Updated: April 23, 2009
Project Overview
There are 2,507 children identified as homeless in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. These children are living in shelters, pay-by-week motels, doubled-up with others and some are living in cars. This housing instability creates many challenges for these children. They:
· Typically fall 2-3 grade levels behind in school
· Are twice as likely to be sick
· Suffer anxiety and mental health challenges 3 times more than their housed peers.
Solution
We have the opportunity to help stabilize these children. Hall House, a Charlotte Housing Authority property, is available to provide safe, temporary, transitional housing for up to 100 families of homeless children. To truly stabilize these children, this project would provide more than just housing. Families will be provided with services to help them move beyond their current situation.
Collaborating Partners
Charlotte Housing Authority, Salvation Army, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and A Child’s Place.
How your organization can support the Hall House
Meals: We are requesting that faith-based organizations and corporations consider providing meals for the Hall House residents. Opportunities include:
Dinner Service — Each evening. A prepared, buffet-style dinner to serve 150 adults and children. Limited preparation (heating) of the meal can be done in the Hall House kitchen. Preparation could begin as early as 4:00 and the meal would be served at 5:30 on weekdays and 5:00 on weekends.
Brunch Service — Saturday and Sundays from 9 until 1. This will be a buffet-style brunch that features both breakfast and lunch items for 75 adults and children.
Pantry items: If your organization would like to donate items for the Hall House pantry we are accepting non-perishable items such as cereal, peanut butter, pop-tarts, tuna, microwavable meals and various snacks.
Please contact Sarah Butt at sarah.butt@foresthills.org for more information. You may also sign up below.
Children’s Activities: Consider signing up to provide educational activities for children on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. These activities could be gender or age specific and all supplies would need to be provided. Ideas include: making Valentines, lessons about the environment, art appreciation, yoga classes or social groups. The demographics of the children residing at the Hall House are:
- Infant-Toddler—20 Children
- Preschool (3-4 years)-14 Children
- Elementary School Age-85 Children
- Middle School Age-16 Children
- High School Age-6 Children
If your organization is interested in signing up for an activity day, please email:
Saturday Activities Coordinator- Robin Strayhorn 704.900.8705 or rstrayhorn1@carolina.rr.com
Sunday Activities Coordinator- Lizanne Miskelly 704.333.9081 X106 or lamiskelly@fumccharlotte.org
After School Tutoring: If you or your organization is interested in providing after school tutoring for students, please email abrunton@achildsplace.org or call 704-343-3790 Ext. 9551.
Mother’s Morning Out: This cooperative program between resident and community volunteers provides mothers of infants and toddlers a window of opportunity to seek employment, meet with family members, etc. without the need to coordinate child care. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Deanna Carvalho at deannasavia@gmail.com.
Items needed for Mother's Morning Out:
Additional cleaning supplies: Lysol, anti-bacterial wipes, large trash bags and a large trash can)
Latches to secure lower cabinets
Child blankets
Diapers and pull ups for all sizes
Mats for children to take naps on
At least 2 cribs for the infants
Padding for the beams (safefy precaution)
Rugs or mats for babies to crawl on
Tape
Pictures or posters for the walls
Folders/files
First Aid kits
Cusions for rocking chair
high chairs
