The Relatives Family Update
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If it were up to me, then I would spend every weekday cooking for and feeding other people. Unfortunately, though, I have a job and a mortgage that isn’t going to pay itself.
My name is Lisa Washington, and I am a volunteer with The Relatives.
As you’ve probably already gathered, I love to cook and I love to serve. The Relatives has given me the opportunity to do both, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: It feels good! Connecting with the other volunteers, preparing healthy fulfilling meals, and interacting with the young people at the On Ramp Resource Center brings me a great deal of joy.
More importantly, it brings joy to the young people at The Relatives. On my third or fourth visit a young man, Caden, popped his head into the kitchen and saw me making a casserole. Caden’s face broke into a wide grin, and he said: “You’re back! I know lunch is going to be good today!” Then he asked me if I had ever considered opening a restaurant and I laughed. I love to serve, but not that much!
I’ll let you in on another secret. I occasionally find myself getting angry at the unfair circumstances and disparities some young people, like Caden, have faced. But I remind myself that while I can’t always do much about someone’s yesterdays, I can bring joy to the young people at The Relatives in the moment. And joy is something everyone deserves to experience.
If you’re reading this, then I would imagine you probably feel the same way I do about The Relatives and the young people they serve. Thank you! Your support brings joy to those who need it most.
Lisa Y. Washington, M.A.; PhD
The Relatives Volunteer
P.S. If you would like to experience joy and pass some on to the young people at The Relatives, then there are so many opportunities for you to get involved.
A Point In Time To Make a Difference
The Relatives Street Outreach program was initially a team of one: Itiel “IT” Jones. Over the past year, the Street Outreach program has grown to include young adults who have received services at the On Ramp Resource Center.
80% of the over 900 young people who receive services at On Ramp have identified housing as their number one need. Each year, Mecklenburg County conducts a Point in Time (PIT) count, surveying the sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations in our community. This year’s count included IT and our Peer-to-Peer Outreach team joining Mecklenburg County volunteers to assist in surveying the local youth population.
For the past three years IT has visited local shelters, transportation centers, and other spaces frequented by unhoused young people to let them know help is available. IT is now accompanied and assisted by young adults with firsthand knowledge of life on the streets. Their expertise gives The Relatives a unique insight into reaching and best serving this often-hidden population.
Because The Relatives believes all lived experience is valuable, the young adults walking beside IT as youth advocates and outreach team members are paid for their time. These young people also receive workforce development training through The Relatives employment readiness program.
Celebrate Safe Place Week and #WalkAMileForRobert
The Relatives will join communities across the country to celebrate National Safe Place Week March 16th through March 23rd.
Every year The Relatives honors Robert, an unhoused young man who walked the mile from Freedom Park to The Relatives Youth Crisis Center, saw the Safe Place sign, and found the help he so desperately needed.
This year you have two special opportunities to #WalkAMileForRobert!
#WalkAMileForRobert with the Charlotte Knights:
Join The Relatives and the Charlotte Knights at Truist Field (324 S Mint St.) on Tuesday March 18 at 11:00 a.m. for a one mile walk around Uptown Charlotte. RSVP today and receive a free Safe Place t-shirt courtesy of QuikTrip, while supplies last!
#WalkAMileForRobert at On Ramp:
Join the staff and young people at The Relatives On Ramp Resource Center (2219 Freedom Dr.) on Friday March 21 at 1:00 p.m. for a walk honoring Robert and the thousands of young people who have found relief thanks to the Safe Place program. RSVP today and receive a free Safe Place t-shirt, courtesy of QuikTrip, while supplies last!
Can’t join us? The Relatives invites you to #WalkAMileForRobert, post your photos, and tag @therelatives during Safe Place Week.
Prepped and Dressed for Success
At The Relatives, 87% of the youth and young adults we serve are Black, compared with the overall demographics of Mecklenburg County where 33% of residents are Black. It’s clear there’s an intersection between race and disproportionate access to education, housing, quality healthcare, employment opportunities, and advancement.
One of the ways The Relatives empowers every young person we serve to work towards a stable future is through our employment program. Young people at The Relatives have access to jobs, training programs, resume building services, and interview coaching.
The Relatives spends an average of $1,227 each month on interview attire and transportation, ensuring young people have the confidence and means necessary to achieve excellence.
You can empower youth and young adults experiencing crisis in our community by making a gift today.
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