F3 Fortitude has been on hold during the pandemic, since the Men’s Shelter (now, Roof Above) has not been able to accept volunteers. While we’ve been away, Roof Above Leadership and Staff have done an amazing job, not only maintaining, but also finding ways to accelerate the mission to end homelessness, with game-changing initiatives like the purchase of HillRock Estates in East Charlotte, which preserves 345 units of naturally occurring affordable housing, while also providing workforce housing and shelter for our chronically homelessness (read more about the innovative project here).
Within our shelters and congregate living facilities, Roof Above’s team has found innovative ways to isolate individuals with Covid risk factors, while also incorporating social distancing. This has expanded the number of sites we serve and has increased our costs. While the CARES Act has provided funding, the need is still great.
Winter is approaching and due to Covid, we will not be able to offer mats or the Room in the Inn program to those seeking to escape the cold. Last Winter, we sheltered an additional 123 people per night; on particularly cold nights, that number spiked up to 273 people.
We have a plan in place to protect those seeking shelter from the weather this Winter, but we continue to rely on your financial support both to implement this plan and to further our mission of ending homelessness, one person at a time. Despite all of the challenges 2020 has brought, we are still within striking distance of our goal to house 450 people each year.
But bottom-line: we need your help, and YHC is inviting you and other Pax to join us virtually at our annual fundraising lunch True Blessings, taking place at noon, Wednesday, November 18th. Although we won’t be able to meet in person, we promise 45 minutes on inspiring stories, including remarks by Roof Above’s CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly. Unfortunately this year, we can’t promise you chicken (rain-check).
Please let me know if you’re able to join, at jordanabshire1@gmail.com; if you’re not able, please consider supporting our work, which you can do here. And please feel free to forward to those who may have interest in supporting our mission. One benefit to this year’s virtual event is that we have unlimited seats at our table.
SYITG!
Pipeline