For many in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, the nonprofit Club Nova was a haven and a beacon of hope. Since 1987 Club Nova has provided support, education, and employment opportunities to people in the Orange County community struggling with severe mental illness.
After Club Nova was badly hit by the pandemic in 2020, groundbreaking began on a new facility earlier this year after their former facilities in Carrboro fell into disrepair. At that point, Club Nova had raised $ 3.5 million of its $ 4.3 million goal. Now that number will rise even higher.
In late September, the North Carolina State Credit Union Foundation announced a $ 350,000 grant to help build Club Nova’s new 9,125-square-foot facility.
“This organization has a dedicated and experienced staff who are critical of those with severe mental illness,” said Jama Campbell, executive director of the SECU Foundation. “We are proud to help Club Nova expand their practice and provide North Carolina families and their loved ones with better access to mental health support services.”
According to a statement from the SECU Foundation, Club Nova currently looks after an average of 45 people daily and 117 people annually.
“The SECU grant was really a godsend,” Club Nova chairman Gretchen Davis said in a statement. “As a result, we achieved what we needed to complete the construction and furnish and equip the new clubhouse within $ 440,000.”
“We thank you very much [the] SECU Foundation, ”said Karen Kincaid-Dunn, Executive Director of Club Nova. “This generous gift will enable Club Nova to complete its new, larger facility and, most importantly, to provide life-changing support to more people in need of our comprehensive community-based approach.”
The new Club Nova will include a dining room for 70 people, a stargazing terrace, a greenhouse and a garden. With its new premises, Club Nova hopes to serve 100 people a day.
To learn more about Club Nova’s construction campaign, click here.
Featured image via Club Nova
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