Building Stability
Ultimately, the goal at the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte (MSC) is to achieve an end to homelessness for each man we serve. Accomplishing the goal requires three key ingredients: income, housing, and support. However, beginning this journey requires a basic level of stability. This is where MSC’s emergency shelters play a critical role. Providing someone in crisis a safe place to sleep, meals, showers, clothing, and other basic necessities is not only loving and humane, it’s essential for stability. Stability paves the way for progress. Offering stability through our emergency shelters (located on our Statesville Avenue and Tryon Street campuses) is the first step for many men in addressing their situation and establishing a plan to end their homeless experience. Being part of their immediate safety net builds upon their stability by establishing trust with our staff, which leads to motivation and success.
This is why it’s so important that MSC has shelter facilities to welcome men and help them begin to end their homeless experience. Maintaining these shelters is not inexpensive, but so worth it to help thousands of men return to our community and their roles as husbands, fathers, employees, and citizens. That’s why were so grateful for the support of American Airlines and the hard work of Rodgers Builders as we embark upon improving the shower and restroom facilities at our Statesville Avenue campus this week. In three weeks our men will have a new, functioning shower area to provide for their basic needs within the safety of our emergency shelter. These men are hard at work seeking employment, increasing their income, completing the process to access their benefits and a host of other activities that will end their homeless experience.
Next up are major improvements to our Tryon Street campus, but this week we’re focused on getting though our Statesville Ave shelter shower renovation – thanks to the generous support of American Airlines!