Christ Church, Charlotte, Helps the City's Working Homeless

For years, there have been men experiencing homelessness in Charlotte even though they were employed. It was estimated as high as 76% of the men staying in the Tryon Street Men’s Shelter had employment. Their jobs on first, second and third shifts, however, rarely made it possible to afford the soaring rents in this growing city.

During the last week of May, Roof Above (a merger of the Urban Ministry Center and the Men’s Shelter) piloted a new concept for 70 men with employment to move into renovated dorms. Each man entering the work-shelter program signs a pledge to make this the first step out to a new life.

After being shuttered for two years, the old dorms were brought back to life by dozens of volunteers and generous companies, including Lowe’s, which donated appliances, and Ashley HomeStore, which donated all the furniture for the common rooms. Christ Church, Charlotte, provided volunteers for two weekends of painting, cleaning and setting the dorm rooms. Help is still needed if you want to donate items from our Amazon wish list.

- By Kathy Izard