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Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Raleigh, NC:  Neighbor to Neighbor is a faith-based, non-profit organization located in the inner-city of Southeast Raleigh.  This project took a dirty old metal storage building and transformed it into a beautiful, clean recreational facility—half of which will be used for large games such as billiards, ping-pong, and foosball, and also card and board games, and the other half will be used for free weights and fitness equipment.  NC113 also beautified the property by landscaping the grounds with new flowers, shrubs, mulch, and sod, and built two picnic tables and two benches for guests to relax on while enjoying each other’s company and eating Sunday lunch or watching a game of basketball.  The project weekend was bustling with many volunteers of all ages, who were excited to be giving back to their community, and anticipating a clean, safe place to play. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Secretary Linda Hayes commented that the flood of excitement, not only from NC113, but from the volunteers, members, and neighbors is part of tangible, dynamic transformation.  Budget: $25,000. October, 2009. NC113.  News and Observer article 

Faith Assembly Christian Center, Durham, NC:  The Faith Assembly Christian Center has a daycare center which was in dire need of refurbishing.  The Center serves low income families, many single parent families and has the capacity for 50 children.  This project took the dark, dreary classrooms and created a colorful, bright, cheerful, exciting environment for learning.  The renovation involved the full replacement of the ceiling tiles, painting of the walls, carpeting of one of the classrooms along with bright, cheerful educational area carpets for the floors, all new classroom desks, chairs, changing tables for infants, new vanities and sinks, several new doors, new light covers and bulbs for all ceiling fixtures, along with new books and educational toys.  The playground was also transformed by staining the play set, building a sand box, placing a climb and crawl set for the infants and toddlers, and provided two 5-seat buggies for the children to be taken for walks.  A space was created that the children would be excited to see each day and would give them a space to dream and learn.  Budget:  $17,000. September, 2009.  NC112.

The Shaw University Center for Early Childhood Education, Raleigh, NC:  The Shaw University Center for Early Childhood Education in Raleigh is a 5-star licensed facility (highest quality rating for a child care center) and presently serves 42 low-income children and has a capacity for 100 children.  The project has taken a brown, mulched yard and transformed it into fun, colorful areas for infants and toddlers to explore the outdoors.  The front area was enhanced to make the entrance warm and inviting with the addition of plants, sod, a bench and beautiful potted plants.  The infant area was fenced off and was enhanced with an arbor swing, a grassy area, pull-up bars, edible plants and climbing hills.  A picnic area was created with sod, a 10' x 10' covered sand box with benches, two raised vegetable gardens, a sunflower circle with two small wooden platforms over drains, two teepees, a bird house, a bird bath and feeders, and a rain garden in the bio-retention area.  A path was created for the children so that they could dream, transform and explore their world.  Budget: $65,000.  April 2009.  NC109

The Alexander Youth Network, Inc, Charlotte, NC:  This project created two gardens, and improved the grounds at the youth group home of the Alexander Youth Network (AYN) including, fencing, benches, pieces of outdoor art, garden signs, and a gazebo.  This project created a beautiful and healing outdoor environment that promotes freedom for the children and unity between the home’s residents and their natural environment.  The improvements to the property (fences, benches and sign) were artistically executed, bringing color and creativity to the space. The gardens will be a part of the home’s “Growing with Garden” curriculum. These gardens will be used to raise flowers, vegetables, and create a beautifully groomed park atmosphere. Budget: $10,000.  March 2009. NC108B.    

LifeSpan Circle School, Burlington, NC:  The LifeSpan Circle School,
Burlington in Burlington North Carolina offers 5-star day-care and pre-
school services to a mix of children who are developing typically and
children with special needs. This project provided the school with a
transformed playground by moving a swing set and bean-bag-toss unit to safer locations, installing a handicapped-accessible swing seat, installing a climbing tree for physical and cognitive development, upgrading the sandboxes and re-mulching the play areas. In addition, a storage shed that obstructed teachers' view of the children in the
playground was replaced with an open gazebo where children can enjoy
sheltered play with a set of new toys.  Budget: $19,000.  November 2008.  NC105.

Watts Elementary School, Durham, NC:  This project involved designing and building an outdoor amphitheater on the playground of Watts Elementary School. The amphitheater  accommodated a minimum of 120 children, or two entire grades at once.
July 2002.  NC48.   Herald-Sun article 

Central Children's Home,  Oxford, NC:   This orphanage, established in 1883, is the second oldest children’s home in NC and the oldest black orphanage in the US.  This project involved painting buildings, landscaping, installing a playground, repairing a fountain and sidewalks, and engaging children in painting murals.  Budget:  $45,000. October 2000.  NC34.  Herald-Sun article

Helping Horse, Raleigh, NC:  Helping Horse Riding Center provides therapeutic horseback riding for physically, mentally and/or emotionally disabled persons.  This project provided Improved landscaping, a permanent outdoor hanicapped-accessible bathroom, and a covered riding area.  June 2001.  NC38LLL. News & Observer article PDF

The Governor Morehead Preschool for the Blind, Raleigh, NC:  This project created a sensory garden for visually impaired and blind pre-school children that contains landscaping to create four sensory quadrants: smell, sound, taste and touch.  Installations included a garden bench, a mosaic, wind chimes, birdhouses, herbs, tactile plants, soil, ground coverings, bird feeders and birdbaths.  Budget:  $10,000.  February 2007.  NC89.  Public Service Announcement and photos see comments

Lead Mine Elementary School, Raleigh, NC:  This projected created an outdoor classroom and nature path.  Budget:  $15,000.  July 2004.  NC66.  News & Observer article

Montessori Preschool, Greensboro, NC:  This project involved landscaping an out door area and installing play equipment and sand boxes for underprivileged infants, toddlers and young children up to the age of six.  The vision of this project was ro allow children to experience the out-of-doors in a way that allows them to connect with nature. The landscaping included a fenced in area with nature paths, shrubbery, trees and plantings. Budget:  $30,000.  February 2008.  NC98.

St. Bernard Parish Elementary School. Chalmette, LA:  This area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and was in need of restoration.  Some of the residents were still not able to live in their homes, some moved into a tiny FEMA trailer.  This project landscaped the grounds of the elementary school;  when the school is reopened the students and staff will enter the gates into an oasis of color, life and love.  July 2006.  NC83 graduates (Senior LPs).

SAFEchild  Child Abuse Prevention Agency, Raleigh, NC:  This project created an English/Spanish Library, a mural for the children called "wall of dreams", and upgraded a playground. Budget:  $20,000.  October 2000.  NC33.  

The Epiphany House,  Raleigh, NC:   Epiphany House provides a living environment for homeless women and children.  This project completed renovated the children’s playroom, outdoor garden and library.  June 2000.  NC 31.

Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, Raleigh, NC:  This project designed and built a walkway and sensory garden for the children.  An outdoor space called Bunny's Garden was transformed into a multi-sensory environment complete with fountains, benches, wheelchair-friendly surfaces and decorative statues. August 2000.  NC32.

Agape Corner School, Durham, NC:  This project built a beautiful playground for children and their families.   Budget:  $20,000.  August  2001.  NC39.

Estes Elementary School, Asheville, NC:  This project upfitted an English as a second language mobile unit with computers, a TV, a VCR and software.  Budget:  $8000.  February 2005.  NC71.  Asheville Citizen-Times article.

Prancing Horse, Cameron, NC:  Prancing Horse provides therapeutic horseback riding programs for special needs children, with a direct focus on those who come from under-privileged environments.  This project involved major renovations of the facility including updating the sensory riding trail.  Budget:  $10,000.  May 2003.  NC56.

Camp New Hope, Durham, NC:  This project refurbished and added new playground equipment, and landscaped the playground in the environment.  September 2003. NC60.

Sugh Nursery School, Durham, NC:  This project painted the inside of the school, removed outdated playground equipment, power washed outside of building and installed a new sign.  April 2004. NC64.  Herald Sun article

Method Child Development Center, Raleigh, NC:  This project performed extensive landscaping including ponds, landscaping, and fencing for this non-project day care center.  Budget:  $12,000.  June 2005.  NC74.

Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network, Raleigh, NC:  The Project included major renovation of a teen room, guest Office, lobby, and day room.  These renovations allowed homeless families to be empowered during their stay.  January 2001.  NC43.  A second project retrofitted an aging playground and completely refurbished a nursery and a playroom.  November 2005. NC78.