HHH Participates in Davidson Solidarity Sleep-Out

Larry Thornwell, homeless for over 20 years, shares he story with students.
Helen Woodson poses on a park bench before bed.

Donnard Fuller and Rollon Washington on Tuesday morning.

At 10 pm on Monday, April 21st a diverse group of over 50 people gathered on the steps of the Chambers building on Davidson College's campus. Nearly 20 of the group were homeless. If they were not on those steps that night, that would be in a homeless camp or the emergency winter shelter in Charlotte. Instead, they were gathered with 30+ students to share the stories of their lives.

Students with the group "Engage for Change" had organized a "solidarity sleep-out." Instead of a homeless simulation, the event was meant to bring together college students with members of the homeless community for meaningful conversation.

After introduction, the group split into small clusters in which 2-3 homeless individuals shared their stories with the students and gave the students an opportunity to ask questions. After over an hour of conversation, the group enjoyed a game of Apples to Apples (the best game ever), coffee, more conversation, and some rest on the grass of Chambers lawn.

At daybreak, the Charlotte group ventured back to the City, encouraged by the hospitality of the students. Said one participant Donnard Fuller, "I made a decision today to put my trust in the next generation."

A big thanks to Rachel Richardson and Mejin Leechor for organizing the event.

W&L Students Spend Spring Break with UMC

A group of 11 Washington & Lee Students spent their spring break with the Urban Ministry Center. They attended our HHH meeting and helped with our community clean-up.

The group quickly become attached to our community and many tears were shed upon their leaving. We are grateful for the light that they brought to us and the light from us that they will carry back.

HHH Supports More Affordable Housing Bonds

Above: Member Rollon Washington is interviewed by the media after the Council meeting

Last night, six members of HHH and an additional 20 community members attended the City Council Meeting in support of more affordable housing bonds. The Housing Trust Fund advisory board suggested the City Council put $30 million of affordable housing bonds on November ballots and suggested setting aside $7.5 million for housing for the homeless community. This is great news, as 2/3rds of those who need housing can afford to pay less than $300 each month. Currently, the City Manager has suggested only $10 million in his current budget. HHH looks forward to advocating for the City Council to increase that $10 million to $30 million!

From today's Observer:

Funding sought for affordable housing
Council is asked for 3 times the amount the city manager advises
JULIA OLIVER
joliver@charlotteobserver.com
The Charlotte Housing Trust Fund asked City Council on Monday for a $30 million bond issue to provide needed low-income housing in the city.
That's three times what the city manager has recommended.
"The question is, would you want more taxes to meet this request?" Mayor Pat McCrory asked the council.
But Trust Fund leaders and advocates for the poor pointed to a study that says the city will be short 17,000 affordable housing units in the next four years. More than a third of that is needed for people making less than $8,000 a year.
Those people are also the most expensive to serve.
"We really need the city to be the catalyst," said Liz Clasen, associate director of the Urban Ministry Center, who was at the meeting with several homeless men and others supporting the Trust Fund's request.
Trust Fund board members said more public money would allow the agency to help more of the city's poorest residents. Some can afford less than $300 rent a month, said the board vice chairman Tylee Kessler. She also pointed out that the foreclosure crisis will only make the need greater.
Much of the debate among City Council members Monday was about where to put affordable housing. Several council members have complained that low-income housing is concentrated in certain districts.
"Everyone's for affordable housing unless it's next door to them," McCrory said.
At one point, Councilman Michael Barnes snapped at the mayor.
"We do not want or need any more cheap starter-home communities or cheap apartments in northeast Charlotte," he said, adding: "Under your leadership, it's only gotten worse."
Though the Housing Trust Fund does have a policy prohibiting new units in certain areas, Councilman Anthony Foxx pointed out that it also has limited control over where the housing goes. The Trust Fund loans or grants money to private developers, who build the low-income housing.
Whatever amount the City Council settles on during budget discussions in coming weeks must then go before voters for approval in November.

HHH Members Trained on Public Speaking

Thanks to the generosity and skills of Dave Reindhart, 11 HHH members participated in a training on public speaking. The group learned the importance of visual clues when presenting and got to practice skills such as eye contact when speaking to one another. We look forward to Dave returning to help us each with our HHH elevator speech. Thanks, Dave!

HHH Complete Wellstone Training

Below: Humphrey, Rollon, Jerry, and Stacey enjoying a meal at Golden Corral.Below: Group poses at the Student Center of NC State where the training took place

Below: Group Shot of Humphrey, Stacey, jerry, Liz and Rollon
Below: Humphrey's group presented to the entire training and Humprhey did an excellent job role-playing, trying to convince a group of senior citizens to join their efforts for a living wage.


On March 28th, five members of HHH jumped in a mini-van headed to Raleigh to attend the Camp Wellstone training for community activists. Based on the legacy of former Senator Paul Wellstone, the training emphasizes the combination of grassroots organizing, electoral politics, and good public policy. Members enjoyed the balance of personal reflection and skill-building.

Read the below reflection from member Stacy Williams on the trip:

Thank you and Urban Ministries again for giving me the opportunity to attend the Wellstone training.

The training was very valuable. It provided insight into advocating for change through effective media usage and activism.

It broadened my views about leadership and how I view power in the world and within myself . It gave me a chance to reflect on my abilities to effect positive change and made me realize that one can do any and everything.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with the members of HHH. It was an awesome experience being able to bond with you and Jerry, Rollon and Humphrey. I found great pleasure in watching the gentleman interact with each other and the other training participants.

The trip further affirmed that I am a part of the HHH family. I look forward to other trips.

Thank you again for this opportunity of growth and enlightenment.

Stacey L. Williams