How you can help the residents displaced from McDougald Terrace in Durham
Here’s how you can help displaced McDougald Terrace residents as the Durham Housing Authority addresses carbon monoxide and other problems at the public housing community on Lawson Steeet.
More than 300 people have been evacuated to 12 area hotels after inspections found 35 gas furnaces, 133 stoves ad 34 hot water heaters with “significant issues,” CEO Anthony Scott said Saturday. McDougald Terrace failed federal inspections in 2018 and 2019.
▪ Members of N.C. Central University’s Staff Senate and WNCU 90.7 FM will be at the Food Lion at 3022 Fayetteville St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, to collect diapers, baby wipes, baby food, non-perishable food, detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, soap and other supplies.
▪ The United Way of the Greater Triangle is raising money through its Durham One Fund, which was created last year to help the victims of last year’s downtown Durham April gas explosion. The organization says $53,000 will be used to offer residents $250 stipends for food or any needed personal items. To donate to the United Way’s Durham One Fund, visit unitedwaytriangle.org/durham-one-fund/.
▪ Ashley Canady, the president of the McDougald Terrace Public Housing Resident Council, is also collecting donations for residents. The list of needed items includes:
- gently used clothing for men, women and children.
- shoes.
- jackets and sweaters.
- hats and scarves.
- school supplies.
New items:
- Toiletries.
- Feminine products.
- Baby food and formula.
- Diapers.
- Blankets.
- Non-perishable food and canned goods.
- Cleaning supplies.
Donations can be dropped off at 51 Ridgeway Ave., Apartment B in Durham or at the restaurant Zweli’s Kitchen, at 4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham Opened in 2018, the restaurant is owned by Leo and Zweli Williams and may be the only Zimbabwean restaurant in the country.
A GoFundMe campaign called “Good Neighbor Fund” is also collecting money, with a goal of at least $10,000.
In addition:
▪ If you are a resident who is pregnant, a nursing mother, in need of birth support, transportation, or would like to take part in Grocers on Wheels, you can contact Maya Jackson at 919-627-8679.
▪ If you need assistance from Durham County Social Services, or need to submit your January 2020 documents, call 919-560-8798.
▪ If you need mental health care or are in a substance abuse crisis, call the 24 hour Alliance Health line at 800-510-9132 or go to AllianceHealthPlan.org.
▪ If you have a 4-year-old or a soon to be 4-year-old you can apply to Pre-K now at durhamprek.org. For additional early education programs for children ages 0-5 visit childcareservices.org/findcare.
For more information, go to https://www.durhamhousingauthority.org/.
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 4:46 PM.
