Season of Hope Invitation
Will you join us for a Season of Hope? Between now and the end of the year, we will be sharing weekly content that explores the many facets of hope.
This isn’t meant to be prescriptive. There are multiple entry points into this invitation: Moments of inspiration and response on social media. Minutes or more, with a weekly blog post, where you sit quietly and ponder one of the prompts. A month of hope in action. Make this season of hope the reflection that you need.
You can find Season of Hope:
Season of Hope, Week 6: Hope Rises for Another Go
The X user @crowsfault writes about hope: “People speak of hope as if it is this delicate, ephemeral thing made of whispers and spider’s webs. It’s not. Hope has dirt on her face, blood on her knuckles, the grit of the cobblestones in her hair, and just spat out a tooth as she rises for another go.”
This is the kind of hope our neighbors, guests, and tenants model. They have encountered no shortage of struggles and obstacles in their lives, but they continue to show up and keep going. They demonstrate that hope is more than a passing emotion. Hope is an action.
Every time a neighbor walks into the Day Services Center to check for their social security card in the mail, a shelter guest meets with a case manager, or a tenant joins an activity hosted by a volunteer group, they display active hope. Each day brings opportunities to face challenges and move forward.
Active hope takes teamwork. Just like our neighbors, guests, and tenants practice hope every time they “rise for another go,” our staff and volunteers practice hope every time they join in — as a volunteer checking mail at the front desk, as case manager, or as a group sharing a meal or a game of bingo. Hope requires us to show up for each other, even if we get dirt on our faces and blood on our knuckles in the process.
Questions to Ponder:
Can you remember a time that being hopeful felt like “rising for another go?”
How might you join in on the hope of our neighbors, guests, and tenants?
Invitation to Act in Hope
Hear from Roof Above staff members Danielle Thibodeau, Yasmeen Parker, and Deborah Davis about why volunteering helps sustain hope!
“At our Day Services Center, we provide essential support to individuals experiencing homelessness in Charlotte. Every day, we rely on the dedication and compassion of 15 volunteers to ensure our basic services (showers, laundry, phone access, and mail services) operate smoothly and meet the needs of our unsheltered neighbors. Our volunteers’ time and efforts directly impact the lives of those we serve, offering not just practical support but also compassion and hope. By volunteering, you help create a welcoming environment where every person feels seen, valued, and respected. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of Charlotte’s most vulnerable residents.”
-Danielle Thibodeau, Community Engagement Officer based at the Day Services Center.
“When people volunteer, they unite with others toward a shared goal, regardless of their differences. This collaboration fosters a sense of belonging and community, creating a space where people can work together and build trust. Volunteers often bond over common values, and this helps bridge social differences, making communities stronger and more connected.”
-Deborah Davis, Community Engagement Officer based at our shelters, pictured on far right with shelter teammates.
“Volunteering is important because humanity thrives when we create space and time for connection and compassion. To keep human connection authentic, we must pour into others who may need our support and understanding. You never know how a moment of volunteering can impact not only those in need but also yourself. Giving your time is a powerful way to show you care and sometimes even give others perspective again.”
-Yasmeen Parker, Tenant Engagement Specialist at Forest Point Place, pictured on far right with a tenant and case manager.
Will you practice active hope by volunteering at our Day Services Center, one of our shelters, or at one of our permanent supportive housing locations?