Lynda Watson was facing homelessness when Community Link's Homeless to Housing program helped her find a safe, comfortable apartment she could afford long-term. Now Lynda is the first person to greet people when they walk into the Community Link office.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
Guess the Counting Crows were onto something.
From the Carolinas to California — and every big city in between — explosive growth has caused transformational change to the places we all call home. In Charlotte, we’ve seen skyscrapers smother single-family homes and big business take over once charming neighborhoods.
Lately, I have noticed more homeless women in Charlotte standing on street medians - I don’t have the data, just noticed more faces I, unfortunately, try to avoid. However, as a new friend and writer, Melissa LaCross reminded me, “Acknowledging someone’s humanity leaves space
For dignity
For grace
For growth.”
Charlotte in 1902 was a very, very different place.
No skyscrapers, no light rail, no Panthers, no greenways.
A small town with big dreams — and one organization that’s been here the whole way.
YWCA Central Carolinas has been serving Greater Charlotte for 117 years, and in that time they’ve seen first hand the exceptional change experienced here and around the country.
When Shannon Routh was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 32, she had trouble finding even one person who was going through the same experience. She also struggled to find joy-filled events for people going through ovarian cancer treatment. So she vowed to give other ovarian cancer survivors all the things she never had, and that's how Teal Diva came to be.
As a three-time breast cancer survivor, Angela Baker understands all too well the challenges faced when completing cancer treatments.
First diagnosed in 2003, Angela has fought multiple bouts with metastatic breast cancer, while continuing to work full-time and as a single mom. Even with a leave of absence, Angela had a lot on her plate.
The problem: Every day, hundreds of single women are forced into living on the streets. The reason is not the same for all- some are escaping domestic violence or human trafficking, while others are experiencing job loss and are feeling the effects of the affordable housing crisis in Charlotte.
The solution: A safe place for women to go to get back on their feet after a set back.
Enter, Healing Vine Harbor.
In honor of Women's History Month, SHARE Charlotte will be celebrating nonprofit organizations who focus specifically on Women's Health and Wellness, keeping the women of Charlotte safe, healthy, cared for and connected.
With the celebration of women’s achievements both past and present happening on a national scale in March, we are here to contribute to the conversation by highlighting the local organizations that serve women all year long.
