press releases
HOME AGAIN FOUNDATION RECEIVES DONATION FROM UNION COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
HOME AGAIN FOUNDATION RECEIVES DONATION FROM UNION COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® FOR BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOME FOR THE HOMELESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rachel Cody, Home Again Foundation, Marketing Manager
704.231.3247 rachel@homeagainclt.org
Matthews, NC (6/24/2020)– Home Again Foundation is pleased to announce it has received a $500 donation from the Union County Association of Realtors®. These funds will support the building campaign for the first home in Mint Hill, NC.
The Home Again Foundation is building homes to bring our homeless and low income “Home Again”. Not only are they building homes, but they also want to build a sense of community and bring back some dignity and pride to those that have hit troubled times. Home Again Foundation is dedicated to creating new beginnings through grants, donations, and fundraiser events.
“Giving is not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference” said Rick Gilbert, President and Founder of Home Again, “By donating to Home Again the Union County Association of Realtors® has helped the Foundation move forward with finalizing our first home and creating someone’s new beginning.”
The Union County Association of Realtors® and their Board of Directors channel designated funds each year to charities.
WHO: Home Again Foundation and the Union County Realtors Association
WHAT: Donation Presentation
WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2020, 2p.m.
WHERE: 10425 Briarhurst Place, Mint Hill, NC 28227
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About Home Again Foundation
Home Again Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, affordable housing with supportive services for the homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Home Again Foundation will provide the necessary tools for self-sufficiency by including life skills training, case management, housing assistance, and employment services. And when coupled with affordable housing, individuals and families that fall below the area medium income have a greater potential to push past their barriers. We are joining current community efforts to end the homeless experience or at least shorten it by developing programs that can help individuals on their path to self-sufficiency.
There are numerous programs for chronic homeless, for individuals with Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, as well as ex-offenders, and individuals with HIV/AIDS. There continues to be a growing need for assistance for the elderly, retired/injured veterans, families/individuals on fixed/low incomes, etc. Individuals that have a fixed income are at a greater disadvantage due to the rising housing cost in our communities. Home Again Foundation will be there to assist every step of the way! For more information, visit https://homeagainclt.org/
About Union County Association of Realtors®
Established 50 years ago in 1970, the Union County Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association representing the real estate industry in Union and Anson counties. In cooperation with the National Association of REALTORS® and the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, they are part of the largest and most influential professional trade organizations in the country. This partnership affords members access to a multitude of programs, resources, education, and industry briefing that enhances their effectiveness in assisting clients and consumers with all their real estate needs.
Press Releases
CHARLOTTE, NC (January 14, 2020) - Home Again Foundation announces Bringing Our Veterans Home Again Fundraising Event. This local event draws attention to veteran homelessness, one of the greatest unspoken casualties of war. Attendees of the event will enjoy an evening of entertainment and hear from speakers that are experts with the challenge’s veterans encounter and learn more on the homeless crisis in our communities. The funds collected will go towards the construction of Home Again Foundation’s first 8 cottages in Mecklenburg County.
Speakers included Lynn Marilla, the Executive Director and Founder of Eagle Rock Camp; Venus Hamilton, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program Supervisor; James Lee, a local homeless veteran; and Jane Axhoj, Miss North Carolina USA 2020.
"This is the time of year when we all reflect on our lives, finding gratitude and peace in where and who we are. But there are so many men, women, and families that will not be able to come together during this next season, torn apart by hunger and homelessness,” says Rick Gilbert, President and Founder of Home Again Foundation.
According to National Alliance to End Homelessness, in January 2019, communities across America identified 37,085 homeless veterans during point-in-time counts. Veterans continue to remain over-represented in the homeless population in America with more than 300 in our local communities.
"Veteran homelessness is widespread nationwide and sadly affects too many members of our community. Our veterans have given so much of themselves and their families, now it is time for us to take care of them. They should not be forgotten, and we believe they deserve a new beginning,” says Gilbert.
Home Again Foundation will change the game of the affordable housing crisis. Its purpose is to help individuals and families find and move into affordable housing while aligning with local agencies to provide supportive services. This organization is different because it will meet them where they are…financially, physically, and socially.
About Home Again Foundation
Home Again Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, affordable housing with
supportive services for the homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Home Again Foundation also coordinates supportive services to ensure success for those whom they serve. Home Again Foundation communities will be desirable and an asset for municipalities with rules and procedures implemented to ensure they continue to be attractive, safe havens well into the future. For more information, visit www.homeagainclt.org
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Charlotte Non Profit to Build Tiny Cottages for Homeless
March 24, 2019, Mint Hill, NC – They don’t want to build single family houses or an apartment complex where no one knows each other. The Home Again Foundation hopes to build what they call “Tiny Cottage” to bring our homeless “Home again” but also to build a sense of community and bring back some dignity and pride back to those that hit troubled times. The organization held their First Birthday Bash, in March to celebrate their progress in building a dream.
Rick Gilbert, Founder of Home Again Foundation, asked the song “I can only Imagine” to play before he told everyone why he founded Home Again. Rick shared, “After 23 years providing a temporary bed to sleep in for one night, I knew it wasn’t enough, I needed to do more.” He could only imagine what he’s going to be able to do now for a population of people who are so misunderstood. Rick and his family started Room in the Inn, at St. Luke Catholic Church over 23 years ago, to provide 12 people a place to sleep during the winter’s harshest months.
The Birthday Bash was emcee’d by “Coach LaMonte” Odums, co-host of The Morning Break show on WBTV. Coach LaMonte and his wife Stacia both gave an inspiring speech about their passion for the homeless. The backdrop of the night was provided for free by Groome’s Place and Joy Catering, which not only provided the location for free, but also donated all the food and support for the night. The music was provided by an up and coming band called Unknown Artist.
“Land has been donated and now we just need to build”, says Gilbert. The goal to raise over $50,000 in donations that night to build the first two cottages. And now, the dream is becoming a reality. The building site work has started, and they are on their way to their first cottage complete this year. The organization is still taking donations online at www.homeagainclt.org if you want to give.
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Heartfelt thank you to everyone who came last night
First, thank you to Big Chill for allowing us their venue. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree nights for presenting the colors, leading us in the pledge of allegiance & National Anthem, Town Commissioner Mark Tofano set up the POW/MIA table & helped educate the importance of the table & what it represents. We were able to recognize one special Hometown Hero last night, Mr. Charles Richardson a WW2 veteran, Our guest speaker Dennis Helms who is a Vietnam veteran that faced combat on Hamburger Hill, Willie Jones one of our residents who is a disable veteran that spoke last night.