Aretha, pictured right, shares a smile with CL Social Worker Traci. They both attended a recent CL board meeting for recognition.
You awaken in the hospital following a stroke and your finances begin to spin out of control. Just a year later, a fire burns your home, pushing your children and you into homelessness. Temporarily receiving refuge from a family shelter, you think what's next?!
This was the reality for Aretha. Having lost nearly everything, Aretha held close to her two children with a strong desire to rebuild her family. She just needed some help.
Now working full-time with a daughter enrolled in college and a son serving in the U.S Navy, Aretha's family now has a place they can call home. Read more about this happy ending and be sure to check out our Facebook photos when Aretha shared her story at our board meeting.
Inspired by Aretha's story? Consider helping families like Aretha's with an early gift to our year-end Share Campaign!
The Need To Get Involved
Contributed by volunteer Dee Dee Leeolou
Dee Dee - An Angel of a Volunteer!
I arrived in Charlotte in 1999. After finding my way around a new town, getting the kids settled in their schools, and finding a new church, I knew it was time to get involved in the community as I had in my previous city.
An appeal in the St. Gabriel Catholic Church weekly bulletin was seeking new members for the St. Vincent de Paul Group ministry. "That's it", I thought!
The St. Vincent de Paul Group assists with providing basic needs to those in need on a one on one basis. Community Link with its program of putting families in their own homes was looking for groups to provide "Welcome Baskets."
That began my 10 year association with this wonderful community outreach project. With funds provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Group ministry, every month I purchase and deliver dishes, utensils, glassware and pots & pans to greet the families as they begin their lives in a safe and stable housing situation. It is a privilege to help with essential needs that many people take for granted.
Click on the above to our Volunteer Blog to read more personal experiences
UPS Delivers More Than Just Packages
Our friends at UPS love logistics and delivering packages on time. But even more so, it's clear that they have a passion for community service!
UPS volunteers with Stefan (in blue) to hear his story and deliver a welcome basket.
Thanks to a UPS team who recently joined us for a half-day of fun, our Welcome Basket storage room is much refreshed. And, more important, two formerly homeless individuals received generous care packages of household items.
The experience ended with a visit and delivery to Stefan, who warmly welcomed the UPS team into his new apartment. His story from homelessness to housing was certainly inspirational and made for a great way to end the day.
Yes, $8 million was pumped back into our local economy last year to help lower-income individuals with medical, household, debt, and other general expenses. No handouts were provided. These were dollars earned by hard working, employed individuals.
Check out the below video to learn more about the power of VITA and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). And, be sure to check out how you can get involved through our VITA volunteer opportunities.
