Velva Jenkins, CEO of YWCA Lower Cape Fear in Wilmington, encourages donations to the YWCA Courage and Commitment Capital Campaign.
Velva Jenkins, chief executive officer at YWCA Lower Cape Fear in Wilmington, admits she didn’t expect her biggest challenge to arise three months into the job.
She began the position January 1, 2020, and in March, COVID hit. The pool, the childcare facility and all the programs were shut down. Since the YWCA is nonprofit, she explains, “You have to have donors. You have to have grants.”
Welcoming, genial and articulate describe this Winnabow native, who grew up on a farm the youngest of 10 children. When she reached out to community members for donations, many remembered her dedication and determination from her 32 years at Brunswick Community College, so they responded with support.
She succeeded in receiving enough funds until the COVID pandemic subsided.
“I love what I’m doing,” Jenkins says, despite citing her second greatest challenge as CEO: the Capital Campaign.
The YWCA, which is celebrating its 111th anniversary as of July 2025, bought the property on College Road in the 1970s and has no debt, but the building needs renovations. After digesting the feasibility report, the board decided it needed $9.8 million for renovations and expansion:…