It's All About the Equation

Last week, during our 4th Annual Community Partnership Breakfast, I shared MSC's equation for ending homelessness:

INCOME + HOUSING + SUPPORT = END TO HOMELESSNESS

Yes, this is a bit of an oversimplification of the strategies needed to help someone overcome their homeless experience.  But, it's also that straightforward.  We have to help the men accessing our emergency shelters determine a path towards income which can then lead to housing.  Once housed, we know that without an appropriate level of support, failure is likely, so creating a support network is critical.  The cool thing about this equation is that it works.  So far this year, MSC has helped about 200 men move to more appropriate housing.  Now you know how we did it.

Happy New Year

As 2011 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting back on the past year.  I'm first and foremost grateful to our wonderful staff, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors who made it possible for the Men's Shelter to care for close to 600 men each night while moving more than 300 men into more appropriate housing.  Our board of directors, under the leadership of board chair Cathy Pullen, have been steadfast in their resolve to ensure that no homeless man in need be turned away.  Even with an all-time record of 683 men sheltered on one night (November 29th), I'm proud to say we kept that promise throughout the year.  It hasn't always been easy, financially or on our staff, but its been the right thing to do and we'll continue to shelter all who seek our assistance with the support of our community. 

As you think about making your resolutions for 2012, I hope you'll think of ways to give your time, talents, and treasure to help the Men's Shelter of Charlotte provide safe shelter to all homeless men while working to end homelessness for each man we serve.

Happy New Year!

National Homeless Persons Memorial Day

December 21st is the first day of winter, typically the longest night of the year, and happens to also be my birthday.  More importantly, National Homeless Persons Memorial Day is observed each year on December 21st in our nation's capital and throughout the country.  To learn more visit the National Coalition for the Homeless' website www.nationalhomeless.org.  As we celebrate the holiday season, please join me and take a moment on Tuesday, December 21, 2011 to remember our homeless citizens, neighbors, and friends who have died over the past year.  I also urge you to learn more about Opening Doors (www.usich.gov) and More than Shelter (www.housingcoalition.charlottenc.gov), our respective federal and local plans to end and prevent homelessness.  My New Year's resolution is to continue envisioning a time in the near future when National Homeless Persons Memorial Day will honor the lives of those lost before homelessness ceased to exist.

Thank You Morning Star Lutheran Men

Last night I had the privilege of joining the men at Morning Star Lutheran Church for dinner as they celebrated their 15-plus years serving dinner at the Men's Shelter.  Not only was the meal terrific - Thank You Pastor Tim - but so was the fellowship.  Getting to know these dedicated volunteers - Art and I are both NC State Alumni - was the highlight of my day.  And to cap off the evening, I was presented with a wonderfully generous donation on behalf of their ministry.  My thanks to Bob for the invitation and to all of the Morning Star Lutheran men for their dedication to the mission of the Men's Shelter of Charlotte.

Bank of America Honors the Men's Shelter with Neighborhood Builder Award

Last night the Men's Shelter of Charlotte received the 2011 Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Neighborhood Builder Award!  Our agency joins a list of distinguished past recipients from our community and around the country.  As part of this award, MSC will participate in a year-long emerging leaders training program sponsored by Bank of America.  The award also comes with a $200,000 grant that MSC will use to implement Rapid Re-housing, an evidenced-based best practice to help move men quickly from the shelter into housing. 

We are tremendously grateful to Bank of American for its commitment to the Men's Shelter of Charlotte and ending homelessness in our community!