Roof Above

On Monday, February 12, Charlotte City Council has an opportunity to #InvestInPeople. Roof Above is asking Council to double the Housing Trust Fund. Homelessness is a housing issue, so solutions must also focus on housing. The Council will be voting on re-criminalizing six ordinances, which will disproportionately affect people experiencing homelessness.

On Monday, February 12, Charlotte City Council has an opportunity to #InvestInPeople. Roof Above is asking Council to invest in and expand the current shelter system. Our current shelter system is full. Expanded options are needed to provide alternatives to unsheltered homelessness. The Council will be voting on re-criminalizing six ordinances, which will disproportionately affect people experiencing homelessness.

On Monday, February 12, Charlotte City Council has an opportunity to #InvestInPeople. Everybody has to go to the bathroom, but when someone is experiencing homelessness, finding accessible bathrooms is a challenge. Roof Above is asking Council to increase access to public bathrooms with thoughtfulness to location and safety. The Council will be voting on re-criminalizing ordinance 15-83, which is about public urination and defecation.

On Monday, February 12, Charlotte City Council has an opportunity to #InvestInPeople. Everybody has to go to the bathroom, but when someone is experiencing homelessness, finding accessible bathrooms is a challenge. Roof Above is asking Council to increase access to public bathrooms with thoughtfulness to location and safety. The Council will be voting on re-criminalizing ordinance 15-83, which is about public urination and defecation.

Today, one of the nation’s leading convenience and gasoline retailers, QuikTrip (QT), announced that they awarded more than $4.5 million in grants in 2023 to local nonprofits to help combat homelessness and make communities across the Charlotte metropolitan area safer, stronger and more stable. We are so grateful to be a grant recipient! Thanks to QT, we’ve been able to expand our street outreach team and our capacity to provide substance use treatment. Their support has also enabled us to continue providing wraparound services to more than 400 people who were once homeless and are now in housing. As we continue the mission of ending homelessness in Charlotte, we look forward to the work ahead with QT as a partner.

Our Day Services Center meets unsheltered neighbors' basic needs every day of the year.  Services offered include showers, laundry, restrooms, phones, mail, lunch and more. As you look at ways you are being called to be a light-bearer in the New Year, consider getting involved in the important work of our Day Services Center. Our most urgent needs? Volunteer shifts 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Here’s how you can get connected: Check out our volunteer page at roofabove.org. Reach our Director of Volunteer Engagement, Danielle Thibodeau, directly at dthibodeau@roofabove.org

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of building a beloved community, meet Roof Above team members and mother-daughter duo Teyona Richmond and Virginia White, whose family bonds are rooted in a legacy of giving back. Their support of the Single-Site Housing programs at Roof Above mirrors the essence of King's teachings. As Director of Property Management, Teyona oversees multiple housing sites while Virginia, a Tenant Support Specialist, works the third shift each evening. Each day and night, they show up with caring hearts, meeting tenants where they are on their housing journey by helping them with their needs, providing emotional support, and repeating the philosophy of living as good citizens. Together, they epitomize a legacy of serving others in need. MLKDay #MLKLegacy 🏡❤️. To read their story in full, click here: https://lnkd.in/ezR-g9gy

Anissa, a mother of two, faced homelessness after a divorce in 2018. For seven years, she carried her prized possessions — wigs, makeup, and more — often weighing over 40 pounds. Describing her experience as a personal war, she found strength in maintaining her appearance and facing each day with joy. Last year, outreach member Wendell introduced Anissa to Roof Above’s Room in the Inn program, providing her with immediate help. Trust was vital for their relationship to flourish. Anissa's vibrant spirit and strong mindset stood out despite her challenges. Now, Anissa is embarking on a new journey, setting up her apartment and rediscovering the joy of cooking at home. She reflects on letting go of the past, trusting in God's guidance, and embracing this as her comeback and rebirth. "I am making what I have a home," she declares.

Meet Elena, a volunteer at a motel-based shelter for folks 55+, purchased by Mecklenburg County and managed by Roof Above. She heard that people were moving there from their former residence to the new development & she asked if she could follow them. She’s been forging friendships with the guests since she began volunteering during the pandemic. She says, “A lot of people just want to talk to somebody. They want to hang out, so I knew that I was needed.” Elena hosts a crafting hour every week for tenants, something both she and the tenants look forward to. She says, “I like being creative. I like making things with my hands.” Elena invites all the Roof Above tenants to participate even if they don’t want to craft. She believes in asking people what they want and then allowing them to decide things for themselves. She says, “They come out to socialize. I enjoy their company. They enjoy me. We talk a lot. I’m in their age group, so we have a lot in common.”

“This music is beautiful. It's putting me in a state of mind,” said a tenant while enjoying the violinist at The Rise on Clanton. The Charlotte Symphony spread holiday cheer through the gift of music across several Roof Above campuses. With the playing of a harp, cello, and violin, these talented musicians brought joy and peace to the hearts of those we serve. We are grateful for their visit and so are our guests. We truly appreciate you, Charlotte Symphony !💙