
Friendship House Fayetteville celebrated the next phase of their residential construction project with a groundbreaking ceremony today, July 10.
“Today we gather to celebrate a groundbreaking moment, one that transcends bricks and mortar. We embark on a journey towards permanent living options for individuals with disabilities, a vision rooted in compassion, dignity and community. Our commitment extends beyond physical walls through the provision of critical supports that foster community connections and resilience,” shared Jason Amorose, Employment Source Executive Director, during the ceremony.
Friendship House provides affordable housing to individuals with disabilities. The main Fayetteville campus provides transitional living as young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities work to maximize their interdependence. This next phase of cottages around the corner in the same neighborhood will offer long-term residential housing.
This next phase will start with two cottages consisting of two bedrooms each. The long term goal is to build eight cottages in total.
“These facilities will be more than structures. They’ll be anchors for belonging, a place where independence thrives, where barriers dissolve, and where every friend finds their voice,” shared Executive Vice President of Program Services for ServiceSource, Andrew Rind, at the ceremony.
The groundbreaking held at the corner of Broadfoot Ave. & Branson St. was a result of a collaborative effort between individuals and organizations dedicated to the mission of the Friendship House.
At center, Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and Juanette Council, Ed.D., vice chancellor for student affairs, cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand reopening of Fayetteville State University's newly renovated Spaulding Building, joined by campus leaders
FCEDC has officially moved its staff and operations to 611 W. Russell St. The 35,800- square-foot center was previously home to Homemakers Furniture and Interiors. Renovations began in the fall of 2025 and are expected to be completed in the next six to eight months. Currently, FCEDC staff are working within an open 7,500-square-foot floor plan as initial improvements progress.
Inset: Systel’s first corporate headquarters was a small rental house turned office on Fort Bragg Road in Fayetteville in 1981. Large photo: The company’s new corporate headquarters reflects years of growth into a multi-million dollar company that pr