Congratulations on 21 years of continuous publication of the Carolina Indian Volce.Thank you
for continuing to tell the story of the Lumbee-Cheraw Tribe.
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Lumbee Reeional Development Association? Inc.
Lumbee Regional Development Assocuuion. Inc is a private, nun-profit corporation organized in 1968 to allow
Indian people to access federal, state and local monies to improve the quality of life for Indians
residing in Robeson and adjoining counties. The LRDA is administered by a 17-metnber Board of
Directors and an Executive Director.
The Board of Directors set policies for the agency, oversee the function of management,
establishes long range plans for the agency, and acts as an advocate for the needs of Lumbee people.
Serving on the Board of Directors are: Patricia C. Hunt, Leroy Scott, H. Dobbs Oxcndine, Jr.
Herbie Oxcndine, Bobby D. Locklear, Earl Cummings. Gerald Strickland, Horace Chavis, William
Lowry, Adolph Blue who is Chairman, Dorothy Lowry, James Sampson, Jr., Morris Oxendine and
Michael Locklear. The three at-large members are A. Bruce Jones, Roderick G. Locklear, and Burlie
Locklear. (( (
James Hardin is Executive Director. He manages and co-ordinates all agency programs and
operations in accordance with policies set by the Board of Directors. He generates support on the
local, state, and national level and administers overall financial, personnel, and technical aspects of
the agencies..
The agencies operates several programs. A brief summary of those programs are as follows:
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Job Training and
Partnership Act Program
JTPA is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor lo pro vide job training and
assistance to unemployed or economically disadvantaged Indians in Robeson,
Hoke, and Scotland Counties. These services include: a) Community Service
Employment, b) On-the-Job Training, c) Work Experience, d) Classroom
Training. and e) Job Search Counseling and Preparation.
This program helps promote the growth and stability of local
government, agencies and businesses by paying the salaries of
employees in training or half of the salaries of the on-the-job trainee
enrolled worker. The staff works closely with area industries and
employers to keep informed on job openings and placement
opportunity. The project office is located in Pembroke. Call 521
9761. The JTPA Program also has offices in Hoke and Scotland
Counties.
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Lumbee Tribal Office
The Lumbee Tribal Enrollment Office provides enrollment
services and maintains the membership records for the more than
40,000 enrolled members of the Lumbee-Cheraw Tribe. The Office
provides certification of membership and updates addresses and
other information on the enrolled tribal members The Office
provides information to local, state, and federal government officials
related to members of the Lumbee-Cheraw Tribe and federal
recognition efforts of the tribe. For assistance call 521-2464.
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Energy Assistance Services
The LRDA Energy Project Office, located in Lumberton. prov ides financial
assistance to eligible Indian households during the winter or summer
with their heating or cooling related fuel or energy bills. This
Srogram has two components: (I) Direct payments in which
ouseholds receive an energy assistance check in early February;
and(2) winter or summer assistance in crisis situations related to the *
household energy source. The Main Energy Office is in Lumberton.
For assistance call 738-7906. The Project also has offices in Hoke
and Scotland counties.
Lumbee SSI Outreach
Demonstration Project
The LRDA receives funding from the Social Security
Administration to conduct an outreach demonstration project that
assists Indian and other potentially eligible clients to apply for SSI
and Medicaid assistance. The target population for the project are
low-income Indian people of rural areas of Robeson, Hoke, and
Scotland counties. The Project office is in Lumberton and can be
reached at 671-8550. The project also has offices in Hoke and
Scotland counties.
Educational Talent Search
The program assists students in Robeson County high schools to
prevent drop outs, to help direct students into educational fields after
high school, and to complete applications for admissions and
finanical aid. The program staff works directly in the schools in
conjunction with school counselors and administrators. The staff.
helps students identify and obtain information on educational
opportunities and to resolve problems. The staff offers special
assistance in completing Scholarship applications. For assistance
call 521-8602.
Lumbee Industries
In 1987 LRDA established the for-profit subsidiary corporation
Lumbee Industries. Lumbee Industries is owned and operated by
American Indians. In 1991 the Lumbee Industries Box
Manufacturing Plant was established. The Box Plant is primarily
a woodworking operation that supplies its products to the government
and private industries The Box Plant is located in Pembroke and
the phone number is 521-8100.
Lumbee Model Turkey Farm
The LRDA owns and operates the Lumbee Model Turkey Farm
which is located on a 20 acre tract near Rennert. The farm has the
capacity to raise about 40.000 turkeys per year.
Food Pantry/Book Room
The Food Pantry provides emergency food to low income
families or individuals in crisis situations.
The Book Room distributes surplus books to people in the area
for a nominal donation. The Food Pantry/Book Room is located in
Pembroke. For assistance call 521-2915.
Indian Adult Education
The Indian Adult Education Project provides educational classes
for Indian adults in four rural areas of Robeson County to help the
adults to obtain a High School Equivalency Dipolma. The program
has three components. 11 Adult Basic Education Services assist
adults to improve skills in oral and written communications, math,
science, and social studies. 2) General Education services assist
adults to pass the state test required to receive a High School
Equivalency Dipolma. 3) The Career Awareness program provides
information and assistance to help students advance in careers. The
Project classes are held in community facilities in the Evans
Crossing, Fairgrove, Rex-Rennert. and Smyrna areas of Robeson
County. For assistance call 521-8602.
LRDA Head Start
The LRDA recei\es funds trom the Department of Health and
Human Services to operate a Head Start program. The program
ogpates three Head Startcomers which are located, jp the foUowing
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provides comprehensive child development services fd about IUU
children of all races between the ages of three and five. Children in
Head Start come mainly from low-income families. The program
has four main components, h education. 21 health, 3) parent ?
involvement, and 4) social services. For assistance call 521-8602.
Day Care Services
LRDA operates six day care centers in Robeson County. These
centers are at the following locations:
Fairgwve Day Care-Old Fairgrove School
5 G's Day Care- Red Banks Area
Rex-Rennert Day Care-Rex-Rennert Community
Saddletree Day Care- Saddletree Community
Tudor's Court Day Care- West Lumberton area
Union Chapel Day Cere-Union Chapel Community
The purpose of the LRDA Day Care Program is to improve the
educational and economic conditions and quality of life of the rural
communities by providing state licensed, full-time day care services
to families with children ages one to 12. Nearly 350 children are
served daily at these centers. For assistance call 521-8555.
Economic Development Assistance
LRDA receives funds from the .Administration for Native
Americans to pursue business ventures that will create jobs and
generate revenues for the tribe to put into other economic ventures.
In recent years these business ventures have included day care
centers, AM and FM radio stations, community swimming pool,
model turkey farm, and Lumber Industries Box Plant. The
development of these \ entures has been done in coordination with
the Job Training Assistance Program of LRDA. The Economic
Development Assistance staff also provides limited assistance to
small businesses with loan packaging and management needs. For
assistance call 521-8602.
AM and FM Radio Stations
In 1087 the LRDA purchased the AM Radio Station. WYRU,
which is located in Red Springs. The format of WYRU is mainly
gospel music The AM station generates a small profit, provides
training to Indian people in the broadcasting industry
In 1088, LRDA applied for a permit to build an FM station in
Robeson County. Tne permit was granted in August 1903. The
LRDA plans to have the station operating in the near future. WYRU
is located near Red Springs and can be reached at 1-800-1.18-9978.
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LRDA Community Swimming Pool
The LRDA Community Swimming Pool is a leased facility at the
North Carolina Indian Cultural Center. The pool provides safe and
low cost recreational activities. The pool is one or the largest in the
area and is open during the summer season.
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