About Us

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Many youth in Kinston-Lenoir County are stuck in a cycle of hopelessness, defeat, and poverty. They don’t believe they have the power to create a different life.

The Gate of Lenoir County is a faith-based community center, which empowers youth to take ownership of their decisions, so they can change their lives.

By modeling the attitude and actions of Christ, The Gate provides a safe haven of love, belonging, and accountability so youth can escape the pull of the street.

Through tutoring, mentoring, and training, Gate youth learn to take ownership of their actions, prioritize their education, take pride in their work, and serve others with joy by relying on Christ to transform their hearts and their lives.

Donna Hardy

Executive Director of The Gate

All this starts from an experience.

Donna Hardy is a dedicated community leader currently serving as the Director of The Gate of Lenoir County in Kinston, North Carolina. In this role, she is committed to fostering a family-like environment and providing youth with essential life skills, conflict-resolution strategies, and confidence-building activities. At The Gate, Hardy has been instrumental in bridging communication gaps and fostering transparency and honesty within the organization’s family.

Under Hardy’s stewardship, The Gate of Lenoir County received significant funding for its Youth Programming, further enabling the organization to uplift and empower the youth in the area. With her passionate commitment to serving the community, Hardy continues to make a substantial impact on the lives of the youths in Lenoir County.

Our Board Members

Together, we can make a difference.

The board members of The Gate, a non-profit organization, are a diverse group of passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in the Lenoir County community. Through their collective efforts, they inspire and mentor the youth, helping them discover their potential, instilling values, and fostering personal growth. With their unwavering commitment and compassion, The Gate’s board members are catalysts for change, building a brighter future for the youth of Lenoir County.