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Hungry for inspiration? Start with a few stories, nibble on some testimonials, and finish with some healthy statistics. Thanks for visiting and enjoy reading!
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A Special Thanks! |
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Thought we'd share a success a bit differently! This time, through the words and writing of a mom expressing her gratitude. Another inspiration of moving a working family from homelessness to housing! |
Faith, Hope and a Light at the end of the Tunnel
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| Happy days for LaTonya and Donald |
“Faith, prayer, each other . . . . and knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel!” This being the sentiment from LaTonya after asked what kept her family going through six months of homelessness.
LaTonya and husband Donald were like any regular family. They worked, loved their teenage son, and were doing all the right things to build a better life. Donald is even a Veteran, having bravely served our country. Then, a challenge.
Both were laid off work and finances became tight. By the time Donald found employment, bills were stacked quite high and consequently they lost their home. With persistence and a drive to succeed on their own, they found another rental home.
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| Home Sweet Home for LaTonya and Donald! |
To their shock, within one month, they learned their landlord had been behind on paying the mortgage and the house was foreclosed upon and they were forced to leave. To know fault of their own, Latonya, Donald, and their son were again homeless.
“We were living between efficiency motels and our car,” says LaTonya. She adds “it was very hard on us and difficult for our son.”
Finally some glimmer of hope. The family was connected to Community Link.
With assistance through our Homeless to Housing program, LaTonya and Donald got the boost they needed. Guidance and support from our Social Worker and connections and temporary subsidy from our Housing Coordinator. Donald even looked at the experience as one of learning. “Now when we see someone homeless, we know what they are going through and how to help!”
As the holidays approach, LaTonya, Donald, and their son look forward to celebrations in their new home. On the horizon – homeownership! Donald is working full-time, while LaTonya is actively pursuing her next career.
LaTonya ends her story by sharing that “Community Link was definitely the light at the end of our tunnel – thank you.”
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| Left to Right - CL Board Chair Mike Rash, Social Worker Traci Carter, Aretha, and Vice Chair Tim Tate share a smile. Aretha shared her story with our board and was presented a framed Charlotte Observer article, which highlighted Aretha |
You awaken in a hospital following a stroke. As you rehabilitate, your finances begin to spin out of control. Just a year later, a fire burns your home, pushing your two children and you into homelessness. Temporarily receiving refuge from a family shelter, you think what’s next?!
This was the reality for Aretha, having lost nearly everything.
But, Aretha didn’t give in to total despair . . . didn’t lose sight of taking care of her family . . . and didn’t let go of any desire to succeed. She just needed some help. That’s when she found Community Link.
Through our Homeless to Housing Program, Aretha paired with a compassionate Social Worker for a lifeline of assistance. Home visits, counseling, basic financial education, and linkages to community resources helped Aretha find a safe, decent, and affordable home for her family. During the process, Aretha even improved her credit score.
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| All smiles for Aretha! |
Further lending a hand up, Aretha received temporary financial rental assistance and she was welcomed to her new home with a donated Welcome Basket of household items.
Aretha is now working full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant, her family has expanded, recently welcoming a grand-daughter. Her daughter enrolled in college while her son serves in the U.S. Navy.
Our Social Worker, so proud of Aretha, was touched during a recent check-in call, when Aretha exclaimed “I couldn’t have done this without the support of you!” Aretha, we’re proud of you and just glad we could be there for your time in need.
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| While not the real "Jill" picture above (due to confidentiality and safety), we imagine this is what her homecoming was like. |
Jill walked to our office with a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer. She was bruised, but still holding tight to her 18 month-old daughter. Her husband had been beating her . . . apparently doing so for some time. That is until Jill gathered the strength to call for help.
With her abusive husband in jail, but at some point getting out, she needed to leave the city. Get to a safe, supportive, home. Amazingly, Jill wasn’t as much concerned about herself, but more-so for her daughter. She’s leaving with nothing and had very little money.
But, that’s where we came in.
Through our Travelers Aid program, Jill spent time with our Social Worker, who provided a great level of comfort and guidance on where Jill could go. Turned out that Jill has a mother in another state – at a location not known to the husband. With Community Link’s help and financial assistance, Jill and her daughter were on a bus that same day. Jill left with us knowing she was headed to a safe, supportive home.
One month later, we received a note from Jill thanking us for saving their lives. And, below Jill’s signature was an added note from Jill’s mom – “thanks for bringing home by daughter and grandbaby!”
I Can’t Believe (this home) Is Mine!
“When I first walked in, I couldn’t believe it was all mine,” exclaimed Madeline who recently moved into her newly purchased home. This coming after months of persistence and a willingness to succeed!
Madeline is the proud mother of three and working full-time to support her sons. She’d been renting for several years, but had her eye on a prize of building her wealth and owning a home. But in doing so, she knew a commitment to improving her finances, learning about the home buying process, and a little help were in order.
That’s when Madeline found Community Link.
“Michael (CL’s Homeownership Counselor) was my meat and potatoes,” jokes Madeline. “I called him all the time with questions and for guidance.”
Madeline entered our Homeownership program several months before closing on her h
ome. She began by attending one of our free Monday night sessions, and then regularly met with Michael, her personal homeownership counselor. With much support and guidance – and a commitment to learning – Madeline improved her credit score, organized her budget, and made lifestyle changes to afford a home that was right for her.
Along the way, Madeline soaked up a wealth of information related to home buying and ownership. She “graduated” with a program certificate, which also helped her attain financial assistance through the HouseCharlotte program.
We congratulate Madeline and wish you all the best in your new home. We’re proud of you and are delighted you have a place to call Home Sweet Home.
Check out more photos of Madeline and her new home on our Facebook page! And don't miss her feature on Fox Charlotte.
Becoming a single parent and losing your job – at the same time – could certainly overwhelm even the best of us. Add homelessness and sleeping on a friend’s floor to the mix and you might find despair. But, not so for Mr. Daryl!
Mr. Daryl’s main priority is his 16 year-old daughter, who is flourishing in high school. His focus on being a good father helped conquer any fears of overcoming the obstacles he’d been dealt.
Eventually needing to vacate his friend’s house due to the overcrowding, Mr. Daryl found his way to Community Link. Our Social Worker quickly saw Mr. Daryl’s passion and commitment to succeed. With our help, he was connected to resources and able to pay off some utility balances he still owed from his previous residence, and had a trusted friend and counselor to help on his path to self-sufficiency. Along the way, Mr. Daryl secured a part-time position as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Part time turned into full time. Paying off bills turned into some savings. In stepped our housing coordinator for Mr. Daryl’s next step. Priority was placed on finding a place near his daughter’s high school, so she could safely walk there and still attend the school she so much enjoys.
After weeks of tenant education, searching, and even negotiation – a perfect rental home found. Mr. Daryl and his daughter happily moved into their new home.
“I can’t help but come home from a hard day’s work and smile,” exclaims Mr. Daryl. “Just knowing that I’m coming to place that’s mine. And, I thank everyone at Community Link that helped make this possible.”
Today, Mr. Daryl is doing well in his job, has increased his income, is staying on budget, and even paid his rent a month in advance. Mr. Daryl, you are definitely an inspiration to us all!
Lanetta is a mother and like most others, she loves her 7 and 4 year-old daughters. She works hard to support them through her $10/hour job in the health services field. The father is incarcerated.
Her family became homeless following a devastating fire. Bills stacked up and hope was lost.
But, Lanetta found a link - Community Link.
Enrolled in our Homeless to Housing program, Lanetta was lifted by a lifeline to keep her family together and find safe, affordable housing. She received financial assistance, counseling, connections to other resources, budget planning, and a trusted friend who was there every step of the way.
Today, Lanetta remains self-sufficient in her new apartment and is going back to school. As for her daughters, they continue loving their mother and having a place they call "home."
One Diagnosis Changes Everything. . . .
Kendra wants the best for her ten year-old daughter and is trying to do all the right things to better her daughter’s future. Just a few months ago, Kendra fled a domestic violence situation. Employed full-time, Kendra found an apartment and struggled to make ends meet. But she and her daughter were surviving.
Then, an unexpected turn!
Kendra’s daughter became chronically ill with epilepsy. As any mother would do, Kendra took off as much work as possible to help treat and keep her daughter’s epilepsy under control. Kendra’s paycheck – a $9.50/hour job in the health services field - dwindled and bills stacked up. Rent was due and Kendra found herself unable to pay.
Eviction was imminent.
When all hope was almost lost, Kendra found a link . . . Community Link. Kendra enrolled in Community Link’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. There she found a support system to keep her family together in safe, affordable housing. Financial assistance, counseling, linkages to other resources, and budget planning were provided for six months.
Kendra remains in her apartment today and has since returned to work. With her daughter – who is now in better health – they continue to have a place they call “home.”
From those we've helped:
“My previous experiences with social workers had always been negative. Community Link helped me to see that there are ones out there who care and take pride in what they do."
"Community Link saved my life, and because of them I’m a better person."
"Community Link helped with getting me back in housing, having, hope, and encouragement. They were there to help me not give up."
"My Community Link Social Worker has taught me how to have confidence in myself, and become my greatest friend"
"If it wasn’t for Community Link I would still be living at the shelter."
"Thanks to Community Link’s program I was able to purchase a home."
"When we were homeless Community Link stood by us and helped us get a house, food and furniture."
We're proud that more than 90% of those homeless families we help obtain rental housing remain self sufficient after leaving our care. As to our homeowners - only a 4% foreclosure rate - well below the general population. Now that's success!
Last Year...
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We provided service to over 8,000 customers including families and individuals living in homeless shelters, people at risk of losing their homes, women and children fleeing domestic violence, children aging out of foster care, people receiving public assistance, and people who are disabled.
- 200+ families moved from the streets, homeless shelters, or other sub-standard living situation into permenant rental housing through Casework and Supportive Housing.
- 350+ children went from homelessness to stable households with their families.
- 252 individuals and families became homeowners.
- Nearly 8,000 individuals and families received free tax preparation services.
Since 2004 ...
- More than 30,000 men, women, and children have benefited from our casework services.
- Over 1,000 families have become homeowners through our Homeownership Program, adding to our region's tax base and borrowed more that $76.8 million in mortgage value from out area's financial institutions.
- 96% of customers who purchased a home have sustained that home.
- 755 children of Community Link customers have been able to leave DSS/Foster Care and move back to live with their families saving DSS/Foster Care over $35 million.
We've created relationships with 300+ property providers who will often:
- Lower or waive application fees
- Lower security deposits
- Lower rental rates