The Relatives Family Update
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Every day, young people in our community face crises that threaten their safety, stability, and sense of belonging. From homelessness and family conflict to mental health struggles and systemic barriers, too many youth are left without the support they need. The Relatives sits at the center of the systems meant to respond—child welfare, education, juvenile justice, and healthcare—and we work to ensure no young person is overlooked or left behind.
Our support is constant. The Relatives’ crisis hotline offers live help 24/7/365, so when a young person calls in the middle of the night, someone is there to listen and connect them to life-changing resources. We’re often the first call in a moment of crisis, and sometimes, the only one who answers. That’s a responsibility we take seriously.
We believe in every young person’s potential, no matter how many times they’ve been told they can’t succeed or how often they’ve struggled in traditional systems. At The Relatives, we see beyond the crisis. We see resilience and the possibility of a brighter future. Thank you for standing beside us as we continue to be a lifeline for youth in crisis. Together, we’re building a community where every young person has the support they need to thrive.
Sincerely,
Trish Hobson
Executive Director
A Lifeline for Youth in Crisis
The Relatives is proud to serve as the local managing partner for Safe Place across Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas, connecting youth in crisis to immediate help and safety.
Safe Place is a national outreach and prevention program that designates businesses and community locations as safe havens for young people facing abuse, neglect, homelessness, or other urgent challenges. In our community, these bright yellow signs represent hope, trust, and access to life-saving resources. This past year, The Relatives supported over 40 youth who sought help through Safe Place at one of our partner businesses and organizations.
We’re calling on Spanish-speaking businesses to join us in this vital mission. Your partnership can make a life-changing difference for youth who need help and may feel more comfortable seeking it in a culturally familiar space.
To learn more or become a Safe Place site, visit The Relatives website or contact our Safe Place Outreach Coordinator, LaVeda Pinkney-Knight.
We are thrilled to announce the completion of the renovation of the former Carriage House, which is now officially Snowy Peak House!
This incredible transformation marks a pivotal moment in our mission to keep kids safe and families together. Snowy Peak House is now ready to provide a much-needed space where the children sheltering at our Youth Crisis Center can relax, play, and just be kids—while offering them and their families the private, supportive environments they need for counseling and connection.
Our deepest thanks to our amazing donors, including the Dries, Schmidly, and Grant families among many others and the support of organizations such as Lotta Love Charlotte, Myers Park United Methodist, The Cannon Foundation, and SteelFab; your kindness and support help us to continue to meet the evolving needs of the children and families who depend on The Relatives.
Help Us Make The Difference
Every day, young people face moments of crisis, and when they do, The Relatives is ready to respond.
Our 24/7/365 crisis hotline connects youth with Relatives staff who can provide immediate support, guidance, and action to keep kids safe in our community.
With over 3,400 calls received each year, the need is constant. It costs $113 an hour to ensure that help is always just a phone call away.
Your support makes this possible; if you believe every young person deserves a safe place to turn, please consider making a gift today.
Is there anything better than warm bread straight out of the oven? We don’t think so!
Join us to kick off the holiday season with a Simply Sourdough Workshop led by Penny Health and hosted by The Relatives!
📅 Thursday, November 6
🕒 4:30PM – 6:30PM
📍 Sprock Family Teaching Kitchen at the On Ramp Resource Center
You’ll join with others to learn how to bake homemade sourdough bread from an expert. The workshop includes:
• Tasting freshly baked bread
• Hands-on experience mixing, kneading, and shaping dough
• Taking home your very own starter, dough to bake, and recipe card
All proceeds from the workshop go directly to The Relatives to support programs and operations of the On Ramp Resource Center and the Youth Crisis Center.
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