Meet Our Neighbor Deborah

If you were to define Deborah in one word it would be: determined. For years, Deborah was the sole caretaker of her parents as they both fought cancer, and although she feels as though she was called to take care of people, it was hard. When Deborah’s mother passed away from breast cancer at a young age, she knew that she had to find a way to help others.

Unfortunately, at the time, life had other plans for Deborah. Faced with the unimaginable, Deborah fled an abusive relationship with her seven little girls – all aged within a year or two of each other in search of safe housing.

Deborah is not alone. Over 40% of Charlotte’s homeless population identifies as female. “It’s hard being homeless as a female on the street. Stuff can happen to your out there. It’s hard. It’s dangerous.”

At Supportive Housing Communities, we strive to provide innovative solutions to help prevent homelessness in our community. This year, SHC celebrates our 30th anniversary since we became Charlotte’s first permanent housing nonprofit in 1993. We have been able to offer that safe housing that Deborah so desperately needed for the past 30 years and will continue to do so as long as we are able to. How? Because of one simple thing: generosity.

Deborah found SHC during her 8-month stay at a women’s shelter and has called McCreesh Place home for the last 2 years. The stability of safe housing allowed Deborah to remember her calling to be a caretaker and her determination has led her to Central Piedmont Community College. While she obtains her GED and sets her sights on her CNA certification, Deborah is working full-time at the Westin. Determined. Stable. And Safe.

There is still so much work to be done. Will you consider becoming a monthly donor for $30 in honor of our 30-year anniversary of re-housing our vulnerable Charlotte neighbors like Deborah? —Your ongoing commitment will ensure we continue to reach all those in need for another 30 years.