Aimee Allen

The Harrelson Center, Wilmington’s campus of humanitarian nonprofits, has hired Aimee Allen, M.Ed., as a full-time community navigator, according to a news release.

Allen serves as a point of contact for people seeking community resources and referrals to supportive services including nonprofit organizations, government agencies and faith-based institutions, the release stated. In meeting with clients, Allen provides referrals, advice, basic counseling and interventions, if needed, working to establish a 90-day plan to help clients achieve long-term stability.  Allen began her new role March 7.

“We are delighted to have Aimee join our staff and provide a full-time client-facing contact for neighbors who need assistance in finding and accessing supportive services in our community,” said Harrelson Center Executive Director Meade Van Pelt in the release. “With a community navigator onsite, our nonprofit partner organizations now also have a contact to help guide their clients to resources beyond their own capacities.”

By adding a community navigator to its staff, the Harrelson Center has expanded its direct services available to clients, according to the release.

The Harrelson Center’s Help Hub, founded in 2015, provides short-term emergency financial assistance and guidance to help neighbors with rent, utilities and transportation expenses. In 2022, some 1,600 households visited the Help Hub with urgent requests, a significant jump from its typical yearly average of 1,200 households.