By: Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

Settled along Rock Quarry Road, a modest yet surprisingly spacious building is surrounded by old televisions, washing machines, children’s clothes and toys, and cans of food—an image that perfectly captures the essence of Helping Hand Mission in Raleigh, an organization dedicated to supporting everyday people in need.

There’s a constant commotion of people coming in and out, carrying goods for those in need, while the phone rings nonstop. And at the helm of it all, Sylvia Wiggins manages the operation from behind her desk, a clear indication that she’s in charge.

For over 40 years, Helping Hand Mission has been a lifeline for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, and crisis. The organization’s roots trace back to the Winter of 1973 when Wiggins set out with a station wagon to serve those less fortunate.

Wiggins, originally from Warrenton, came to Raleigh with only $11 in her pocket. Facing significant hardships herself, she resolved never to let drugs or throwing her life away become an option. Her journey was not easy; after arriving in Raleigh, she sought refuge at a women’s shelter and then worked her way up, saving enough money to move into the YMCA. It was through these struggles that Sylvia found her calling — to help others who were facing the same challenges she had once endured.

Today, Helping Hand Mission serves over 1,300 individuals and families in the Raleigh area, offering a wide range of programs designed to help people regain their independence, from food and clothing to transitional housing.

There are truly no limits to the needs people may have. Over the years, they’ve received requests for everything from baby clothes to crutches after surgery to wheelchairs for the elderly — even refrigerators.

“Last week we gave out 300 heaters to anybody who needed them. People were coming from Albemarle, North Carolina. I said ‘Where is Albemarle?’ They came from all over, and most of them came with more than just one family,” Wiggins said.

The mission operates three locations, including two in Raleigh and one in Wendell, and is entirely reliant on community donations, as it receives no government funding.

“Absolutely no funding. We have never received any money from the city of Raleigh. And you know what? We’ve been self-sufficient. People look out for people. People help people,” Wiggins said.

The organization runs 16 programs and events, all free of charge, aimed at supporting children, teens, the elderly, the disabled, victims of fire, and others who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.

One of the organization’s key initiatives is its Transitional Housing Program, which provides a temporary home for single mothers and families experiencing homelessness: the New Bern House. Through this housing program, families with children are offered shelter, food, crisis intervention, counseling, and entertainment. This program provides a haven for families as they work to transition back into independent living.

Wiggins and her team of volunteers are also committed to cold weather initiatives, such as Operation Warm Clothing, which provides blankets, clothing, and heaters to families during the winter months. With temperatures dipping below freezing, Helping Hand Mission has distributed hundreds of heaters and clothing items. However, the demand remains high.

Helping Hand Mission is open every day of the year to serve those in need. One Christmas Day, a single mother came to the mission looking for help. Her children hadn’t received anything for Christmas, and she had been working so much she couldn’t find any resources to assist her. Wiggins and her team quickly gathered clothes and toys from their back room, along with a special note for the children — signed by Santa Claus himself.

The organization relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations in the community. People from across the state donate to support the mission’s work year-round. Volunteers are an essential part of the operation, with thousands giving their time to assist with distribution efforts and special events, including

the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve parades and festivities in Raleigh. In 2022, Wiggins served as the Grand Marshal of the Raleigh Christmas parade.

One of the most notable community partnerships is with the Carolina Hurricanes, who partnered with Helping Hand Mission for the past 14 years to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys. In 2024, Helping Hand Mission gave out 1100 turkeys to families on Thanksgiving Eve. The partnership, along with collaborations with other local organizations such as the Raleigh Rescue Mission, Urban Ministries of Wake County, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, has helped provide thousands of meals for families in need during the holiday season.

“It’s been a great ride. People get on board. We partner with the fire departments– all branches. We partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes: they gave 400 turkeys this year. The AKA’s and Delta sororities also help us,” Wiggins said.

While Helping Hand Mission continues to provide essential services to those in need, the demand is greater than ever. The organization is always in need of food, clothing, furniture, and financial contributions. With the cold winter months still ahead, donations of heaters, blankets, and warm clothing are especially crucial.

Wiggins’ aim is to not only empower the community but to collaborate and work together, “If we can get away from this stigma, racial stigma, and get caught up in loving everybody black, white, or brown, everybody is going to be alright,” Wiggins said.

In the short time spent at Helping Hand Mission, about five people came in searching for items, including children’s toys, heaters, and washing machines. The phone rang constantly with calls from people seeking rental assistance or scheduling donations. Meanwhile, workers outside were busy packing trucks to deliver supplies to families in need.

`“We need a Black Wall Street in Raleigh. We got all these businesses, we need to complement each other,” Wiggins prescribed.

Helping Hand Mission, under Wiggins’ leadership, continues to be a pillar of hope for countless individuals and families not only in the Triangle but across the entire state. Only part of their work offers practical assistance, the rest is meant to bring a sense of community and solidarity with those around you. Wiggins’ vision of a more united, inclusive Raleigh, where people of all backgrounds come together to lift each other up, underscores the mission’s enduring impact.

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