. But before we build any more of it, we need to hear from the people who experienced it, whether they lived through it, volunteered, or were a concerned neighbor watching their community struggle.

This summer we are making eight stops across North Carolina, mountains to the coast. At each one we sit down with a small group and ask four things. What worked. What did not. Who and what you trusted when everything else fell apart. And what would have made the biggest difference.

We want to hear from everyone who has a piece of this. The people who lived through Helene, Florence, or a flood that never made the news. The people who stayed and held their community together. The people who drove in from three counties over with a truck full of supplies. The people who have never been through a disaster but love their community too much to look away. Every one of you saw something the rest of us did not, and you know things no outside expert ever will.

What you share is what shapes what we build.

The Tour Stops

Most stops are capped at about 20 people on purpose. The conversation stays real when the room stays small. Register early.

Stop 1: Bat Cave Register Here
Saturday, July 18, 4:00 to 7:00 PM
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
106 Saylor Lane, Bat Cave, NC 28710
Hosted by Bat Cave Disaster Relief, Father John and the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
Community potluck, bring a chair and a meal to share if you can no seat cap

Stop 2: Shelby Register Here
Monday, July 20, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce
200 S Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28150
Hosted by Senator Ted Alexander
About 20 seats

Stop 3: Durham Register Here
Thursday, July 30, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
600 Park Offices Building, CED
600 Park Offices Drive, Durham, NC 27709
Hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurial Development
About 20 seats

Stop 4: Raleigh Register Here
Thursday, August 6, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Atomic Object
150 Fayetteville Street, 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hosted by Atomic Object
About 20 seats

Stop 5: Pittsboro Register Here
Thursday, August 13, 6:00 to 8:30 PM
Quilt Maker Cafe
75 W Salisbury Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Hosted by Quilt Maker Cafe
About 20 seats

Stop 6: Siler City Register Here
Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
NC Arts Incubator
223 N Chatham Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344
Hosted by NC Arts Incubator
About 20 seats

Stop 7: New Bern Register Here
Thursday, August 27, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
New Bern-Craven County Public Library
400 Johnson Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Hosted by Spine and Leaf Media
18 seats

Stop 8: Wilmington
Date and location to be announced. Follow our social media for updates.

Can Not Make It in Person?

Your voice still matters. Share what you experienced, what worked, and what you wish had been different through our community survey.

This is your blueprint as much as ours. Come help us get it right.

If you have skills in technology, cybersecurity, communications, disaster preparedness, marketing, or any other area you think could support this work, we want to hear from you. We are still in the early stages of understanding what we need and how to best move forward. As we gather information and shape the direction of this work, we will be sharing more about how people can contribute their time and expertise. Follow our posts and social media to stay connected as those opportunities become clearer.