The Relatives Family Update
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Volunteers are at the core of The Relatives family. 50 years ago, the parishioners at Dilworth United Methodist Church noticed children sleeping on benches in neighborhood parks. A group of volunteers from the church opened the doors of the church’s basement and created a shelter for homeless youth.
Over the past 50 years, The Relatives has grown from a church basement to a hub of resources directly responding to the ever-evolving needs of youth in crisis.
Amidst the growth and change experienced by The Relatives, one constant has been the unwavering support of our volunteers. Countless individuals have shared their strengths with and given their time to the young people at The Relatives.
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and honoring our wonderful, tireless volunteers is especially poignant as The Relatives celebrates its 50th anniversary. I want to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the volunteers who have helped create an extended family for the youth we serve. Your contributions have played an indispensable role in The Relatives’ 50-year history and your efforts help ensure we can continue serving the most vulnerable members of our community.
Thank you.
Trish Hobson
Executive Director
P.S. If you are interested in joining The Relatives’ family of volunteers, then please visit the Volunteer Page on our website to learn more and get started.
Urgent Need at The Relatives
The Relatives has an urgent need for adult-sized socks and underwear. You can give housing insecure young people the dignity that comes from access to clean clothes by shopping our Amazon Needs List or making a gift to help offset the cost.
Putting together Sock & Underwear Sets is a meaningful group volunteer activity which can be done in your home, office, school, house of worship, or any gathering space.
For more information on how to create an impactful Sock & Underwear Set, click here.
A New Relative At On Ramp
Like many Charlotteans, Elizabeth Daly wasn’t born here. However, after 38 years in Charlotte, Elizabeth considers this her hometown. Charlotte is where Elizabeth spent 25 years as a school teacher and librarian. Charlotte is also where she and her husband Chris raised their daughter Morgan, who is getting married later this month.
After retiring from CMS last July, Elizabeth knew she wanted to stay connected to the community and continue making a positive impact on young people. So, she attended a Volunteer Orientation then visited The Relatives for a Lunch & Learn.
As a resident of Dilworth, Elizabeth was very familiar with the Youth Crisis Center on East Blvd but knew less about the On Ramp Resource Center.
“On Ramp is a busy place,” says Elizabeth, “but a very welcoming one, too.”
Elizabeth volunteers twice a week in the On Ramp kitchen, making breakfast for the young people, assisting the staff, and even creating a new breakfast tradition the young people have really enjoyed.
“One morning, we had received a large number of potatoes from the food bank, so I made some breakfast potatoes for everyone. They’re easy to make but the young people at On Ramp loved them, so I started making them at home and bringing them in. If I don’t bring any with me, then everyone is really disappointed! I did the same thing with stewed apples. Simple recipes, but the young people at On Ramp really appreciate it.”
Elizabeth recently celebrated 50 volunteer hours at The Relatives and credits her consistent presence for the trust she’s been able to build with the young adults at On Ramp. “One young woman asked me for dating advice,” shares Elizabeth, “of course when she asked, she said: ‘When you were young.’”
Elizabeth says she leaves The Relatives “tired, but happy, and feeling as though I’ve accomplished something.”
There are many ways you can be a Relatives to youth in crisis. Click here to get started and view upcoming volunteer needs and opportunities.
Additional Ways To Be A Relative
Your support is vital to ensuring The Relatives can continue meeting the ever-evolving needs of young people in crisis.
Along with volunteer support, a one-time gift, or multi-year commitment, there are additional ways you can be a Relative to the most vulnerable members of our community:
• Donating Stock: Donating appreciated stock can provide significant tax benefits to you while allowing The Relatives to continue serving youth in crisis. By donating stock rather than selling and donating the sale value, you can potentially avoid capital gains taxes while maximizing the value of your contribution.
• Utilizing Donor-Advised Fund Accounts: Donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts offer a flexible and strategic way to support The Relatives. By contributing to your donor-advised fund, you can receive an immediate tax deduction while recommending grants to The Relatives over an extended period.
To make a stock donation, utilize your donor-advised fund account, or learn more about these options, please email Director of Philanthropy Caitlin Donley or call (704) 501-8253.
Add Your Voice to The Relatives’ 50th Anniversary!
How has The Relatives been a part of your life?
Please visit the link below to share your story. Let us know what being a Relative has meant to you as part of our 50th anniversary celebration.
