MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The ADLA Inc Organization hosted a Building Appreciation Event this weekend, drawing strong community support to celebrate the successful restoration of their facility. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts that made the building’s recovery possible after the organization temporarily lost the property.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks New Chapter
The celebration featured a ribbon cutting ceremony with Trillium, a key partner in the restoration project. Representatives from Trillium expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with ADLA Inc in bringing the building back to life.
Trillium voiced their appreciation on having the opportunity to work together on restoring such a vital community resource.
Strong Community and Government Support
The event drew representatives from multiple departments and organizations, demonstrating the wide-reaching impact of ADLA Inc’s community work:
- Health Department officials
- Mayor of Mount Olive, Dr. J. Jerome Newton
- Wayne Community representatives
- Winston-Salem delegates
- FIC (Faith in Communities), an organization that conducts large health fairs
Recognition for Community Leadership
During the ceremony, Mayor Dr. J. Jerome Newton read a proclamation honoring Danny King’s dedicated work within the Mount Olive community. Sandra Cox, president of the Gold Wayne chapter at Winston-Salem State University’s alumni association, presented King with a gift on behalf of the organization.
Collaborative Funding Effort
The building restoration was made possible through partnerships with several organizations and more:
- Carolina Complete provided funding for kitchen supplies and other rebuilding costs
- Trillium contributed to the restoration efforts
- John Smith Construction served as the general contractor for the rebuilding project
The collaborative approach turned what could have been seen as a networking session into a meaningful community celebration.
About ADLA Inc
ADLA Inc, established in 2003 by Danny King, has served Eastern North Carolina for over two decades with A Lot of Direction, Love, and Affection. The organization has grown from its humble beginnings into a comprehensive community service provider.
Timeline of Service
Early Years (2003-2007)
- 2003: Organization founded by Danny King
- 2004: Received Office of Minority Health HIV Outreach Grant for risk reduction and educational resources
- 2005: Launched Employment Readiness Program at Southern Academy Alternative School
- 2006-2014: Facilitated Wayne County Structured Day program for at-risk youth
Expansion Period (2007-2014)
- 2007-2010: Launched Culinary Arts Training at Carver Cultural Center with multi-source funding
- 2008: Established partnership with USDA for Soup Kitchen and Child Nutrition Summer Feeding Programs
- 2008-2014: Provided tutoring services across 17 counties and facilitated after-school programs
Community Outreach Growth (2015-Present)
- 2015: Launched ADLA East Food Pantry and Mobile Feeding initiatives
- 2020-2022: Provided COVID-19 relief to 12,777 households across 14 counties
- 2023-2025: Participating in North Carolina Healthy Opportunities Pilot program, addressing housing, food, transportation, and safety needs across five counties
The organization’s resilience was tested when they temporarily lost their building, but through determined effort and community support, ADLA Inc successfully regained the property and restored it to serve the community once again.
