“It’s the people and the feeling of community that make this place so special.”
That idea has stayed consistent for me, and it continues to shape how I understand St. James, not just as a place on the map, but as a living, evolving community. While many of my conversations about real estate tend to revolve around square footage, upgrades and pricing, my perspective has always extended further. Over time, working with buyers and homeowners throughout Brunswick County, I have seen that what ultimately defines the experience of living somewhere is not only the home itself, but the community that exists around it.
One of the best reflections of that in St. James Plantation is NEST, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by residents with a very specific purpose: helping neighbors remain independent and be able to continue living in their homes as they age. The concept of “aging in place” has become increasingly important, particularly for those planning long- term moves, and NEST addresses that need in a way that feels both practical and deeply personal. As Sheila Sullivan, Vice President of NEST, explains, “NEST is a nonprofit organization… to provide services to members… so that they can age in their home safely.”
Membership is intentionally simple, with an annual fee of $120 for individuals and $150 for households, but the value it provides extends far beyond the cost. Through a well- organized network of volunteers, members gain access to services that, at first glance, may seem small, but over time become essential to maintaining independence and continuity in daily life.
Practical Support That Becomes Essential Over Time
Among the services available to members are:
- Going My Way I – Transportation to appointments
- Going My Way II – Assistance with errands, grocery, and pharmacy shopping
- Helping Hands – Basic home support, including light maintenance and seasonal tasks
- Just Checking In I – In-home visits for companionship and short-term support
- Just Checking In II – Scheduled wellness phone calls
- Tech Connect – Assistance with home technology and devices. Seen individually, these services may appear modest.
Taken together, they form a support structure that allows residents to remain in their homes with confidence and dignity. This is something I consistently emphasize at work. Long-term livability is rarely determined by major features alone, but by the reliability of everyday support systems that quietly sustain independence over time. In that sense, a home is not simply a structure, but part of a broader ecosystem that either enables continuity or, in its absence, gradually limits it.
Leadership and Structure Behind the Scenes
Equally important is the structure that allows NEST to operate with consistency and purpose. The organization is guided by a dedicated board, including:
- Skip Shaw – President
- Sheila Sullivan – Vice President
- Barbara White – Compliance/Legal
- Karen Nelsen – Secretary
- Michele Anderton – Treasurer
- Corrie Bovier – President Emeritus
Supporting them are “Village Leader” volunteers who coordinate member relationships, oversee communications, manage technology systems, and ensure that the organization continues to function smoothly as it grows. This level of organization reflects careful planning and a shared commitment to sustainability, an understanding that meaningful community support does not happen by chance, but through intentional structure and ongoing involvement.
For me, this is where the conversation about real estate shifts in a meaningful way. A home is not only defined by its design or location, but by the environment it exists within.
By whether the community is prepared to support its residents not just today, but in the years ahead. Organizations like NEST offer a clear signal of that kind of foresight, demonstrating that St. James is not simply a place where people live, but a place where people have made a conscious investment in one another.
Through Discover NC Homes, I have built my approach around helping clients recognize these deeper qualities. It is not about complicating the decision-making process, but about bringing clarity to it, about understanding what truly matters once the excitement of the purchase has settled and everyday life begins.
In that sense, NEST becomes more than a service organization. It stands as a reflection of what makes St. James unique, and as a reminder that the true value of a home is shaped just as much by the people and community around it as by the walls within it.
