Living Hope responds to anonymous letter after dropping Dock Street location

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Living Hope Day Center is responding to an anonymous letter sent to its leaders following the organization’s decision not to move forward with a proposed location at 10th and Dock streets in Wilmington.

In a social media post, Living Hope said the letter arrived at the home of Tony and Christine, who lead the organization, and was addressed personally to them and Living Hope Day Center.

According to the organization, the letter had no return address or name and was signed only “LOCAL RESIDENT.”

Living Hope said the letter arrived after it had already decided not to purchase the former Sorrow Drowner Tiki Bar on Dock Street.

“Living Hope will not be intimidated. But neither will we ignore what this represents,” the organization wrote.

Living Hope said it was particularly troubled by what it described as assumptions about the people it serves, including associations between homelessness and crime, danger and addiction.

The organization said the letter indicated someone was preparing to document people using the day center and potentially build a case that their presence or Living Hope’s operation could constitute a legal nuisance.

Living Hope said the letter did not cause it to abandon the Dock Street property.

“Our decision had already been made before this letter arrived,” the organization wrote.

Living Hope announced last week that it would not move forward with the property after receiving feedback and learning more about the surrounding community.

The organization had been considering relocating there as it prepares to leave its current location at First Baptist Church because of ongoing renovations.

The proposed move faced opposition from nearby residents during a Sept. 22 Wilmington City Council meeting. At least a dozen residents attended, with seven speaking during public comment against the proposed location.

Concerns raised at the meeting included the building itself, the center’s proposed operations, safety and the property’s proximity to nearby schools.

New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Christopher Barnes also expressed concern about the location.

“We are concerned as a school system that area is within the walking distance used by students attending three nearby schools: an elementary, a middle and a high school,” Barnes said at the meeting.

Living Hope previously said it changed direction after listening to neighbors and learning more about the community surrounding the property.

In its latest statement, the organization expanded on that decision, saying it became concerned about bringing the people it serves into an environment where they could face heightened scrutiny because they are experiencing homelessness.

“We will not knowingly invite our friends into a place where they are presumed to be a problem simply because they are homeless,” Living Hope wrote.

The organization previously said dropping the Dock Street property does not end its search for a permanent home.

Living Hope said it plans to continue its work while determining what location and model would be appropriate for its next step.