Stanly Adult Care Center Inc.

When Sandy Carelock left behind a 35-year career in occupational therapy, she wasn't retiring—she was rising to a call. That call would ignite a countywide effort, transform a vacant facility into a hub of compassionate care, and establish the Stanly Adult Care Center, Inc.—the first certified adult day health center in Stanly County.

With a clear-eyed vision and a heart rooted in service, Sandy set out to build something her community lacked: a safe, local place where adults needing daytime health care and supervision could receive support—without leaving the county they call home.

But what began with a building and a dream was soon met with staggering challenges.  "There was no board, no staff, no policies—nothing," Sandy recalls. "Just a building, a seed of funding, and the belief that this community deserved better."

From Vision to Reality—with the Community's Help

Launching a healthcare nonprofit is never simple—but starting from scratch, while navigating state certification requirements, renovating an aging facility, and raising additional capital would test even the most seasoned leader. Sandy leaned heavily on her faith—and a trusted local resource: the Stanly Community College Small Business Center (SCC SBC).

Her first phone call was to the SBC. Within three days, they were mapping out a strategic plan.

"Their support empowered us to move forward with confidence, knowing we were not alone," Sandy said.

Over the next two years, the SCC SBC provided more than 24 hours of one-on-one counseling and over 90 hours of training, guiding the organization through complex steps, including board formation, compliance, nonprofit governance, grant writing, financial planning, and policy development.

They also helped Sandy and her volunteer board craft a sustainable roadmap—one that would lead to:

• Securing $1 million in grant funding from the North Carolina General Assembly
• Hiring a core team of three full-time employees (with more positions to follow)
• Partnering with local businesses and tradespeople to complete facility renovations
• Launching a nonprofit poised to serve over 80 individuals weekly across five counties: Stanly, Montgomery, Anson, Rowan, and Cabarrus

The ripple effect of this effort extends far beyond healthcare. Local construction, hardware, and lawn care companies were contracted for the renovation, bringing a tangible economic boost to the region.

And the generosity didn't stop there. Local groups like Juneberry Ridge (which built and donated therapeutic raised garden beds), Seven Oaks Doors and Hardware (which donated custom doors), and even SCC's welding program (which created and donated the facility's sign) stepped up to contribute.

More Than a Care Center

What Sandy and her board built is more than a care facility—it's a symbol of what happens when a community rallies around a shared purpose. The Stanly Adult Care Center will offer not just health support, but dignity, engagement, and connection.

With features like a walking trail, a beauty salon, occupational therapy-informed activity programs, and plans for intergenerational learning through academic partnerships, the center reflects a broader goal: to become a cornerstone of compassionate care in Stanly County for years to come.

"The courtyard, especially, reminds me of what can grow when a community believes in something together," Sandy said.

A Faith-Fueled Mission

Throughout her journey, Sandy leaned on her faith as much as her professional training.

"God opened doors, placed the right people in our path, and revealed each step when we needed it most," she said. "The SCC SBC, Uwharrie Bank, our contractors, volunteers—none of them were accidents. They were provisions."

Now, as the center prepares to open its doors in August 2025, Sandy reflects on what it took to get here.

"This was never about one person. It was a community-driven response to a community need."

Thanks to unwavering determination, powerful partnerships, and the steadfast guidance of the Stanly Community College Small Business Center, that response is now a reality.