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Helping Our Working Neighbors April/May 2012
from Homelessness to Housing |
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Peace, Quiet, and a House to Live
 "I'm just a country girl at heart," says Pamela. "I like peace and quiet and a good book to read."
That's certainly not too much to ask for . . . but unfortunately something Pamela had a hard time attaining just six months ago. For the first time in her life, Pamela was homeless.
Her challenges began after she was laid off from a job where she assisted adults with developmental disabilities. In the heart of the economic downturn, she struggled to find employment for a year and a half. Always in good-standing with her landlord, she was able to hang onto her apartment until finally she was unable to afford the rent.
Eight months of homelessness translated into sleeping in her car at a truck stop and her Church. Each morning, she took time to search online for jobs at a local McDonalds with one of her few possessions - a laptop computer. "From time to time, I could stay with my daughter, but the space and guidelines of her apartment complex did not make this situation optimal or long-term."
Pamela turned to Cooperative Christian Ministry . . . one of Community Link's partners in Cabarrus County. With that connection, Pamela was referred to our Homeless to Housing program. That's when life began to change.
"Thank God for Branden, Andrea, and all of Community Link," exclaims Pamela. With help from Community Link, Pamela received weekly and monthly counseling, connections to resources, and most importantly, a front door to getting back into rental housing.
Today, with help from Community Link, Pamela rents a 2-bedroom house in Concord, has a new job with better pay and benefits, and is in the process of obtaining her license as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
And, her favorite place in the house - her living room, where "she can see the deer outside and have a nice quiet place in which to read!" |
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Program Merger Forms Foreclosure Prevention Services at Community Link
 Look back one year ago and you'll find three long-time nonprofits sharing a common goal - that of homeownership. Community Link was successfully educating and counseling low-to-moderate income first-time home-buyers; the Latin American Coalition did the same, but with more focus on the bourgeoning Latino population; United Family Services was helping to keep families from losing their home through foreclosure prevention services.
That changed last year when the Latin American Coalition (LAC) and United Family Services (UFS) engaged in strategic planning processes. As one major result, each organization wanted to embark on keeping programs that best aligned with their missions and find another strategic home for any programs seen as more peripheral.
Separately, Jess George (LAC) and Phil Kline (UFS) approached Community Link about consolidating programs. In December, the Latin American Coalition's program was moved to Community Link and in February of this year, United Family Services did the same. Both organizations continue adm
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Click <here> for more on our
Foreclosure Prevention Services. |
inistering other vital community programs.
Community Link's Homeownership Education and Counseling program has now been strengthened. And, we now provide Foreclosure Prevention Services.
According to recent foreclosure statistics from The Center for Responsible Lending, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union counties have seen an increase in foreclosures of 36%, 16%, and 52% respectively in the last five years. However, the good news is that each county saw a decrease in foreclosures from 2010 to 2011.
 With the consolidation, we expect to serve 12% more families in the next year than had the programs remained separate.
Homeowners who are in need of foreclosure prevention services are encouraged to call Community Link at 866 230-0956 to learn if they might be eligible for assistance. |
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Chocolate Addicts Welcome
Sweetly Sponsored by
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Welcome Baskets Bring Much Joy
 | | A generous donation from Davidson United Methodist Church! |
"Finally having my keys in hand, lease signed and a time to move in were so exciting. But what NOW brings my family the most joy are the little things in life. Like, cleaning supplies to clean, paper towels for spills, a trash can to fill, and a mop to shine the floor. It's these details we cherish, where God brings the most joy and where we make our new house a home!"
This was the sentiment from a formerly homeless mother who we helped back into rental housing. Her sentiments came just daysafter we provided her with a Welcome Basket of goodies. Everyday items to most of us . . . but cherished items to her family.
 | | A Welcome Crew of UPS volunteers (in yellow) delivers a basket! |
Think about your needs when you moved into your first apartment or home. Now quadruple that for someone who's emerging from homelessness!
We're grateful to many generous organizations and individuals who regularly collect Welcome Baskets for our families. Davidson United Methodist Church, Sardis Presbyterian Church, UPS, and the St. Gabriel Catholic Church (St. Vincent de Paul Assocation) are among a host of our givers.
Join the fun and become part of our Welcome Crew to support our families. For more information, visit our site or email Randall Hitt. |
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