It's an interfaith organization that serves the poor and homeless people, a "ministry of presence" for our neighbors. It opened in the old Seaboard Train Station in 1995.
Who are our "Neighbors"?
At the Center, we refer those who come to us for help as "neighbors", not as "the homeless" or "clients". We are mindful that Jesus called on us to:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
This wise teaching, quoted from the Torah, is shared by Judiasm, Christianity, Islam, and many of the World's other great religious and ethical traditions.
Is the Center just a soup kitchen? A shelter?
UMC has a lot of components: St. Peter's Soup Kitchen (founded 25 years ago, St. Peter's Episcopal Church), laundry, shower, telephone, and mail services. We also offer drop-in counseling, outreach programs including self-help, writing, art, soccer, and a community garden, and we host SABER, a "housing first" therapy program.
We are not a shelter and unfortunately cannot offer overnight lodging. However, in the winter we coordinate Room in the Inn which provides shelter in churches and other institutions. We also work actively to increase housing and shelter options.
What kind of counseling does the Center provide?
Counselors are mostly volunteers who try to connect people to services. We also have full-time job and housing counselors. We try most of all to provide a "ministry of presence", meaning we try to develop relationships with neighbors by listening respectfully, being a sounding board, and whenever possible working with them as partners and friends.
What do volunteers do at the Center?
Minister and build relationships with the neighbors, by offering compassion and a listening ear! Work behind the scenes. And do everything-in-between! Desk Ministers, Counselors, Office Workers, and Phone Receptionists, Artists, Translators, Van Drivers, Lunch Servers - all gifts are welcome!
What's the point of art, soccer and gardening programs?
Through art and writing, people tell their stories and celebrate their talents-and sell their work through the Artworks 945 gallery. Funds from our art sale are invaluable to the Center, which is not publicly funded, and provides both money and pride to Neighbors who participate.
Similarly, the soccer program reaches especially younger Neighbors, in a concrete way helping them to set goals and move away from drugs and other damaging choices. It also attracts positive publicity for programs to help the homeless, not just in Charlotte but around the world.
The garden not only provides organic food to the soup kitchen, with the hard work, planning and pride that such a project demands, it also beautifies the Center, provides a place for volunteer projects, and brings in income through Farmer's Market sales. Most of all, though, it allows volunteers and staff to work side-by-side as equals - tomatoes make no distinctions based on income or social class.
The point of all our outreach programs is not to provide "recreation" (though you do hear lots of healing laughter and heartfelt conversation that are rare in 'formal' counseling sessions), but to reach out to transform lives.
Who funds UMC?
Private funding gives the Center more flexibility in use of funds. We receive no government or United Way funding, funding comes from individuals, corporations, congregations and foundations.
Who are the homeless or poor (and why)?
Some people are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Some are mentally ill and have trouble keeping up with their medications. Some have simply lost their jobs and can no longer afford a place to stay. Some deal with domestic violence or physical disabilities. Here we think a homeless person is simply a person without a home. In all other ways, they may be just like anybody else. Sometimes a person who is poor is working full-time, but still has trouble paying the bills or can't save enough for a deposit on an apartment.
What's it like to be homeless?
Were you ever out of work? Depressed? Who was your hero growing up? Who encouraged you to do good in school? Who believed in you? Imagine not having that support.
How many homeless people are in Charlotte?
It's hard to tell, but we think there are currently (2007) 5,000 to 8,000 homeless people on any given night here, many of them women and children.
Where do homeless people sleep?
Some spend the night under bridges or in the woods or in their cars. Men can go to the Uptown Men's Shelter on N. Tryon Street (or in winter to the overflow, emergency shelter). Women and children can go to the Salvation Army's Women's Shelter. In the winter months (December 1 to March 31) people can sign up for Room in the Inn (women/children first, then men who are disabled or over 55, then young men), where they spend the night in local congregations and colleges.
