Duke announces major investment to help improve quality of life across the Triangle
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Duke University is investing $203 million during the next three years to expand job opportunities, support small businesses, and improve access to affordable housing across the Triangle.
The "HomeGrown Initiative" focuses on four key areas, including helping people to get jobs, connecting local workers and businesses to Duke projects, supporting small businesses, and expanding access to affordable housing.
"HomeGrown is about expanding opportunity so many more families can build their lives here," Ian Brown said.
Brown, chief community health and social impact officer at Duke Health, reflected on how his personal experience with homelessness shaped his work.
"If it were not for an organization like Duke or the shelter that invited me in and the opportunity to get an education and to be able to find career opportunities, I wouldn't be here today," Brown said. "I love the fact that this strategy ... has the opportunity to impact individuals like me."
The Triangle is growing "very fast," according to Brown, who wants to make sure more people benefit from the region's growth.
"When communities are stronger, our mission is stronger," Brown said.
Step Up Durham is one local nonprofit that could benefit. The organization partners with Duke, one of the region's largest employers.
Partnership coordinator Bill DeFulvio shared another success story about a single mother who found a job at Duke through Step Up.
"She's been there for five years, and she just closed on a home," DeFulvio said. "That kind of thing is not possible without a partnership."
Duke officials said many of their employees live in Durham and Wake counties.
"We want that connection to open doors to careers and opportunity," Brown said. "HomeGrown strengthens the communities our team members come from so they can live, they can grow, and stay here."
The university also announced a website that will track progress and post it publicly.
