Our Homes, Our Votes Hits the Road to Support Mini-Grant Partner HELP Carolina's Juneteenth Celebration

By Tia Turner, NLIHC Project Manager, Our Homes, Our Votes 

NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes (OHOV) campaign recently kicked off its mini-roadshow series by joining OHOV mini-grant partner at HELP Carolina for its Juneteenth community celebration in Gastonia, North Carolina. The event brought together more than 2,000 community members for a day of education, celebration, and community engagement centered on the significance of Juneteenth and the continued pursuit of equity and justice. 

OHOV was one of many community partners participating in the event and had the opportunity to connect directly with residents about the importance of civic engagement and the role housing plays as a critical election issue. Throughout the day, attendees visited community resource tables, learned about voter engagement opportunities, and connected with organizations working to strengthen communities across North Carolina. 

The celebration featured presentations on the history and significance of Juneteenth, live musical performances, cultural programming, and opportunities for residents to engage with local organizations and community leaders. The event highlighted the power of bringing communities together not only to celebrate Black history and resilience, but also to build awareness around issues that directly impact residents' lives. 

NLIHC in Gastonia, North Carolina   Photo credits: Tia Turner and Kayla Gilchrist

As the nation moves closer to the 2026 midterm elections, events like HELP Carolina's Juneteenth celebration demonstrate the important role community-based organizations play in connecting civic participation to everyday issues such as housing, economic opportunity, education, and health. Trusted local organizations are often best positioned to engage residents in conversations about their communities, encourage civic participation, and help ensure that historically underrepresented voices are heard. 

HELP Carolina is one of 50 organizations participating in the 2026 OHOV Mini-Grant Program. Through the program, OHOV provides funding, training, technical assistance, and resources to support nonpartisan voter and civic engagement efforts led by affordable housing providers, resident-serving organizations, tenant associations, and community-based groups. The program is designed to help organizations integrate civic engagement into their existing work and build long-term civic participation among low-income renters and historically marginalized communities. 

The OHOV mini-roadshow was created to elevate the work of mini-grant partners, strengthen relationships with organizations on the ground, and showcase innovative approaches to nonpartisan civic engagement happening in communities across the country. Throughout the year, NLIHC staff will visit mini-grant partners to learn from their work, share resources, and highlight best practices that can inspire organizations nationwide. 

As the midterm election cycle approaches, OHOV looks forward to continuing to support partners across the country who are helping build civic power and strengthen democracy in the communities they serve. 

Subscribe to the OHOV Monthly Newsletter to receive the latest updates on voting rights, civic engagement resources, upcoming webinars, and opportunities to take action at the intersection of housing justice and democracy. Subscribe here. 

The next OHOV webinar, “What’s Next for Housing Advocates After Louisiana v. Callais.” This event will provide concrete, practical voter outreach strategies following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling. The webinar will take place on Monday, July 13, at 3:00 pm ET.  

Check your voter registration here.