The Servant Center

Transforming Lives of Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

A man who had been homeless for some time after a tumultuous upbringing and struggles with substance abuse was determined to change his life. He secured two part-time jobs and sought help from The Servant Center’s rapid rehousing program. With the organization’s financial assistance, he was able to find housing. His dedication caught the attention of a restaurant manager, who offered him a full-time position as an assistant manager. Today, he is leading a fulfilling life, free from addiction.

“That’s what it’s all about: helping to change people’s lives,” says Shanna Reece, executive director of The Servant Center, a nonprofit in Greensboro, North Carolina.  

The Servant Center’s mission is to empower people experiencing homelessness and individuals with disabilities, particularly veterans, to become independent, contributing members of the community through housing, healthcare, and restorative services. 

Each year, The Servant Center touches the lives of about 500 individuals directly, while having an impact on more people through partnerships with organizations such as AmeriCorps.  

In September, The Servant Center will be the lead nonprofit for the Triad Stand Down, a one-day event offering services and support to veterans facing homelessness in the region. The Servant Center will provide meals and toiletries.

“Community partners like churches, civic groups, and corporations including TowneBank play a vital role in supporting The Servant Center’s mission,” Shanna says. “They all help us, and make a difference in people’s lives every day.” 

The nonprofit has been a member of TowneBank since early 2021. The Servant Center was looking for a new financial institution that would provide attentive support, and a board member referred the organization to TowneBank, Shanna says. “We’re just super happy with them. We’re small and we need somebody who’s going to take care of us and answer questions. We were with a bigger bank that stopped having that mentality.”

Representatives from The Servant Center have had the opportunity to get to know the people at TowneBank well. At Christmas, TowneBank employees brought cookies to all the staff, Shanna notes.  

Mike Diamond, private banker with TowneBank, supports The Servant Center with general banking services and loans, as well as financial advice and suggestions for potential donors to contact.  

For Mike, working with The Servant Center is very personal. His father was a social worker who ran veterans’ affairs programs in Mike’s hometown of New Orleans. Mike is also chair of the board of The Salvation Army of Greensboro, which offers transitional housing among its programs.  

Mike says he’s inspired by The Servant Center’s dedication to going beyond stop-gap measures. “The Servant Center provides wraparound services. It’s not just giving them shelter, giving them food,” Mike says. “It’s a transitional program that really helps these folks chart a pathway to success.”  

TowneBank also has shown its support of The Servant Center through financial contributions. Most recently, Shanna says, TowneBank committed $10,000 toward The Servant Center's expansion project to provide transitional housing for veterans with significant disabilities and experiencing homelessness.  

The project, named Servant House, will have 21 single bedrooms with private baths, plus virtual meeting spaces, a social game room, and increased storage. Currently, the nonprofit has 21 beds in 13 rooms and three bathrooms.  

Creating a nurturing environment is crucial for the individuals the nonprofit serves, Shanna says. “They will be able to heal and have respite,” she says. For more information, visit TheServantCenter.org.