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The Vision Behind Cooperative Christian Ministry’s Rebuilders Campus

By Cindy Stone and Avalin Inman

Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM), a cornerstone nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local families move from crisis to restoration, is building more than just housing. Through a bold vision known as The Rebuilders Campus at Brown Mill Commons, CCM is constructing a future filled with opportunity, hope, and stability for individuals and families facing homelessness. 

Jeremy Burleson, Chief Relationship Officer at CCM, brings a unique energy and deep sense of purpose to the project, shaped by a 20-year career in NASCAR. “Face-to-face relationships and partnerships—that was always my jam,” Burleson says. With a business degree from NC State and years managing partnerships with global brands like Coca-Cola and Caterpillar at Richard Childress Racing, he now uses his talents to grow relationships that strengthen the social fabric of Cabarrus County. 

But the decision to transition from high-speed tracks to grassroots community impact was deeply personal. “I wasn’t being the husband or father I needed to be,” Burleson shares. “In 2019, my wife and I made the tough call to change course. It was a leap of faith—and in July 2020, I joined CCM.” 

Since then, Burleson and the Community Engagement team at CCM have cultivated partnerships and built a sustainable fundraising model that supports programs with tangible results. The work at CCM, he says, isn’t about selling a brand but saving lives. “We make sure there’s food on the table, that people can stay in their homes. I’m not on the front lines, but I’m helping ensure our frontline workers can do what they do best.” 

A Strategic Solution to a Growing Crisis

As Cabarrus County grows, so does its housing crisis. CCM identified this issue as a central goal in its 2025 Strategic Plan. “We realized we were only meeting the needs of about 10% of the homeless population,” Burleson explains. “We had the program that worked—we just needed to scale it.” 

Enter The Rebuilders Campus. Located at the historic Brown Mill property in Concord, the campus will provide transitional housing for families while also serving as a hub for education, employment, and wellness services. 

CCM’s transitional housing model serves people who fall into a gap—not eligible for emergency shelters or permanent subsidized housing, but still in need. “We help people develop a plan to stabilize their lives,” Burleson says. “Our success rates are high, but capacity is our issue. The Rebuilders Campus allows us to build that capacity.” 

Currently, CCM can support around 40 families per year. With the completion of the campus, they will more than double that number, adding 96 new housing units and serving up to 50% of Cabarrus County’s homeless population. 

Building in Phases

The Rebuilders Campus is being developed in three phases: 

  • Phase 1 includes the construction of two 24-unit apartment buildings and the renovation of an activity center that dates back nearly a century. 
  • Phase 2 will transform the mill building into commercial, retail, educational, and wellness spaces where small businesses and nonprofits can operate, creating job and training opportunities for campus residents and the surrounding community. 
  • Phase 3 will add two additional 24-unit apartment buildings, completing the full vision of 96 units.
     

The site is currently in the Phase 1 site prep stage, with construction partners Ike’s Construction and Liles Construction leading the way. “Our zoning came through in January,” says Burleson. “Now we’re laying sewer lines, grading land, and preparing for vertical construction. We hope to go vertical within the next 6–8 months, depending on the success of our capital campaign.” 

Collaboration Is Key

While the housing is central, The Rebuilders Campus is also about partnership and revitalization. Phase 2 already includes a key anchor: Cabarrus Health Alliance, which is renovating 35,000 square feet of space and expects to open in January 2026. “They’ll have 55 employees working here, offering programs for women, children, and the environment,” says Burleson. 

Beyond that, CCM is courting potential partners including NC Works, Centralina Workforce Development, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Local food entrepreneurs may also find a home on campus thanks to planned connections with the City of Concord’s McGill food entrepreneurship initiative. 

“We envision everything from job training centers to wellness clinics to retail,” says Burleson. “We’re also planning a commissary kitchen modeled after the Nussbaum Center in Greensboro—a space where aspiring chefs and food truck operators can refine their skills.” 

Perhaps most exciting is the planned nonprofit collaborative center—a shared space where 30–40 nonprofits could work together under one roof. “Elected officials always ask if we’re working with others,” Burleson says. “With this model, we can proudly say: absolutely.” 

Funding the Future

CCM is taking a unique and inclusive approach to fundraising. Instead of relying solely on major donors, they’ve launched a community-driven effort called the Promise-Level Campaign. “There are 82,000 households in Cabarrus County,” Burleson says. “We’re asking 10%—around 8,000 households—to promise $1,200 over one to three years.” 

This approach not only raises critical funds, but also fosters community buy-in. “This isn’t a top 2% project—it’s an all-of-us project,” says Burleson. “We want everyone to feel a part of building this campus.” 

Local support extends beyond donors. The City of Concord has provided essential support for planning, zoning, and permitting. Construction partners Ike’s and Liles are committed to using local subcontractors for plumbing, lead abatement, and site work. “Everything we do here involves investing back into the local economy,” Burleson adds. 

What Residents Can Expect

Once Phase 1 is complete, families experiencing housing instability will be able to apply for transitional housing on the campus. CCM’s intake process is intensive—because the goal is not just to provide shelter, but to empower transformation. 

“We’re not just giving someone a place to stay,” Burleson explains. “We’re inviting them into a program that includes case management, accountability, and a clear path to long-term stability.” 

Priority will be given to families already engaged with CCM programs, though Burleson emphasizes that the application process will remain open and accessible. “We’ll work with local agencies and partners to ensure that those who can benefit the most are aware of the opportunity and understand the criteria.” 

Preserving History While Shaping the Future

The project isn’t just about addressing homelessness. It’s also about preserving and reimagining a vital piece of Cabarrus County history. The Brown Mill property—once part of the iconic Cannon Mills—is being thoughtfully restored and integrated into the future of the community. 

“We’re taking a nearly 100-year-old activity center and giving it new life,” Burleson shares. “We’re preserving a piece of the past while creating a hub for stability, growth, and opportunity.” 

The campus also sits along a primary corridor between downtown Concord and the expanding Eli Lilly complex, making it a key component in the area’s long-term development. 

A Community's Call to Action

The success of The Rebuilders Campus will depend not just on CCM’s vision, but on the community’s willingness to rally behind it. “We’re not telling people what to do,” Burleson says. “We’re inviting them to be a part of something powerful.” 

Whether through financial support, partnerships, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every resident of Cabarrus County can play a role in rebuilding hope for their neighbors. 

Burleson puts it plainly: “We’re building more than buildings. We’re building opportunity. We’re building stability. We’re building lives.” 

To learn more or make a promise to support The Rebuilders Campus, visit rebuilderscampus.com.

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