Peace Begins With Love: Tyrrell County Inner Banks Hotline Update – April 2025

At Tyrrell County Inner Banks Hotline, our mission is simple but powerful: to create a safe and nurturing environment for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Every day, we work to empower individuals, rebuild lives, and strengthen the bonds of our community.

For the past 15 years, we have stood strong in this commitment by offering emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, financial assistance, and educational programs designed to heal and empower. During April alone, we proudly served five victims directly impacted by violence and provided nearly $9,000 in financial support to 38 families struggling to meet basic needs like electricity, water, heating, medications, and rent. It’s important to note: much of this assistance went not just to victims but to ordinary citizens of Tyrrell County, reinforcing that our mission serves the entire community.

We are incredibly grateful to have received a mission development grant from the State Employees Credit Union Foundation. With these funds, we are focusing on one of our most urgent goals — establishing a dedicated shelter right here in Tyrrell County.

The need for a local shelter was heartbreakingly underscored just last week when a mother of five reached out for immediate help. We offered transport to a sister shelter in another county, but her response still echoes in my mind:
“No, I will stay home and hope for the best. My children’s home is in Tyrrell. Their friends, school, and family are here. My job is here. I cannot leave.”

This mother’s courage and love for her children inspire us to work even harder. No one should ever have to choose between safety and staying rooted in their community.

As we push forward toward making this shelter a reality, we know that real change is only possible with the support of caring individuals like you. Your encouragement, your ideas, and your donations fuel our mission.

Soon, we will be adding a Cash App donation option to our website (www.ibxhotline.org) to make supporting our cause even easier. Stay tuned for updates on our shelter planning and progress — we are excited about what’s ahead!

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. Your support brings hope, healing, and peace to Tyrrell County.

With gratitude and determination,
Janie Spencer-Gibbs
Executive Director, Tyrrell County Inner Banks Hotline
📧 spencer@ibxhotline.org
📞 (252) 796-5526