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Running head: PEMBROKE, NORTH CAROLINA 1

Community Needs Assessment: Pembroke, North Carolina

Nicole Collins, Natasha Hughes, Kristy Scott, and Charlsity Smith

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

On our honor this paper represents our own words and thoughts and/or the words and thoughts of others with proper citations. We have neither given nor received assistance on this assignment other than as authorized by the instructor.

PEMBROKE, NORTH CAROLINA 2

Abstract

This article is about the history of the rural town Pembroke, North Carolina. Pembroke is a town

in Robeson County located in North Carolina. Pembroke is notable for the University of North

Carolina at Pembroke, a large economic institution for the community. Pembroke also has a

cultural grassroots with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Both Institutions contribute and

give back enormously to the community and surrounding areas. The article discusses the

economy of the town and other financial institutions within the community. Numerous town

council and governments will be discussed along with other municipal services. A variety of

Human Services and resources Pembroke has to offer will be noted. The researchers will then

complete a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to configure the communities’ strengths and

weakness to determine what services, resources or changes the community may need to enhance

development.

Keywords: Pembroke, N.C., community needs assessment, UNCP, Lumbee Tribe


INTRODUCTION

Observation of the Community of Pembroke, North Carolina

Pembroke, North Carolina is a small, Southern College town. Pembroke is the home of

the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Home of the Lumbee Tribe. When entering

Pembroke on highway 711, the first things that one sees are a water tower on the left that says,

“Welcome to the town of Pembroke home of the Lumbees,” and to the right, the newly built

Lumbee tribal building in the shape of a turtle. The reason for the tribal building being built in

the shape of a turtle is that the Lumbee culture believes the turtle is a symbol of wisdom

(Woolverton, 2010). The services offered in the Lumbee tribal building include: housing

assistance, assistance for military veterans, money to help low-income Lumbees with their

uitility bills, and maintenance of the official tribal members (Woolverton, 2010). The first

impression of the town of Pembroke is that of a typical, busy little college town which gives rise

to a very diverse population. The general impression is that the university is the reason for such a

diverse population. The town itself is only about two square miles, but this small community is

comprised of many layers. First, there is the outer layer, which can be seen when driving

through on 711, which turns into Main Street. There are businesses and modest homes visible

when one is just driving through. In comparison to the outer layer, the inner layer is what can be

seen when turning off any of the side streets in Pembroke. Then, there is the university layer,

which is located around the vicinity of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Geographic Characteristics

The town of Pembroke is carved out of a wide open flat parcel of land. The Lumber

River runs down the outskirts of town, separating it from the towns of Rowland, Laurinburg, and


Maxton. There are swamps surrounding the town on several sides, separating the town of

Pembroke from many of the smaller communities. Also, there are highways on every side of

Pembroke, making it very accessible from every direction. There are also railroad tracks, on

which cargo trains travel, going through Pembroke that stretch to the North, West, and South.

Economic Characteristics

Many economic characteristics can be observed in the small town of Pembroke. While

riding through the neighborhoods of Pembroke, it was noticeable that construction vans and

trucks were very common in home driveways. Also, while sitting at a busy gas station in the

middle of town on a Monday evening, observed were several sheetrock vans loaded with men

that appeared to be on their way home from work. The men (Lumbee Indians) were covered with

sheetrock dust and mud; and the look on their face’s suggested that they were tired and ready to

go home.

For a small town, there are many commercial enterprises, but most are large chains.

Pembroke has a McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Jersey Mikes, Taco Bell, Dominoes, Burger King,

and two Subways to choose from if you want fast food and several other restaurants all located

within a two square mile town. The fact that there are so many fast food restaurants in such a

small town can be attributed to the university and the large number of students and faculty.

There is a large True Value hardware store on the outskirts of town, which use to be a little

storefront on Main Street, before expanding and moving to a bigger location. Based on the

observation of the many construction workers in the Pembroke community, there was a need for

this larger hardware store. Pembroke also has a Wal-Mart and other national chain stores like


Advance Auto Parts, and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Pembroke is the headquarters for

HealthKeeperz, which is a home health care service.

Observations can be made that would suggest there is a vast amount of unemployment in

the town of Pembroke as well as some drug activity. During one of these observations, people

were digging in dumpsters and looking for aluminum cans to sell while a group of women were

standing around the dumpster - one of them holding a 40 oz. bottle of beer in broad daylight.

Another sign of unemployment is that panhandlers can be seen at various stores in the area. At

one store, a woman was asking for money to buy food because she said she was diabetic, and her

sugar had dropped because she needed something to eat. This was not an isolated incident; it is

very common for people to approach customers of area stores in Pembroke for money.

There are four grocery stores in the town of Pembroke. There is a Wal-Mart, Food-Lion,

a Piggly Wiggly, and Bo’s. Bo’s is a local chain of grocery stores and the other three are larger

chains. Often seen, are people walking to and from the grocery stores in town because there is

no public transportation, and walking is the only way that they can get the food they need for

their families.

Since there is no public transportation for the residents of Pembroke, they rely on their

own automobiles to get where they need to be. The cars that are seen in Pembroke are just as

diverse as the people. The types of cars that are seen, like everything else, depends on where the

cars are located in Pembroke. The cars passing through are usually nicer than the ones that can

be seen in the parking lots of the government housing complexes. The cars in the housing

complexes are older and in obvious need of repair. The cars that can be observed in the parking

lots at the student housing complexes are newer and in better shape.


There are not many billboards in the town of Pembroke, but there are some advertising

local attorneys, insurance agencies, and health care agencies. The most common signs observed

advertise the many student housing complexes. These signs can be seen at numerous

intersections throughout the town. Also, there are signs posted in various places within the

university campus advertising things such as football games and various other student-related

opportunities and events.

Social Characteristics

There is a wide variety of people that can be observed while in Pembroke. Again, this is

contributed to the diverse population of the University. While making observations at Wal-Mart

on a Friday evening around 7:00, a very diverse population was noticed. There were younger

people of all races, usually in groups of four of five, which brings forth the assumption that they

were college students. However, most of the families and older people observed were Lumbee.

It is assumed that, if it were not for the university, the town of Pembroke would not be as diverse

as it appears to be.

The natives of Pembroke seem to be very friendly. While riding around making

observations, it was noticed that if a Lumbee person was in his or her yard, he or she would

always wave. Some would not even look up from what they were doing; they just knew

someone was going by and waved. In one instance, a man was working on a vehicle in his yard

and waved without looking up from what he was doing. In contrast, students of the University

were more indifferent - most were observed walking down the major road that ran down the

University and were either on the phone or texting and seldom even looked up.


There are formal and informal meeting places around the town of Pembroke. One of the

informal meeting places is Linda’s. Linda’s is a restaurant where the older population likes to

gather for lunch and talk about politics and things that are going on in the community. The

formal meeting halls are the town hall, local churches, and the Lumbee tribal building.

There are about seven different churches in Pembroke which represent various religions.

These include: Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal Holiness, Church of God, and Mormon. Most of

these churches seem to be in very good condition. In fact, one of the churches has recently

begun to add a new addition. Also, many of these churches operate as local charity

organizations.

There are no distinguishable bars in Pembroke, but the town recently passed the liquor by

the drink law about two years ago, so there are restaurants that serve alcohol. The two

restaurants that serve alcohol are a Mexican restaurant, which is called San Jose’s, and a little

restaurant called Mighty J’s. Mighty J’s sometimes has live music on the weekends, so they

would be the closest Pembroke comes to having a bar. This restaurant/bar is located directly

across from the university campus and caters mostly to the attending college students.

The town recently built a new recreational facility called Pembroke Recreation Complex.

The complex is very nice; it has basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground,

and walking trails. The complex is a welcome addition because there are no other public

recreational centers with regard to sports in the town of Pembroke. There is, however, an indoor

batting cage facility located behind Sheff’s seafood restaurant on 4th street.

Overall, the housing conditions in the town of Pembroke are not good, with exception of

the new student housing complexes. The homes in the outer layer are very modest, but most


seem to be kept up, which, in contrast, those in inner layer are not kept up, and many are boarded

up and abandoned. Also observed, were several homes that have been partially burned down.

There are many homes and lots for sale all over the community. With so many people in the

community that work in construction, many of these homes could be repaired, and the

community would look much better. However there are no signs of construction or home repair

in the community. The student housing complexes, nevertheless, are newly built and well

maintained. Some of the complexes have pools, pool houses, and beaches to play volleyball. It

seems like a different world compared to the inner layer.

Political Characteristics

There were many political characteristics observed in the town of Pembroke. One

characteristic is the condition of the roads and sidewalks in Pembroke. The roads are like

everything else in Pembroke; the condition depends on where the roads are located. The roads

on the outer layer are well maintained, but the ones in the inner layer turn to dirt roads in some

places due to all the wear and lack of upkeep. The roads that run parallel to the university are in

excellent condition in comparison. Another characteristic is that there are campaign signs on

every corner representing candidates for the Lumbee tribal chairman election. In addition, there

are three public schools which include: Pembroke Elementary, Pembroke Middle, and Purnell

Swett High School. Upon observing these schools, they seemed to be in decent condition. As

well, there are two different public libraries in the Pembroke community. There are no official

newspapers for the town of Pembroke. However, the people who reside in the town of Pembroke

receive a monthly issue of Native Vision. Native Vision is a free publication which contains

articles about the history and future of the Lumbee people. Pembroke residents also have access

to the Robesonian newspaper from the nearby city of Lumberton. Furthermore, there are several


volunteer agencies. Those which were observed include: Boys and Girls Club, Palmer

Prevention, and The Healing Lodge.

Map of Pembroke and Surrounding Areas

Note: City-data-Pembroke.com (2011).

Demographics and Housing

Pembroke, North Carolina is a constantly growing community. Pembroke is

recognized as “Home of the Lumbees”. The Lumbees are the majority of the Pembroke

population, which accounts for 1,975 of the total population. The overall population of

Pembroke is 2,973. Males represent 1,345 of this population with an overall percentage of

45.2, whereas, females represent 1,628 of this population, with an overall percentage of 54.8

(U.S. Census, Bureau Pembroke Demographics, 2010). According to the U.S. Census

http://www.city-data.com/city/Pembroke-North-Carolina.html


Bureau, Pembroke Demographics (2010); Caucasians are the next largest population in

Pembroke, and have a total of 489 people. African Americans are the next largest population

in Pembroke; the African American population represents 367 people, which is 12.3 % of the

total population. The Asian population accounts for 17 people. Finally, Asians only make up

0.6 % with other populations dropping tremendously down to maybe one Filipino and

Japanese persons (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Demographics (2010).

Then there are mixed races of people who live in the Pembroke community. These

races consist of two or more races. Caucasian and American Indian are comprised of 35

people. Caucasian and Asian include seven people, and Caucasian and Black comprise 14

people (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Demographics, 2010).

The pie charts below indicate the female population by age, and the male population

by age for the Pembroke area. The chart on the female and male population by age indicates

women ages 50 to 54 comprise the highest population for females, serving as 20% of this

gender population, and men ages 20 to 24 comprise the highest population for males in the

city of Pembroke, serving as 19% for this gender population (U.S. Census, Bureau, Pembroke

Demographics, 2010).


Note: (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Demographics, 2010)


9%

8%

6%

10%

19%6%

5%

5%

4%

5%

4%

5%

4%3%

2% 2%1% 1%

Male Poulation by Age

under 5 5 to 9 10 to14 15 to 1920 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 3940 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 5960 to 64 65 to 69 70 to 74 75 to 7980 to 84 85 and over

Note: (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Demographics, 2010)


Housing

According to City-data.com (2011); Pembroke consists of 1,116 housing units, 996

occupied units, 383 owner occupied units, and 613 renter occupied units; with 82 vacant

homes.

According to the chart above retrieved from City-data.com (2011); home sales for

Pembroke’s median price was on rise for sales in 2008, over $140,000. In the year 2000, the

median house or condo sale was $64,700 in comparison to 2009, when the median was $64,

644 (City-data.com, 2011). Mobile home renters comprise 4.5% on average, and detached

owner occupied units comprise an average of 33.9% (City-data.com, 2011). The mobile

home housing units have a median value of $47,100. Twenty of the homes lack complete

plumbing facilities, and 20 homes lack complete kitchen facilities (U.S. Census Bureau,

Pembroke Housing, 2010). Pembroke, North Carolina encompasses 1,266 housing units. Out


of the 1,266 homes; 1,132 of the homes are occupied (U.S. Census Bureau Pembroke

Housing, 2010). Occupied units paying rent comprise 626. The cost of rent in Pembroke

ranges from $200.00-$1500.00 or more. The Majority of renters pay $500.00 to $749.00 a

month for rent in Pembroke (U.S. Census Bureau Pembroke Housing, 2010).

Household type by Relationship

There are 2,569 households in Pembroke; of these households 2,243 are family

households (City-data.com, 2011). According to City-data.com (2011), male householders

represent 246, and female householders represent 396. The majority of people in the family

household population are the children whom are natural, adopted, or step-children (City-

data.com, 2011). Natural children in the home comprise 911, 52 are adopted, and 17 are step-

children. Spouse comprise 291 of in family households, grandchildren comprise 123, and

brothers and sisters; 59 (City-data.com, 2011). Then, 23 parents, 65 other relatives, and 60

non-relatives (City-data.com, 2011). According to U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Housing,

(2010), single-parent households comprise the majority of the household population in

Pembroke. There are 30 single-parent males, and 415 single-parent females. Two-hundred

and thirty-three couples are married with children. The family size for family households in

Pembroke are 187with two persons, 155 with three persons, 150 with four persons, 108 with

five persons, 30 with six persons, and 12 with seven or more persons (U.S. Census Bureau

Pembroke Housing, 2010).


Household Income

Percentage of families with income below-poverty level in the past 12 months.

All families26.00%

with related children under 18 years 37.50% with related children under 5 years 36.80%

14.40%Married couple families 14.40% with related children under 18 years 17.30% With related children under 5 years. 0.00%Families with female householder, no husband present 47.40% with related children under 18 years 63.10% with related children under 5 years only 100.00%

All People 39.00%Under 18 years 50.20%Related children under 18 years 49.60%Related children under 5 years 77.50%18 years and over 43.90%18 to 64 years 33.20%65 years and over 35.10%People in families 19.60%Unrelated individuals 15 years and over 37.00%

Note: (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Economics, 2010)


0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

Note: City-data-Pembroke.com (2011).

The chart above, retrieved from City-data.com (2011), implies the household income

according to race in the Pembroke area is lowest for American Indians and Native people.

American Indians and Native people’s income is less than $20,000 a year; next to some other

race households, comprised below $10,000 a year.

Poverty among the Pembroke Community

Twenty- six percent of the Pembroke population account for below poverty level

families (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Economics, 2010). There are 100% of the families

at the poverty level with related children in the home under five years old. Females with no

husband in the home represent 47.4 % of the below poverty level families; married couples

comprise much lower for below poverty levels, serving as 14.4 % of this population


Note: (U.S. Census Bureau Economics, 2010)

The pie chart above indicates females with families and no husband present comprise

84.90 % of the poor families by type (U.S. Census Bureau, Economics, 2010).

Economic Characteristics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Economics (2010); the civilian

employed population at age sixteen and over is the highest among all the other populations.

The unemployment rate in 2011; according to statistics conducted from City-data.com (2011)

comprise 12.2 %. Seven-hundred and eighty five people of the Pembroke population comprise

the civilian worker. The professional occupations comprise the next highest occupational field

at 240. Construction and maintenance workers hold many of the jobs in the Pembroke area,

comprising 225; most of the construction workers in the Pembroke area are self-contractors.

Then, the self-employed (not incorporated business workers) comprise 2.9 %. Next, private

wage and salary workers; these comprise 69% of the population. Workers who are employed

through the government comprise 28.0 % of the working population. Lastly, the labor force

Poor Families by Family Type

Married couple family

Female no husband present

Male no wife present

15.1%


for the Pembroke district comprise 885, representing 50.5% of the total population (U.S.

Census Bureau, Pembroke Occupations, 2009).

Note: (City-data.com, 2011)

14%

8%7%

6%

6%

3%3%

Most Common Occupations in 2005-2009(%) Among Males

Construction trades workers except carpenters,electricians,painters, plumbers, and construction LaborersPost- Secondary TeachersElectrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisorsOther production occupations including supervisorsBuilding and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupationsLaborers and material movers, handLaw enforcement workers including supervisors


Note: (City-data.com, 2011).

Community Profile based on Census Data

After viewing the data for the city of Pembroke, there were some facts that were found

striking. First, 26% of Pembroke’s population lives under the poverty level. Second, the

unemployment rate was a staggering 12.2 %. Third, 36.80 % of the populations are families

with children under the age of five (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke Poverty Levels, 2010).

Also, over half of the poor families consisted of females with no husband present, which

represents 84.90% of the population (City-data.com, 2011).

Another astonishing fact the data implied is that the Native American’s household

income was the lowest in comparison to all other populations within the Pembroke area

9%

7%

6%5%

5%

5%

4%

Most Common Occupations among females 2005-2009 (%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (9%)

Cashiers (7%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (6%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (5%)

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (5%)

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (5%)

Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)


(below $20,000 yearly). While Lumberton had a population of 19,033 more than Pembroke,

Lumberton’s median household income for Native Americans was only $2,111 in 2009 (City-

data.com,2011). Thirty percent of the jobs for males in this area are construction workers;

this explains a lot about the unemployment rate in this area (U.S. Census Bureau, Pembroke

Economics, 2010).

When comparing Pembroke to Lumberton, Lumberton, comprises 19,033 more people

than Pembroke. The overall Population for Lumberton is 21,587, comprising 14.3% of Native

Americans. The median Household income for Lumberton in 2009 was $23,766, and family

median income $38,538; whereas Pembroke’s household income in 2009 was $21,655(City-

data.com, 2009). Lumberton’s poverty status was at a level of 25.9 %, with the median age at

35.3. In comparison to Lumberton, 26% was the poverty status for Pembroke (City-data.com,

2011).

African Americans in the Lumberton area account for 7,369, which makes them the

majority of the population (City-data.com, 2011). The bulk of the houses in Lumberton are

owner occupied at 57.7%, which means more of this population are home buyers than renters.

In the Lumberton area 9.20 % of the population is below the poverty level; much lower than

Pembroke (City-data.com, 2011). The following chart reveals the population characteristics

of Pembroke compared to the adjacent Maxton and Red Springs.


PEMBROKE MAXTON REDSPRINGS

POPULATION 2,485 2,724 3,499FEMALES 1,419 1,480 1,922MALES 1,066 1,244 1,577AMERICAN INDIAN ALONE

2,010 798 157

BLACK ALONE 262 2,021 1,536WHITE ALONE 306 633 1,284HISPANIC ALONE 5 N/A 246ASIAN 17 N/A N/ATWO OR MORE ETHNICITES

145 N/A 219

LAND AREA SIZE 2.34 sq. miles 2.23 sq. miles 2.83 sq. milesMEDIAN RESIDENT AGE

27.3 34.4 37.8

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$21,655 $21,074 $16,302

ESTIMATED MEDIAN HOUSE VALUE

$64,644 $68,556 $84,497

HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION OR HIGHER AMONG AGE 25 AND OLDER

69.1% 69.9% 69.7%

UNEMPLOYMENT 12.2% 12.2% 12.2%RESIDENTS LIVING BELOW POVERTY LEVEL

39.0% 40.8% 42.2%

MOST COMMON JOB Construction trades other than carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers.

Other production occupations including supervisors

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers

Note: (City-data.com, 2011).

After evaluating the observations in Pembroke, and conducting the statistics in

relation, it was found that the construction workers of Pembroke are a major contribution

toward the labor force in the community. The vans of these workers are prominent when

riding through the community. According to the statistics retrieved from the U.S. Census


Bureau Economics, (2010) these workers accounted for 14% of the labor force. Also, the

amount of people digging in dumpsters for cans to sell, along with others asking for money to

eat, is indeed a realization of the Pembroke community experiencing poverty.

Also noted, was the behavior of the Natives when riding through the community,

which portrayed hard workers who are friendly. However, one must question the low income

of this group, which represents the lowest among the community. Observing the community

and comparing it to the statistics conducted on the community, it was found that nine percent

of the female labor force adopted the retail jobs; the many franchised restaurants among the

area, along with privately owned restaurants, employ many jobs for the female population.

According to the data profile on Pembroke, North Carolina there are several indications

that this community has many needs. The Pembroke area not only employs a low-educational

level of occupations, but has many unmarried couples raising children alone under the age of

five. This data is important because it represents families in need of resources, occupations,

and adaptability of social well-being.

History, Community Leadership, Politics, Government, Human Services, and

Economics of Pembroke, NC

History

Town of Pembroke and Lumbee Tribe of N.C. According to the town of Pembroke

NC website, archeologists have discovered an amusing and elongated history of consistent

occupations along the Drowning Creek, currently known as the Lumber River. The Lumber

River flows throughout Pembroke, Robeson County and surrounding counties

(pembrokenc.com). Ancestor settlement, in what is called Pembroke today, sprouted alongside


the riverbanks of the Lumber River. Artifacts have been found in Pembroke that could be dated

back to as early as the Woodland period. This suggests that the Native American settlement

along the riverbanks was due to the bartering and trading among regions in what is today known

as the southeastern part of the U.S. (pembrokenc.com).

After colonial contact, tobacco pipes and other European made artifacts were traded

among the Native Americans from the French, Spanish and the English. These items had already

reached Pembroke way before the Europeans established their settlement. The Native people had

a tremendous supply of water and fish that were provided by the swamps, streams and artesian

wells. Creeks, swamps, pocosins, longleaf pines and “Carolina bays” continue to mark the

wetlands of Pembroke. These all provided, and still do, plenty of fish, vegetation, and numerous

food crops for the natives of Pembroke (pembokenc.com).

In 1725, colonial English surveyors mapped a village of Waccamaw Indians settled on

the Lumber River a few miles west of present-day Pembroke. In 1754, North Carolina Governor,

Arthur Dobbs, received a report that a “mixed crew” of 50 Indian families was living near the

Drowning Creek and that one of his surveyors who had entered the area to view the vacant land

was shot. This was the first written account of Native Americans that were descendants of the

Lumbee Tribe of N.C. (pembrokenc.com)

The Lowrie War of 1861-1874. The Lowrie war took place in and around Pembroke,

N.C.; it was reflected as one of the most notable controversial events in N.C. history. The war

was led by Henry Berry Lowrie. Lowrie, the leader of a clan of N.C. Indians, African Americans

and a few Whites conducted a seven-year guerilla war against the Confederacy in Pembroke and

surrounding towns in Robeson County. Henry Berry Lowrie seized a White revolutionary


doctrine to gain rights and freedoms that were being denied to Indians in Pembroke and the

surrounding towns (Oakley, 2006).

During the battle, Lowrie and his gang would escape into the surrounding swamps

throughout Pembroke to avoid being captured. As the war lingered, food became scarce and the

rebellious gang was forced to change tactics and began to raid farms and homesteads of the

wealthy and distribute them to the poor in Pembroke, N.C. Pembroke was then known as

“Scuffletown” which is also known as “Settlement.” Toward the end of the century it was

renamed after a railroad official named Pembroke Jones. Henry Berry Lowrie became a

legendary hero for the Lumbee people of Pembroke. Lowrie symbolized culture and political

boundaries that marked Robeson County as a community of self-determined Native American

Indians (Oakley, 2006).

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). In 1885, a Representative

from Robeson County named Hamilton McMillian presented a legislation that gave the Indians

of Robeson County a legal identity and schools of their own. On March 07, 1887 the N.C.

General Assembly enacted the legislation which created the Croatan Normal School. The school

was initially comprised of fifteen students and one teacher. The schools goal was to educate

more Native American teachers; and because of this, enrollment was limited to Native American

Indians of Robeson County (absoluteastronomy.com).

In 1909, the school moved to its present location, which was only a mile east of its

original location. In 1911, the name was changed to the Indian Normal School of Robeson

County, and in 1913, it was again changed to Cherokee Indian Normal School. In 1926 the

school changed from a primary/secondary school to a two year postsecondary normal school. In


1939, it became a four-year institution and was renamed Pembroke State College for Indians in

1941. By 1945 the college was opened to all federally recognized tribal members. The name was

then changed to Pembroke State College in 1949 and by 1953, White students were allowed to

attend, which accounted for 40% of the total enrollment. The case Brown v. Board of Education

eliminated any future race restrictions regarding education. In 1966, the college became

Pembroke State University (PSU). The first master’s program was implemented in in 1978. On

July 01, 1996 PSU became what we know today as the University of North Carolina at

Pembroke (UNCP) (absoluteastrononmy.com).

Today. As of 2010, the U.S. Census stated that the total enrollment of UNCP was 6,944

students with a 16:1 student to faculty ratio and the average class size was 21. According to the

U.S. News and World Report, Pembroke, N.C. is the most diverse and safest town among the

UNC school system. According to their motto, UNCP is “where learning gets personal”

(uncp.edu).

The authors identify with the Native American population as the “old-timers” and the

college population as the “new-comers” of Pembroke. The authors observed that the groups seem

to interact and relate well with each other. Each group can learn a lot from each other about

different aspects among each group. The “old-timers” root their cultural values, beliefs and

traditions within the town of Pembroke, but at the same time they are welcoming of other “new-

comers”, populations and cultures to the town. UNCP has improved the economy of Pembroke.

The town has transformed from a few houses in town to many large apartment complexes built to

accommodate the growing college population.


Economy

Pembroke and U.S.

ECONOMY PEMBROKE, NC U. S. Unemployment Rate 12.20% 9.10%Recent Job Growth -0.31% -0.12%Future Job Growth 27.18% 31.25%Sales Taxes 6.75% 6.80%Income Taxes 8.25% 6.25%Income per Cap. $12,489 $27,067Household Income $24,297 $52,954

ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOMEIncome Less Than 15K 36.21% 12.10%Income between 15K and 25K 14.67% 10.18%Income between 25K and 35K 13.96% 10.56%Income between 35K and 50K 15.62% 14.98%Income between 50K and 75K 9.82% 19.53%Income between 75K and 100K 4.97% 12.52%Income between 100K and 150K 3.55% 12.14%Income between 150K and 250K 0.71% 3.91%Income between 250K and 500K 0.47% 3.34%Income greater than 500K 0.00% 0.75%

POPULATION BY OCCUPATIONManagement, Business, and Financial Operations 8.48% 13.81%Professional and Related Occupations 37.55% 22.68%Service 12.11% 14.51%Sales and Office 14.94% 25.22%Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 1.08% 0.68%Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance 18.17% 9.37%Production, Transportation, and Material Moving 12.92% 15.86%

Note: (www.bestplaces.net, 2010).

Pembroke has grown tremendously from the past. As noted in the table above from the

bestplaces.net website, the unemployment rate for the U.S. is 9.10% and for Pembroke alone it

ranks at 12.20 %. As depicted above job growth in Pembroke is -0.31%, but the future job

growth over next ten years is predicted to be 27.18%. The income per capita, including all adults

and children, is $12,489 and the median household income is $24,297 (bestplaces.net, 2010). In

the town of Pembroke the largest industry they have that would offer numerous jobs is probably

Wal-Mart. Fast-food, grocery stores, florists, salons and barbers, retail and similar jobs are in the


community, but not many professions are offered. UNCP is a large institution that provides the

community with many career opportunities as well. From personal knowledge many residents

are involved in the “underground economy.” Many are involved in black-marketing, gambling,

illegal drug sells, prostituting, lawn-care services, housecleaning, babysitting, and farming.

Hopefully, as social workers, we can contribute some help toward the future job growth within

the community of Pembroke to improve the economy.

Banks

Woodforest National Bank: Pembroke Wal-Mart at 930 Highway 711 E. Pembroke,

branch established on 10/26/2005. Bank assets: $3,279.3 mil, Deposits: $2,894.4 mil,

headquarters in Houston, TX, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 569

total offices, Holding Company: Woodforest Financial Group, Inc. (citydata.com).

Lumbee Guaranty Bank: at 403 East Third Street, branch established on 12/22/1971.

Bank assets: $0.3 mil, Deposits: $22.5 mil, local headquarters, positive income,

Commercial Lending Specialization, 12 total offices (citydata.com).

First Bank: Pembroke Branch: at 210 West 3rd Street, branch established on

03/01/1939.Bank assets: $ 3,359.3 mil, Deposits: $2,757.8 mil, headquarters in Troy, NC,

positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 98 total offices, Holding Company:

First Bancorp (citydata.com).

New Century Bank: Pembroke Branch 64 at 410 E. 3rd. St., branch established on

06/30/1988. Bank assets: $64.1 mil, Deposits: $54.9 mil, headquarters in Dunn, NC,

negative income in the last year, Commercial Lending Specialization, 9 total offices,

Holding Company: New Century Bancorp, Inc. (citydata.com).

Pembroke also has a State Employees’ Credit Union (mapquest.com). Most of the banks

in Pembroke offer personal, residential, online and telephone banking. They provide 24-hour

ATM, safe deposit boxes, debit cards, loans, savings, investments, cd’s, loans and many

more services to assist the communities’ financial needs.


Other Economic Institutions

Fleetwood Enterprises is the largest manufacturing industry in the area and is known as

“The Number One plant of America’s Largest Home Builder”. They have received many awards

and employ over 600 people (pembrokenc.com). The Carolina Commerce and Technology

Center, Inc. (Comtech) is another notable innovation that has improved Pembroke’s economy

over time. Comtech is a non-profit, corporation which began operation in January 2001. It is

responsible for developing an education and training centre surrounded by 620 acres zoned for

business and industry. The site is the home of technology-focused business, industry, education,

training and business incubation facilities (pembrokenc.com).

Through observational studies, the authors noticed that UNCP is a large profitable

contributor to the community. Wal-Mart is another large economic institution in Pembroke. Both

instututions provide locals and many out of town workers job opportunities. Drywall is a popular

occupation of many residents of the small rural community. Downtown Pembroke has a few fast

food restaurants, florists, small clothing stores, convenient stores, three grocery stores, salons

and barbers, small insurance companies, two car-washing facilities, three funeral services, many

mechanics and auto part stores, jewelry stores, a Christian Bookstore, few drugstores, doctors’

offices, mental health agencies, fitness centers, fish markets, many Native stores, and other small

businesses that provide trade and industry in this town. There is also a television broadcast

station named WLPS-LP on Channel 7 located in Pembroke. It serves areas in

Lumberton/Pembroke, NC and is owned by Billy Ray Locklear (citydata.com). UNCP also has a

TV broadcast station WNCP-TV (uncp.edu).


Politics and Government

Town Council

The Mayor of Pembroke is Milton Ray Hunt and the town manager is McDuffie

Cummings. The town Council consists of Greg Cummings, A. G. Dial, Larry Brooks and Larry

McNeill, all in which are members of the Lumbee Tribe of N.C. (pembokenc.com). The Seventh

District, including Pembroke, U.S. Representative is Congressman Mike McIntyre (uncp.edu).

Pembroke Police and Safety

In 2010, the town of Pembroke consisted of fifteen full-time law enforcement employees.

Eleven of the fifteen were officers or the Town of Pembroke Police Department (citydata.com).

According to the UNCP’s Police and Safety Department website, the department consists of a

full-service 13 member law enforcement agency responsible for the protection of the people and

property on UNCP campus. They provide the campus with police protection 24-hours a day, 365

days a year (uncp.edu).

Other Municipal Services

The town of Pembroke has an Ambulance/Rescue Squad. They provide emergency

medical and rescue services to the Pembroke and Robeson County area. The squad operates two

ambulances and one Heavy Rescue Unit (Duncan, 2009). Pembroke also has a Town Hall, Town

Clerk, Post Office, Fire Department, Public Works Department, Courthouse, Magistrate Office,

and Chamber of Commerce (pembrokenc.com).


Lumbee Tribal Government and Services

According to the Lumbee Constitution, the tribe’s Executive Branch upholds all

executive powers including implementation and compliance with annual budgets. The Tribal

Chairperson upholds these duties and shall faithfully execute all the laws of the Tribe. The tribal

Chair is the Honorable Sharon Hunt (lumbeetribe.com). The Legislative Branch has the power to

enact ordinances of the Lumbee Tribe of N.C. These duties shall reside in the Tribal Council.

The Lumbee Tribal Council is currently comprised of 21 members elected from 14 districts

(lumbeetribe.com). The Judicial Branch resides in the Lumbee Tribal Supreme Court and such

inferior courts that the Tribal Council may establish. The Supreme Court of the Lumbee

Constitution shall have original jurisdiction over all cases and controversies arising under the

Lumbee Constitution and all ordinances of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

(lumbeetribe.com). The Lumbee’s Supreme Court Justices are Chief Justice Gary Locklear,

Justice Darlene Holmes Ransom, Justice David Locklear, and Justice Joel Garth Locklear, Jr.

with one justice seat vacant. The Tribe has an administrative court that handles cases regarding

administrative issues such as housing, enrollment, and energy assistance. These council members

include Deputy Tina Dicke, Mr. Alton Locklear, Fedelia Locklear, and Mr. Rodney Nichols

(lumbeetribe.com).

The agency offers numerous services to tribal members including children, adults, the

elderly, disabled, low-income, and many others. They offer services such as Tribal Boys & Girls

Clubs, Elder Services, Enrollment, Veterans affairs, Energy Assistance, Housing, Research and

Compliance and Vocational Rehabilitation to their members. The rate is so high among death

and motor vehicle accidents they have a Homicide and Motor Vehicle Deaths Prevention


program. The smoking rate among Lumbees is also high. Their two programs: The Lumbee

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program work together to stop the powerful addiction among

American Indian communities (A.C. Bryant, personal communication, April 13, 2011).

Notable Politicians

Ronnie Sutton is a lawyer from Pembroke. He has recently filed for his tenth term in the

N.C. House of Representatives. He has served nine terms in the State House serving the forty-

seventh House District. He is the only American Indian serving in the General Assembly (Shiles,

2011). Brantley Blue was born in Pembroke, N.C. He was the first Lumbee Indian to become a

lawyer. He received his degree from Pembroke State College in 1946 (Robeson County Board of

Education, 1979). Dr. James B. Chavis served as Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs at PSU,

today UNCP, from 1972-1999.He was the first Indian to serve as ombudsman for the Governor

of N.C. (Robeson County Board of Education, 1979). UNCP’s Student Center is named in

remembrance of Dr. Chavis (uncp.edu). Mr. Earlie Maynor was from Pembroke and was the

third Indian Mayor of Pembroke. He was appointed the first Director of the N.C. Commision of

Indian Affairs (Robeson County Board of Education, 1979). Ms. Brenda Brooks is a Lumbee

Indian who served as a member of the N.C. Commission on Civil Rights and the N.C. Civil

Liberties Union (Robeson County Board of Education, 1979). Along with Henry Berry Lowrie,

there are many other notable politicians from Pembroke, N.C.

Human Resources

Societal resources include institutionalized organizations, private or public agencies,

family services, libraries, etc. There are many childcare, home health, mental health services and

a day treatment program that are available to families (pembrokechamber.com). As previously


mentioned, the Lumbee Tribe is a council government that also provides human services and is

also a form of a societal resource. The Lumber River Council of Government (LRCOG) is

another societal resource offered in Pembroke, N.C. (lumberrivercog.org, 2011)

Lumber River Council of Government (LRCOG)

The Lumber River Council of Governments provides a variety of services to the

community. Some include the administration of Federally-funded programs such as Older Adult

Services and Workforce Training. Others are State-initiated and funded efforts such as

Community Development, Housing and Water Resource Planning (lumberrivercog.org,

2011). The Workforce Development Staff provide economic development, education, training

and employment to its members of the community and surrounding counties. The Technical

Assistance Staff is focused to provide research and data services, grant writing and

administration to build the community through housing rehabilitation, neighborhood planning

and rural transportation planning, and to retain jobs (lumberrivercog.org, 2011). They offer

Aging Programs and services such as Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Family Caregiver

Support Program, Senior Games, Project C.A.R.E and REACH II Programs, Older Adult

Nutrition, Senior Tarheel Legislature and a Senior Community Services Employment Program

(lumberrivercog.org, 2011).

Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA)

Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA) located in Pembroke has received

state and federal support to operate programs and services to improve the quality of life for

Lumbee tribal members of Pembroke and surrounding communities. LRDA is widely recognized

by the Lumbee people, the federal government, the State of North Carolina, other states,

foundations, funding entities, and other Indian Tribes and urban Indian organizations as an


organization that serves Lumbee people. The administration of LRDA includes the Board of

Directors, the Executive Director, Fiscal Officer, Planner, and Public Relations Officer

(lumbee.org).

LRDA is committed to providing a range of valuable services that assist disadvantaged

Indian people. The organization works in conjunction with a number of governmental

organizations to provide services and improve social and economic conditions in Lumbee

communities (lumbee.org). LRDA's mission is to continuously assess the needs of Indian people

and others in our service area (Pembroke and surrounding areas), work to improve the quality of

life, develop and/or obtain resources to fill the gap in the ongoing provision of social, health,

economic, housing, education, job development and training services to meet the needs of the

client population (lumbee.org).

Libraries

Pembroke has two libraries. The Pembroke Public Library is affiliated with the system

that serves Robeson County, N.C. (publiclibraries.com, 2011). The second library is the Mary

Livermore Library located on UNCP’s campus. Its mission is to provide resources for research

related with UNCP’s Programs. It is also open to the general public; however, only students are

allowed to check out material and various other privileges (uncp.edu).

Palmer Prevention Inc.

Palmer Prevention Inc. is a private nonprofit agency that was established in Robeson County

in 1992. It is located on Main St in Pembroke N.C. Their mission is to prevent, delay, or reduce

the use of alcohol and other drugs among our youth and their families in Robeson County. The

following are programs they offer the community and surrounding areas (palmerprevention.com,

2009):

http://www.librarytechnology.org/libraries.pl?Institution=Robeson%20County,%20NC


Prevent Underage Drinking

To Reduce Alcohol Related Crashes

DWI/DUI, Assessments, & Counseling

My Fair Lady

Alternative HIV & Syphilis Testing

Keeping My Child Drug Free

Guiding Good Choices

Child/Adolescent Treatment Services

Adult Intensive Outpatient Services

Churches

Formal resources relates to membership, organizations, fraternities, churches,

unions, and professional associations the community has to offer. Pembroke is a very

rural Southern Religious community. There are over thirty churches of different

denominations located within the city limits of Pembroke, N.C. (churchangel.com, 2011).

For the Lumbees, church is more than a religious experience; it is their most important

social activity. The churches have Sunday schools, youth organizations, senior citizen's

programs, Bible study programs, food drives, and choir practices. Since congregations

tend to draw members from several different elements, these activities serve to integrate

the community. It is not uncommon for members of the same household to attend

different churches. Most churches have choirs that sing on Sunday and occasionally

attend other churches to share in the religious experience (lumbee.org). The college also

offers a variety of religious associations.


Kiwanis of Pembroke

Pembroke has a Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers

dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. Their mission is

to offer service and leadership opportunities to those who desire to serve the needs of

children, youth and adults in our communities (carolinas.kiwanisone.org).

Business and Professional Women’s Organization (BPW-NC)

North Carolina Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW-

NC Federation) is a network of North Carolina women who are committed to achieving

full equity for all women in education, government, business and the community (bpw-

nc.org). Pembroke has a branch of this membership organization (D. Blue, personal

communication, November, 01 2011).

Informal resources relate to services provided within family members, co-

workers, friends, and neighbors. Pembroke is a very close-knit community. Many

families use neighbors to take them places, take care of kids, support groups, borrow

things and assist each other in numerous ways. The college students are just as close and

provide the same services to their peers. The may even wash each other’s clothes, loan

each other money, and provide many other services. Community and family members

may give their friends or neighbors job duties. They may also schedule play dates for the

kids. Moreover, co-workers may carpool. In today’s society we must utilize all available

resources.


Summation and Conclusion

The town of Pembroke has a strong cultural history and background with the

vulnerable population of American Indians. Pembroke’s cultural context ties in with the

history of UNCP. UNCP is a great contributor to the growth of Pembroke and its

economy. Hopefully, in the future, the old-timers and new-comers will continue to learn

and grow together as one community for to better develop the township.

The Lumbee Tribe and LRDA offers the community and surrounding areas some

great opportunities of better living to their tribal members. One weakness of the services

is that they are only offered to Lumbee tribal members. Numerous college students could

benefit from the services as well. Maybe in the near future, the community will expand

and offer similar services to college students as well as other minority groups in need of

assistance. The town does not have a homeless shelter, domestic violence center, or rape

crisis center that could all be helpful for the community.

In the beginning, the natives of Pembroke had to fight for their rights and they

still are today. They know what it is like to have everything you ever possessed or owned

to be taken away and left with nothing. Many residents of Pembroke are still living below

the poverty line, unemployed, and are forced to commit crimes just to survive

(citydata.com). This occurrence is very similar to that of Henry Berry Lowrie, who was

forced to become rebellious as he was fighting for his rights, and was forced to commit

crimes in order to survive and feed the poor. Many of our vulnerable populations are

forced to follow the lifestyle of Lowrie’s because they cannot find other helpful resources


that are available. As social workers we must become culturally competent of the

populations we are working with. We must empower vulnerable populations and help

them find the resources they need and that are available for them.


References

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Duncan, Kim. (2009). Pembroke rescue squad. Retreived from http://www.usda.gov

Econonmy of Pembroke, N.C. (2010). Sperling’s BestPlaces. Retrieved from

http://www.bestplaces.net

Kiwanis Carolinas District. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://carolinas.kiwanisone.org

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http://www.lumbee.org

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Government. Retrieved from http://www.lumbeetribe.com

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