A Conversation with WNCR on Immigration, Community, and Prosperity North Carolina

Last night on WNCR Rocky Mount TV Network, Prosperity North Carolina (PNC) joined community voices to talk about something too many families know but too few leaders address: the reality of living undocumented in North Carolina.

Across the state, an estimated 375,000 undocumented immigrants call North Carolina home. According to the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy, these same families contribute over $262 million in state and local taxes every year. Yet they remain locked out of decision-making, locked out of protections, and often locked into fear. As one co-chair of PNC put it on air:

“Our communities believe in ‘no taxation without representation.’ Families who pay in should not have to live without the basic security of being able to work, learn, and contribute openly.”

That is the heart behind Project Open Door.

Why Now? Why This Approach?

The data in 2022 painted a stark picture:

• Nationwide, 10.5 million people lived in the U.S. without legal status.

• In North Carolina alone, many undocumented residents lived in rural counties, where legal aid is scarce and immigration costs are crushing.

• Legal pathways are expensive — a green card petition can cost up to $3,500, an asylum application up to $7,000, and deportation defense often more than $10,000.

For families earning minimum wage or piecing together multiple jobs in agriculture, construction, or service work, these costs are devastating. Without support, the barriers remain insurmountable — leading to fractured families, economic instability, and whole communities living in fear.

As the PNC Co-Chair's explained on WNCR:

“We aren’t just talking about numbers. We’re talking about neighbors. A hundred undocumented families in Rocky Mount aren’t an abstract debate — they are the backbone of our economy, and they deserve to live without fear.”

What Project Open Door Does

Project Open Door exists to tear down the financial walls keeping families from safety and security. Through partnerships with law firms committed to immigrant justice, PNC provides full coverage of immigration legal costs for undocumented North Carolinians pursuing:

• Green card petitions

• Citizenship and naturalization

• Adjustment of status

• Asylum applications

• Deportation defense

This isn’t just charity, it’s strategy. By ensuring families can access lawful pathways, communities become stronger, safer, and more economically stable.

What 100 Families Could Mean

Imagine 100 undocumented families in eastern North Carolina gaining legal status through Project Open Door:

• That’s hundreds of children who can attend school without fear their parents won’t be home at night.

• That’s millions of dollars in future earnings funneled into local businesses, housing, and education.

• That’s 100 more families who can vote, serve, and participate fully in civic life over time.

The ripple effect would be transformative, not just for those families but for every community they touch.

Looking Forward

At the WNCR roundtable, both PNC co-chairs stressed the same point: this is only the beginning. Project Open Door isn’t a pilot. It’s a promise, that Prosperity North Carolina will stand with rural, immigrant, and working class families until opportunity is not just a slogan but a lived reality.

“Our mission is simple: doors should be open, not locked shut. Project Open Door is about turning keys into futures.”

About Prosperity North Carolina

Prosperity North Carolina, Inc. is a grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring opportunity and voting rights are accessible to all, especially those in rural communities. Through programs like Operation Give & Save, Project ReStart, and now Project Open Door, PNC works to make sure families across the state can thrive with dignity, security, and hope.

Project ReStart: Empowering Families in Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties

Interior of a cozy, apartment, symbolizing the stability and hope that Project ReStart and the Chatham County Hispanic Coalition bring to families facing housing instability. Photo Credit: Hare Brothers Media, Inc.

We are excited to announce the launch of Project ReStart, a transformative new program designed to support families facing housing instability and economic hardship across Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties. Through a powerful collaboration with the Chatham County Hispanic Coalition, this program aims to provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions to help individuals regain stability, financial independence, and hope for the future.

Addressing Housing Insecurity and Economic Struggles

In 2024, housing instability continues to be a growing concern for many families, especially in our region. With rising rent prices, increased evictions, and the challenges of securing stable employment, countless individuals and families are finding themselves at a crossroads. According to recent reports from Durham Housing Authority, over 51% of renters in Durham County are spending more than 30% of their income on housing, leaving them vulnerable to eviction. In Chatham County, low vacancy rates and escalating rental costs have pushed many families into crisis, making it harder for them to find stable housing.

It’s not just about housing; it’s about creating opportunities for individuals to thrive. Families who are struggling with job loss or underemployment need support to find stable work, gain new skills, and manage their finances. That’s why Project ReStart isn’t just a rent relief program, it’s a comprehensive solution to help families rebuild their lives from the ground up.

What Does Project ReStart Offer?

Project ReStart provides a holistic approach to addressing the root causes of housing instability and economic vulnerability. The program offers:

• Up to 3 months of rent and utility assistance: To prevent eviction and provide families with the breathing room they need to regain their footing.

• Workforce development services: Connecting participants to local employers, job training, skills development, and career pathways to help them secure stable, long-term employment.

• Financial literacy and coaching: Offering workshops on budgeting, credit management, and saving for the future to help families build lasting financial stability.

  
  

This initiative is designed to meet families where they are and provide them with the support they need to get back on track. Whether it's paying overdue rent, finding a new job, or learning how to budget effectively, Project ReStart is committed to empowering families to rebuild their lives.

The Power of Partnership: Working with the Chatham County Hispanic Coalition

The partnership between Prosperity North Carolina and the Chatham County Hispanic Coalition is at the heart of Project ReStart. This collaboration allows us to tap into the knowledge, resources, and community connections of the Chatham County Hispanic Coalition, a trusted organization with deep ties to local immigrant and underserved communities. Together, we’re not just offering aid, we’re creating a pathway to long-term success.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Prosperity North Carolina on such an impactful initiative,” said Maria Garcia, Executive Director of the Chatham County Hispanic Coalition. “Many families in our community are struggling, not just to stay in their homes, but to build a future where they can thrive. Project ReStart is a beacon of hope for them.”

By combining immediate support for housing with career development and financial education, Project ReStart ensures that families don’t just get back on their feet temporarily, but are equipped with the skills and resources to maintain stability in the future.

Why Now? The Need for Project ReStart

As we enter the final months of 2024, the need for this program has never been more urgent. National trends in housing insecurity, coupled with economic uncertainty, have placed more pressure on low-income families. Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties are no exception. We’ve seen a sharp rise in evictions, with court filings in Durham County surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and a dramatic increase in the number of families at risk of homelessness. At the same time, Orange County’s eviction rate has increased by 15% in the past year alone.

“Eviction doesn’t just affect someone’s home, it disrupts their entire life,” says Sarah Williams, Project Manager at Prosperity North Carolina. “When people don’t have a stable place to live, it’s nearly impossible for them to succeed in the workforce, support their families, or make financial progress. Project ReStart is designed to break that cycle.”

How to Apply

Project ReStart is open to families in Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties who are facing eviction, utility disconnections, or economic hardship. If you or someone you know could benefit from the program, here’s how to apply:

1. Download the Project ReStart application [here].

2. Complete the application with your personal information, housing details, and income information.

3. Submit any required documentation (lease agreements, eviction notices, income verification, utility bills, etc.).

4. Wait for a confirmation email and a call from a caseworker to review your application.

Once you’re enrolled, you’ll have access to a network of resources designed to help you get back on your feet and start building a brighter future for you and your family.

Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Future Together

As we reflect on the impact of Project ReStart, we’re reminded that this work is about more than just providing financial relief; it’s about creating opportunities for families to thrive. With Prosperity North Carolina and Chatham County Hispanic Coalition working hand-in-hand, we’re not just helping families survive; we’re helping them thrive and break the cycle of instability for good.

We are incredibly proud of this partnership and the opportunity to bring Project ReStart to life. Together, we can ensure that every family has the chance to live in a safe, stable home and build a better future.

If you are facing housing instability or financial hardship, don’t wait, apply for Project ReStart today and take the first step toward rebuilding your life.

Stay Connected

For updates on Project ReStart and other community support initiatives, follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter.

An Update on This Election Cycle

At Prosperity North Carolina, we work to build a more equitable and inclusive North Carolina for people by advancing, achieving and protecting civil rights of the people through lobbying, grassroots organizing and more. By doing so, we are able to inform the general voting public, promote others to be involved in the local elections, and to inform policy makers on issues of concerns of the underserved.

As we are expanding into new areas, we take the time to become informed on the issues and concerns that community and its residents have within their community.

However, in Durham, North Carolina, late October 2023, about two weeks before the election, we were approached about the election.

We listened to residents in Durham. We implore you to stay informed on those running in this election.

With the tight timeline, we fired at all cylinders to get the information out to the people of Durham.

With a little over two weeks that we had been given, we took action. With the help of those at Prosperity North Carolina and the paid volunteers that devoted their Friday to type up, print, label and stamp 1,500 flyers to be mailed in time before the Tuesday Election, we extend the greatest gratitude. Without their efforts, the progress made thus far would have been impossible. 

With our push on social media, robocalls, texts, and ads, we urge you, as the voter, to look at the candidates and select those candidates that will stand up for you. 

Co-Chair Kristen Picot on the effort, “We saw the need to help, we have pivoted and put our all into informing the voters in Durham. I am proud of everyone in our organization and those within the community that have helped the effort to inform the voters during the election.”

Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th, and we will continue to push to the finish line. Remember to go out and vote.