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WALLACE — Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries (DCOM) Crisis Center plays a vital role supporting individuals and families facing crisis situations in Duplin County.
Jeralene Merritt, director of DCOM Crisis Center told Duplin Journal clients typically seek food, utilities, and rent assistance.
Merritt, who has been with DCOM since in 2020, has seen the organization evolve over the years adding new programs and partnerships to meet the increasing needs of the community. They have expanded their pantries from two to six locations and introduced programs, including the backpack ministry, money management assistance, and support for the homeless.
“We have added a thrift store,” Merritt noted, adding that they have also increased the financial support they provide to clients.
Merritt, who works part time at the center, shared that over 105 volunteers are involved in various programs, playing a crucial role in DCOM’s operations. On service days, DCOM serves a significant number of people, assisting between 10 to 28 clients within a span of 2.5 hours.
“We see, just in this office, on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours and a half, we can see anywhere from 10 to 28 clients,” said Merritt. “We serve over 2,000 clients in Duplin County in food every month.”
The organization was initially inspired by local pastors who recognized the need for a central location to help those in crisis, as many were going from church to church seeking assistance. DCOM was founded by pastors in Wallace who observed this pattern and decided it was essential to establish a centralized hub where individuals could receive help. This location allows churches and community members to contribute funds while keeping track of individuals in crisis and assisting them more effectively.
“Our primary focus is on crisis intervention,” Merritt explained, emphasizing that individuals seeking assistance must provide proof of their crisis. It was with this understanding, that pastors and local community members came together to establish DCOM.
Merritt began volunteering there after retiring from the Department of Correction, where she served for 30 years.
While volunteering, the organization sought an executive director, and she applied. Merritt was hired on July 5, 2020.
DCOM remains sustainable through grants, donations from churches, and contributions from individuals. The organization also generates funds through its thrift store. Merritt is responsible for writing grants to ensure that the organization can continue to meet its clients’ needs.
While there are no new programs planned for the near future, Merritt hopes to one day create a homeless shelter in Duplin, as there is a significant need for such services.
Volunteers and community partnerships are essential to DCOM’s success, and the executive director is committed to ensuring that the organization continues to serve those in need effectively and sustainably.
DCOM operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering a variety of services to those in need. These services include food assistance, emergency transportation, help with rent and utilities, as well as providing diapers, hygiene items, and packages for the homeless.
The organization assists clients who are at risk of eviction or have received a disconnection notice from utility providers, but individuals must demonstrate their crisis to receive support.
In addition, DCOM offers food for children over the weekends, especially aimed at families experiencing food insecurity. They prepare over 250 backpacks filled with food each week for local students.
While DCOM previously provided assistance with minor home repairs, such as fixing broken steps or windows, this program has been paused due to a shortage of volunteers. Also, while the mobile pantry for migrant workers is no longer in operation, there is a smaller mobile pantry serving elderly individuals in need of food.
Merritt told the Duplin Journal that DCOM collaborates with pastors who provide counseling services to clients in need.
One particularly memorable story for Merritt involves a domestic violence survivor who, survivor who, with DCOM’s assistance, was able to escape an abusive situation and find a safe place to live with her children.
“She was in one of those mobile homes, and it was four children. And she was running from her husband because of abuse… we were able to find a place for her to park her RV, and we were able to give her food and some of the other needs that she needed,” she explained.
“I always remember that… she was so very thankful. Sometimes people are not thankful. Sometimes they’re wounded for the wrong reason. They might not tell you the truth, but it was something about her and those children that really touched me, and I remember that.”
The organization strives to maintain a comfortable and welcoming environment where clients feel safe to seek help. Trust and privacy are fundamental to DCOM’s success, allowing clients to rely on the organization for support without fear of judgment or breach of confidentiality.
