The Relatives’ Family Update
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Dear Relatives,
The Relatives believes in working towards positive change in the lives of youth and young adults. Achieving this change takes intentionality, empathy and understanding.
On January 18, our nation will honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. This day serves as both a celebration, and a reminder of the work we still have left to do. Part of this work involves increasing equity and an awareness of how race and ethnicity impacts access to power and opportunity.
85% of the clients served by The Relatives are people of color and a significant portion of these clients are considered ‘disconnected’, meaning they lack access to education, employment and stable housing. Many in this disconnected population face additional issues, as a result of historic and systemic racism.
The Relatives works everyday to counteract these inequalities through a support system designed to set our young adults on a path towards empowerment, independence, and economic mobility.
With intention, The Relatives connects our clients to education, employment, healthcare, career exploration and training. We meet the basic needs of these young adults such as food and shelter and provide mentoring and emotional support.
As a Relative, you help us sustain the vital supports so critical to these youth, today and everyday.
Thank you for being a part of this important work.
Trish Hobson
Executive Director
Join the 21-Day Challenge!
United Way of Central Carolinas is hosting a Racial Equity 21-Day Challenge that takes individuals on a daily journey of learning and self-discovery to develop more effective social justice habits around issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. The goal is to build new understandings and connections and begin dismantling systemic racism.
Join UWCC and thousands of people across the Charlotte region uniting to learn and grow with the #uwccEquityChallenge. Sign up at uwccEquityChallenge.org for the 21-day virtual learning journey, starting tomorrow, January 18. You will receive an email each weekday with links to articles, videos, podcasts and more about a specific topic.
Thank You for Making the Season Bright!
You gave our youth and young adults so many reasons to celebrate this season. In the month of December alone, there were 63 donation drop-offs, totaling hundreds of much-needed items, including sleeping bags, clothing, baby items, snack packs, and home goods. 97 volunteers took time out of their hectic holiday schedule to host workshops and drop off home-cooked meals. And 212 donors reached into their pockets to ensure our programs and crisis shelter could operate without stopping a beat.
All of you coming together means that youth were able to have a happy holiday, even in the midst of their crisis. Thank you for Being A Relative and making this season bright!
Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on The Relatives through last fall’s stakeholder survey! As promised, we’ll be sharing results in the newsletter throughout the year and will be using your feedback to ensure you feel engaged, appreciated, and part of The Relatives family. For example, when asked why you are passionate about The Relatives’ mission, one survey respondent said: “Children deserve to be safe and have an opportunity to thrive.”
Missed the survey? Have additional thoughts you would like to share? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Philanthropy Manager, Nick Stewart, with any thoughts, questions or ideas you may have about The Relatives.
