Quietly, for years now, Sara Friedman and Carol Morgan, two women dedicated to volunteering, from two different faith traditions, work together to fill a big need at Roof Above. For many folks at Temple Beth El, their daily mitzvah, or good deed, starts with a pill bottle. As one temple member shared, “I’m always fishing them out of the trash.” …
Lamell Anderson retired from UPS two and a half years ago. He had worked at UPS for twenty-one years, and after, he’d earned time to rest. The first six months, he would get up every morning, read a devotional, and exercise. Then, one morning, his devotionals asked him: “Are you volunteering to help anyone else, or are you just concentrating …
A Stepping Stone & A Place to Call Home Mr. Wilkes is serious, persistent, and driven. He was looking for a fresh start after an important relationship ended. He utilized the Lucille Giles Center emergency shelter, and worked with Danielle, a housing navigator at the Day Services Center. Together, Mr. Wilkes and Danielle obtained all the documents he needed for …
Meet Carter When you enter any of Roof Above’s permanent supportive housing campuses, you’ll be greeted by one of our Tenant Support Specialists (TSS). TSS team members support the daily management of our housing programs and help coordinate care for tenants. Keep reading to meet Carter, one of our awesome Tenant Support Specialists based at SECU The Rise on Clanton …
Sarah Jane’s Story Sarah Jane was a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home. When she lost her job, she struggled to maintain her housing and her mental health, and eventually, she was evicted. Sarah Jane started out in a shelter, but her mental health challenges made it hard to live in a group setting. For two years, she slept …
Meet Mercedes Mercedes Ogilvie is Roof Above’s Volunteer Engagement Specialist at the Day Services Center (DSC). She describes her work as “Creating an environment for volunteers where they feel comfortable serving our neighbors.” Volunteers at the DSC help provide critical basic services at the front desk, mail room, and stations for showers, laundry, and phones. Mercedes joined the Roof Above …
Meet Forest Point Place Tenants! “When individuals experiencing homelessness are welcomed back into the community, they regain a sense of belonging . . . Community reintegration benefits everyone. It creates safer, more connected neighborhoods, reduces the strain on emergency services, and supports economic growth by helping individuals regain employment and stability. Here at Forest Point Place, the community is at …
Meet Staff at Forest Point Place! At Forest Point Place, Roof Above’s newest Permanent Supportive Housing location, our wonderful team plays a critical role in fostering a community of belonging. Shawnte Harvey, Forest Point Place Program Manager, says “Here at Forest Point Place, the community is at the heart of everything we do.” Keep reading to meet some of our …
Welcome to Forest Point Place! “It is Roof Above’s profound privilege to serve as the operator of this vision for Mecklenburg County, this vision to reimagine existing hotels into supportive housing to serve our vulnerable older adults experiencing homelessness in this community. Forest Point Place is a symbol of new life. For our tenants, it’s a door. It’s a key. …
Meet Jim Jim Dobbins first learned about Roof Above in 2021 through volunteering with Room in the Inn at his church, Covenant Presbyterian. When Jim’s pastor told him about Roof Above’s Housing and Employment Resource Centers (HERCs), she said volunteering there would be right up his alley. “To say she was right would be an understatement,” Jim says. “This is …
Roof Above and Atrium Health Begin a New Chaplaincy Training Partnership In October 2024, a dream came to life at Roof Above. The first cohort of Atrium Health Chaplaincy Interns began their rotation at Roof Above’s shelter and housing locations! Director of Education Joe Hamby says that he and CEO Liz Clasen Kelly had long asked themselves: “How could a …
Summit For Shelter: A creative fundraiser to support Charlotte’s nonprofits 11 men. 6 months of physical training. 1 week of intense hiking, with a grueling 13-hour climb to the summit. 226 people contributing to the “Summit for Shelter” fundraiser to raise close to $100K for Roof Above and another Charlotte-based nonprofit. Added together, a huge reminder that, according to Casey Rentch: “It’s …
From Room in the Inn to Housing Room in the Inn is an interfaith ministry that provides emergency winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Since 1996, Roof Above has invited faith groups, colleges and other organizations to participate in Room in the Inn as hosts. Innkeeper Cher Lindblom shares that “Room in the Inn is a vehicle that gives our …
Meet the Day Services Center Weekend Crew! Did you know that Roof Above’s Day Services Center (DSC) is open 365 days a year? That means on holidays and weekends, rain or shine, the DSC is open to serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness. This wouldn’t be possible without our incredible weekend staff. Basic Service Specialists ensure neighbors visiting the DSC can …
Homelessness Came as a Shock to the Silvas Mr. and Mrs. Silva had raised their children and become grandparents. He had a stable income as a drywall installer. Then one day his boss noticed that he was sweating profusely and asked if he was OK . . . and that is the last thing he remembers. He woke up seven …