Community Assets

"….the quality and the dedication of the people here has really impressed me. The strength of this town is the quality of the people." -Resident

Robbins residents are proud of their community, and this sense of pride was illustrated during our interviews with community members and service providers. Residents spoke of their neighbors, community organizations, and community leaders as enhancing the quality of life in Robbins, emphasizing that the people are the greatest strength of the town. Residents also frequently mentioned the beauty and size of Robbins, and the strong importance of family as assets of the community. As one community member explained, "It's a hometown, small-town feeling. There's a strong emphasis on family and family roots; it's a caring community."

In interviews, residents often expressed that in times of need they could turn to their neighbors for help. Residents described a close-knit, caring community, in which community members worked together to achieve goals and address challenges. Most people considered their neighbors to be more than just the people that live next door. As one woman stated, "the whole town is my neighbor."

This strong sense of community cohesiveness was demonstrated during the two weeks of severe winter weather Moore County endured at the end of January 2000, in which many residents lost their power and heat. According to one community member, "we could not get out. People went up and down the road making sure that everyone had heat, food… power…. Everyone was sharing cell phones." This level of community support is evident not only in times of stress, but also when residents focus on a common goal for the town. As one resident articulated, "the strength of Robbins is its people, its ability to come together to reach a common goal, ability to pull together…." Community projects, such as the Robbins library and Milliken Park are examples of community members working together to improve the town. Residents formed a Robbins Library Committee to build a library in the town, and residents and school children sent letters to the state, asking for funding for Milliken Park. As a service provider pointed out, "when people have a mindset to get things done, they will do it."

Residents also spoke highly of the town's organizations that work to meet the needs of the community. Some examples they provided included the Meals on Wheels program, which serves lunch for seniors at Davis Community Center, and delivers lunch to area homebound seniors. In addition, annual health fairs are held by Saint Joseph's of the Pines and the Moore County Health Department that offer screenings and immunizations for children. Residents frequently mentioned the Northern Moore Family Resource Center, which provides services such as transportation, literacy classes, ESL classes, and a youth soccer league, as an important contributor in the community. The Christian Ministries, an ecumenical effort born out of the desire of local churches to pool resources for community outreach, was also described as a unifying force in Robbins. The Christian Ministries established a thrift store in town, and parishioners at participating churches take turns operating the store. Residents expressed pride in the relationships between the churches in town, and several community members spoke of the importance of the faith community in Robbins. In addition, community members also mentioned the dedication of the town leaders and service providers. Many noted the police force's high level of participation in the community. The police routinely call and check on elderly residents, and participate in the D.A.R.E. and C.A.R.E. programs at the elementary schools. The police force was recognized by the state in 1998 when they received the North Carolina community-policing award. Many residents spoke of the commitment of the town board and the mayor, as well as the local pastors and school administrators. Residents often expressed that they were fortunate to have such capable town leaders.

Residents were also proud of two of the town's favorite sons: Astronaut Charles Brady and North Carolina Senator John Edwards. One community member best expressed the town's sentiments: "we have produced some great people, some real hometown heroes." Many residents felt that members of the town share a common bond, and that being from the same town provided a connection among people.

In addition to a shared locality, some residents pointed to the size of Robbins, explaining that the small size of the town enables connections among residents. One community member stated, "you can walk down the streets of Robbins and you'll see somebody to speak to that knows you." Most residents believed the size of the town to be one of its greatest strengths; they explained that they know their children's teachers, they know their neighbors, and they know the history of the families in the town. One resident best articulated why knowing others in the town was important when she stated, "being small, you know the people in the community…that provides a sense of security for everyone." Community members also spoke of the advantages of raising a family in Robbins, citing the people, the schools, and that there are low levels of crime and substance use. As one resident stated, Robbins should be recommended to anyone who, "wants to see their kids growing in an area not that affected by drugs and alcohol." Other residents mentioned the fact that there is very little crime, and that the town members could, "walk up and down the street at night and feel safe." Most community members cited the quality of the school system as an important factor in their decision to raise a family in the area. The quiet, rural atmosphere was also often mentioned as conducive to raising a family.

Many community members enjoy the physical environment of their town. "I'd say it's healthier than a real congested city. You're able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and eat food that's grown at your house." Because of the country life, people can also take advantage of being outside. There are places to walk, children can ride bikes, and the park is available for additional outdoor activities. Most residents are very happy with the rural life that residing in Robbins provides. A community member described the rural peace Robbins offers: "I love to sit on my back porch and look at the woods and hear the birds sing."

The caring community spirit that embodies Robbins can be seen throughout all of the assets of the town. After all, it is the people who make the town what it is. According to many residents, Robbins has the foundation necessary to address its challenges: its people. "It is a caring community. There are a lot of people who care about each other. It tends to show [in] the schools we have, …we have a library; we have a lot of things that small communities don't have."

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