Need help? 3 nonprofits to host wellness fair for homeless in Charlotte’s Sugar Creek
Three nonprofits have teamed up to host the first of its kind health and wellness fair to bring food, health supplies and access to services for homeless or persons suffering from addiction in Charlotte’s Sugar Creek corridor.
Jessica Lefkowitz, executive director of Hearts For the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, is partnering with Champion House of Care and Project Outpour, also based in Charlotte to organize the event taking place Monday at a McDonald’s parking lot.
Sugar Creek has had a long history of human trafficking, sex work and homelessness, but since the pandemic all of these issues have worsened, Lefkowitz said.
She started her nonprofit organization in 2020 to help the homeless community she’s watched grow, hoping to connect them with services that may turn their lives around, she said. According to Mecklenburg County’s point-in-time count in January 2021, some 1,947 persons were homeless, up 21% or 343 people since 2020. As many as 14% slept in unsheltered locations.
“I just want them to know that there are people over here who are rooting for them, that want to support them, and get services to them,” Lefkowitz said.
Some of these services include STD testing by Atrium Health, food and health supplies brought by Block Love Charlotte — also a nonprofit — and COVID and HIV testing by the Mecklenburg County’s Health Department.
Applications for bus passes and identification cards also will be available, Janette Kinard, executive director of Champion House of Care, said.
Champion House of Care provides food and clothing for those without housing in the corridor and loops them to other resources, such as the West Charlotte Transient Child Initiative, Kinard said. The program provides children living in nearby motels with school supplies.
A common refrain she has heard is the lack of immediate access to important services, such as health clinic for check-ups or the Department of Motor Vehicle to get an ID. Transportation is often one of the barriers to those who need help, she said.
“It’s important to bring these resources out to them,” Kinard said.
Educating the population on their health and well being also is important in starting to make a change, she added. Sugar Creek is often forgotten due to its negative history when there is a real need for more services, Kinard said.
“When you see a child sleeping on the ground somewhere — it’s clear we need help,” she said.
A collaborative effort to educate families and provide them with services can help move them off of the streets, she said.
The third nonprofit, Project Outpour also will be on site to bring hygiene supplies. Laura Gorecki, its chief dignity officer, said the nonprofit typically operates a mobile shower for those without housing. Unfortunately, they are unable to bring it to the location.
“This area is very underserved,” she said of the fair’s need. “There’s just not a lot of services in that part of town.”
Gorecki said community-oriented events are key in trying to tackle the issues that plague Sugar Creek. The outreach workers that will be on site know the people through their committed work. This level of familiarity will help in making people feel comfortable and welcomed, Gorecki said.
She added when trying to assist people it’s important to meet them where they are.
“If someone wanted to access all these services it would take them many days to do this,” she said.
The three are hopeful more events like this one can continue to bring resources to the Sugar Creek area.
“We don’t want this to be one time because nobody goes to the doctor one time and they’re finished,” she said.
The Sugar Creek Corridor Health & Wellness Fair begins 11 a.m., Oct. 24, at the McDonald’s parking lot, 1201 W Sugar Creek Rd.
This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
