The Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Inc. (WARM, Inc.) began in 1996 in response to hurricanes Bertha and Fran. Volunteers from across our region were organized by leaders of the Wilmington District of the United Methodist Church to repair the damaged homes of low income and elderly residents. While responding to the natural disaster, volunteers noticed that much of the damage predated the storms and discovered a social disaster: substandard housing. 

On November 16, 2006 a tornado cut a 1.8 mile path through Columbus County, killing 8 people and injuring 19. WARM, Inc. project managers and other volunteers contributed skills, time, and leadership to help the community recover from this tragic event. Long after the TV crews and national relief agencies packed up, WARM, Inc. has continued its mission to improve the living conditions of low income homeowners, including many elderly and disabled.

In the past 12 years, WARM, Inc. has helped over 400 families in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties. Today WARM, Inc. is an established 501(c)3 non-profit organization that brings together interfaith volunteers, civic and community groups, businesses and local government agencies to rehabilitate homes at no cost to the residents. By renovating substandard or damaged homes, WARM, Inc. is able to give back to families their self-respect, pride in ownership, and the feeling that they are safe and secure in their own homes.

From January 2000, to January 2009, WARM received over 500 applications requesting help. In 2006, 32 projects were reviewed, assessed, and completed. In 2007, a record 53 homes were completed. In 2008, another 44 homes were completed and applications continued to pour in as more homeowners heard about WARM, Inc.’s services. The Board of Directors considered the 150 applicants waiting for vital repairs and decided to take steps to strengthen WARM, Inc.'s infrastructure in order to serve more homeowners.

In early 2009, WARM, Inc., which had functioned out of the homes of volunteers and had received office support from Wrightsboro United Methodist Church, hired administrative staff and rented an office in the Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center in downtown Wilmington. WARM, Inc. has increased awareness efforts to expose the problem of substandard housing and to attract more community support for the solution.

WARM, Inc. has changed many lives due to the support of several large grants and generous private contributors. Please consider helping us continue helping those in need.