“Just Us” Greater Life of Fayetteville program helps moms bond, grow and learn with their children

By Faith Hatton, posted May 7, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

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 Orange Street School building located at 600 Orange St., the organization's love for the children involved can be seen through the many group photos, art projects and paintings hung around the room. 

For each of these memories, GLOF Founder and CEO Georgeanna “Ms. G” Pinckney can pick out a child and tell you when, where and how the organization’s programs have impacted their life. 

 

GLOF fosters a number of community building programs for all demographics such as the Tight'N It Up: Men Only Workshops. This month, the upcoming workshop is scheduled to take place on May 22; and will provide men with a safe environment to address ways to break toxic cycles that cause harm by teaching them practices and techniques they can use when addressing life’s challenges. 

For the younger ladies and gentlemen, the I am YOU-Nique Summer Program offers a variety of activities and classes geared towards STEM. This program provides weekly sessions in art, agriculture, technology, banking and leadership, while also taking students on age-appropriate, learning field trips and partaking in etiquette, law enforcement, organic gardening and creative dance and vocal classes.

One of the newer programs being offered is aimed at helping mothers build a special relationship with their children. 

The GLOF’s “Just Us” program has spent the past year helping mothers from all walks of life form connections with their children in a supportive environment. 

“It was around Mother’s Day that it came to me: Do something for the moms. And the title “Just Us” came about,” shared Pinckney. “It’s about bonding and learning about each other. We took them to the symphony and one mom said ‘We needed this.’”

The program hosts GLOF families with quarterly educational and bonding activities including tours of the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights, a trip to see the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and an outing to Main Event in Fayetteville. One of the main goals, Pinckney shared, was to let the kids see their mothers outside of the daily rush of homework, responsibilities and as an authority figure. Instead, the moms and kids can just share a fun experience together in a relaxed environment which may not be an option regularly. 

“It’s exciting to be able to know that what we’re offering, it helps with reconnections or whatever is going on with that family, or take their minds off it temporarily, and let them enjoy one another. And that’s important, because life happens, and life may not come at you pleasant. But if you have something to offset that, then that just does my heart well,” said Pinckney. 

As of April, 2025, the “Just Us” Program was able to serve 30 participants, 17 children and 13 parents, creating growth, healing and joy opportunities. 

While organizers aimed to serve 34 individuals, the depth of impact exceeded expectations, as many families expressed deep gratitude for being seen, supported and celebrated. 

The program was made possible thanks to a grant from the Cumberland Community Foundation Inc.’s Women’s Giving Circle which wrapped up in April. 

GLOF board members and donors also provided gifts, meals, fuel and essentials to ease burdens during the holiday season.

“We are deeply indebted to the CCF Women’s Giving Circle for their unwavering belief in the power of connection and their significant investment in the lives of women and children. Your support has not only made this program possible but also unforgettable. We are truly grateful,” shared Pinckney in a written statement. “One mother in the program shared with us how ‘Just Us’ has helped her family stay strong in the face of trauma and personal loss. Her story, among many others shared privately, is a testament to the importance of this work.” 

GLOF already has plans to reapply for the same grant to continue the program into 2026. Future goals for the “Just Us” program include an educational portion with the addition of the Roots & Resilience vegetable garden located on the side patio. 

“We want to do more with them, not just on a fun level, but educational level as well,” said Pinckney. “Therapeutic gardening, not just for the kids but for the parents as well. And then they’ll be the ones harvesting, so they can see the beginning to the end of the process.” 

Recently, Carolina Foodscapes joined GLOF to guide them in a powerful lesson on watering not only the garden, but the deeper parts of themselves. 

“The kids worked hard, pouring care into each bed, only to realize the plants needed more than what they thought. It wasn’t enough to see the surface damp; we had to dig a little deeper to know if the roots were truly being nourished. It’s a lot like life and love. Sometimes, things look fine on the outside, but beneath the surface, we might still be longing for more. We all need care that truly reaches us—love that soaks deep enough to help us grow whole and strong,” shared Carolina Foodscape in a Facebook post. 

To learn more about the Greater Life of Fayetteville programs, donate or sign up, you can visit their website here and their Facebook page here. 

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