From entrepreneurship to climate resiliency, every UCAN program is one piece of a holistic approach to community empowerment.
Workforce readiness and small-business support for aspiring minority entrepreneurs.
A comprehensive hybrid workforce-readiness and entrepreneurship-development program combining online learning, in-person workshops, and consulting. Built around the "Mindful Elevation" soft skills and entrepreneurship curriculum, with a strong STEM/healthcare career pathway emphasis.
A week-long youth leadership conference for ages 13 through college, covering economic development, environmental stewardship, social justice, and (in recent years) Artificial Intelligence.
A 10-week "AI 101" camp for marginalized minority women and children (ages 10–18) across the Gullah Geechee Corridor, covering AI basics, data & coding, agriculture/food security AI applications, coastal resilience AI, AI ethics, and cultural preservation through AI and art.
A community gardening and food-cultivation revival program that reintroduces traditional planting, growing, and harvesting practices as a shared community activity — with business-planning support for participants who want to turn gardening into entrepreneurial ventures.
Nutritious food access for UCAN families.
UCAN is a Human Services Organization contracted through Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear (CCLCF) under NC Medicaid's Healthy Opportunities Pilot. Service type is Food Box Delivery only — no other HOP services at this time.
UCAN's food bank/pantry operation combining a food pantry with a farmers'-market model. Dignity-centered intake: no proof-of-income required, multilingual accessibility, confidential/private process.
Reintroduces traditional planting, growing, and harvesting as a communal activity, with seeds, tools, soil, and gardening workshops leading toward a permanent community garden hub.
Stalls for local farmers, cooking demonstrations, and educational workshops as part of the Food Hub expansion.
Health education, Medicaid navigation support (English and Spanish materials), and screenings that address health disparities across our service area.
Certified Lifestyle Coaching delivered by CEO Sandra Brooks, a Certified Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach, helping community members build sustainable healthy habits.
UCAN youth explore farming and land stewardship.
A free, virtual youth leadership program for ages 13–17 with limited enrollment, including an orientation session and closing award ceremony. A strong template for relaunch under current youth branding.
An 8-month youth program (May–December) for middle/high schoolers and adults, governed by the UCAN LEAyD Council. Four pillars: Environmental Stewardship, Economic Impacts, Improvisation (arts & wellness), and Power Move (geopolitics, strategy, AI).
Leadership Empowerment & Ambassadorship for youth Development Council — UCAN's "Jr. Board," which governs youth-led programs such as Game Changers.
Combines Gullah Geechee cultural heritage preservation with climate resilience training for underserved youth ages 12–18 in Brunswick and Columbus Counties.
Programming centered on Gullah Geechee culture, storytelling, and land stewardship traditions, promoting cultural unity and respect for diversity.
Gullah Geechee tour itineraries, participation in the PREPARED Gullah Geechee Corridor Program cohort (grant writing, federal contracting, environmental project training), and Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor grant funding.
Youth connect hands-on learning with water stewardship.
Underserved youth ages 12–18 lead hurricane/flood preparedness workshops, wetland restoration, water quality testing, and green job training in solar installation and sustainable aquaculture, alongside Gullah Geechee storytelling and land stewardship.
