The Gate of Lenoir County

The Gate of Lenoir County Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Gate of Lenoir County, Nonprofit Organization, 201 E Gordon Street, Kinston, NC.

Dawn Whitfield, Executive Director
To empower the youth of Lenoir County by providing transformative opportunities for personal growth, spiritual development, and leadership formation.

06/05/2026

Cutting For Purpose is here! ✂️👑🐊

Starting June 5, 2026, Ronde Whitfield, aspiring barber and former high school/college athlete, will be pouring back into the youth of Kinston through barbering and mentorship.

Youth at The Gate can earn haircuts for good behavior, passing grades, respect, discipline, and staying on target.

This is more than a haircut — it’s confidence, accountability, and purpose.

At Benefiting The Gate of Lenoir County, we don’t just serve kids — we build leaders.

05/12/2026

STEM Mondays at The Gate of Lenoir County was FULL of creativity, laughter, and imagination today! 🚀📚 Our friends from the Neuse Regional Library pulled up and our Gators got straight to work building planes—and listen… their imaginations took OFF! ✈️ From Grifton to Greenville, Texas to Puerto Rico, our future pilots and engineers had destinations all mapped out. After the final inspections, those planes launched and it was UP from there! 😂🔥

We also revisited our Mother’s Day celebrations and just enjoyed being kids—pure innocent fun, learning, teamwork, and joy. Days like this remind us we’re not just running an afterschool program… we’re cultivating future engineers, pilots, creators, leaders, and yes… a few comedians too! 👑

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05/05/2026

STEM Mondays at The Gate of Lenoir County = ENERGY, EDUCATION, and EXCITEMENT 🚀📚

When our friends from the Neuse Regional Library roll up with the Mobile Rover (aka the library on wheels), our Gators already know—it’s time to explore, learn, and LEVEL UP! From picking out books to actually reading them before the next visit… yeah, that’s what we call commitment 💪🏾

But let’s be real… the day doesn’t stop there 👀
We take it outside for that Gate fun—bottle games, relay races, laughs all around, and cooling off with freeze pops 🍧🔥

This is what learning looks like when it’s FUN, ACTIVE, and IMPACTFUL.

🚪 The Gate Will Be Closed This Friday!We’re taking a pause so everyone can get out and enjoy one of the best events in t...
05/01/2026

🚪 The Gate Will Be Closed This Friday!

We’re taking a pause so everyone can get out and enjoy one of the best events in town—BBQ Festival in Downtown Kinston! 🔥🍖

Go support, have fun, and take in the great food, music, and community vibes. We’ll be back soon, ready to serve you!

The Gate of Lenoir County is grateful for community partners who believe in our youth. A special thank you to Mary Lovi...
03/13/2026

The Gate of Lenoir County is grateful for community partners who believe in our youth. A special thank you to Mary Lovick and Greenlamp for their generous snack donations to support our Gators. Because of supporters like you, our programs now run Monday–Friday at no cost to the youth and families of Lenoir County.

Every snack, every helping hand, and every act of kindness helps fuel our mission to serve, empower, and uplift our Gators. We salute Mrs. Lovick and Greenlamp for answering the call.

To future sponsors, donors, and volunteers — join the mission. Your support helps us continue pouring into the next generation. When the community shows up, our youth win.

03/03/2026

Kinston royalty pulled up to The Gate! 👑

Legendary community leader Attorney Jimbo Perry stopped by and poured straight into our Gators with a simple but powerful acronym: DYB — Do Your Best.

He shared his personal journey of overcoming learning challenges and reminded our youth that greatness isn’t about perfection… it’s about effort, consistency, and believing in yourself. 💪🏾

When I called, he didn’t hesitate. That’s what real community looks like. He was moved by the new vision for The Gate of Lenoir County and has already committed to coming back regularly to keep empowering our youth in Lenoir County. That’s legacy. That’s leadership.

Tap into this reel and catch the depth of his quick but powerful DYB lesson. 🎥🔥

02/13/2026

🚨 STEM STAR ALERT 🚨

Our Gator Emori Whitfield from Southwood Elementary advanced from his school Science Fair to Lenoir County Public Schools, regional, and competed at East Carolina University! 🧪🔥

His project, “Dissolve The Rainbow,” explored how Skittles dissolve in different liquids — and had us all locked in. Around here, we’re calling him Dr. Whitfield 👨🏾‍🔬✨

He represented his school, district, and The Gate of Lenoir County with excellence. The future of STEM is BRIGHT!

02/10/2026

Snow tried it… but THE MISSION NEVER PAUSED.
After the blizzard, we’re right back in motion 🔥

✔️ Students back in Handwriting Camp
✔️ Our amazing partners from Neuse Regional Library pulled up with the Mobile Library AND delivered our STEM components 🧠🚐📖
✔️ Students shared their week-on-ice stories and turned real-life moments into learning opportunities

Let’s be clear—we are NOT a daycare.
We are NOT a traditional after-school program.

👉 We are an INCUBATOR.
Developing tomorrow’s leaders through behavior modification, structure, accountability, and high expectations.

We set the bar high—and we stay firm—because transformation requires commitment from BOTH sides: the child and the family. When you’re all in, so are we. 💯

🎥 Check out our First Day Back video and feel the energy! The Gate of Lenoir County

















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Stepping into 2026, our goal stays the same: keep showing up for our youth, supporting them, guiding them, and creating ...
01/05/2026

Stepping into 2026, our goal stays the same: keep showing up for our youth, supporting them, guiding them, and creating safe spaces for growth and success. 💚🐊

📣 Schedule Update:

Our first program day back on our regular schedule is Wednesday, January 7, 2026 2:30-5:30; including school pick-up and home drop-off.

Let’s make 2026 a year of impact! 💪🏾

12/20/2025

Merry Christmas 2025 from The Gate of Lenoir County ! 🎄🐊

This season, we’re not just celebrating a holiday — we’re celebrating hope, healing, and home.
At The Gate, Christmas looks like: warm meals, safe spaces, real love, and kids who know they matter.

To every volunteer who showed up, every family who trusted us, every supporter who sowed into the mission, and every young person who walked through our doors… THANK YOU.
Because of YOU, The Gate is still standing… and still changing lives.

From our family to yours:
May your home be filled with peace.
May your heart be filled with joy.
May your 2026 be filled with purpose.

Merry Christmas 2025. We love you, Lenoir County. ❤️





Address

201 E Gordon Street
Kinston, NC
28501

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 3pm - 9pm

Telephone

+12529393223

Website

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