I'm thrilled to be part of an amazing team of individuals that are committed towards making a real impact in our community. Employees from BCNC, myself, and others came together on September 13, 2024 for our ongoing workshop series, Empowerment Unleashed. We did so with a goal in mind to help reduce homelessness in Durham, NC by providing essential skills for professional and personal development. This initiative brought together leaders from a variety of community focused organizations such as Durham County Library, Samaritan Health, Kramden Institute, United Way of the Greater Triangle, Wake Tech, Sistahs Who Care, and The Rules of a Big Boss to provide critical skills and support to residents at Families Moving Forward (FMF). For those who may not know, FMF is a 30-90 day homeless service provider in Durham that’s dedicated towards helping families transition to stable housing.
One of the day’s highlights included our “What not to do” interview skits. Picture us high-fiving the interviewer and steering every question towards personal drama. And me? Well, you just had to be there to see how outlandish I was! After each skit, we paused to let the audience tell us where we went wrong and how we could have done better.
In addition to some good laughs, we also introduced participants to vital resources, from affordable healthcare options to educational opportunities. We even gave a sneak peek of what's to come in future sessions and spinoff events. Speaking of spinoffs, we're excited to team up with Ernst & Young for financial literary workshop for children and adults. It'll cover topics like budgeting, opening a bank account, understanding credit, and identity protection.
As much as education mattered, I believe that the box lunches from our sponsor, Chop House BBQ may have stolen the show. Chef Marcus, owner and operator, generously donated delicious BBQ meals, complete with cookies and more for 50 people. Let me tell you, not a single bite was left uneaten! In fact, Tasha Melvin, Executive Director of FMF, joked with me afterward about being a regular customer, even asking me to save her a plate. And I did.
Tasha also shared some heartwarming feedback. She emphasized how much of a difference our workshops and personalized care are making in the lives of FMF residents. Many of them are taking full advantage of the resources we’ve provided, and they’re looking forward to more events through our partnership.
But here’s the thing, none of this happens without community support. FMF is always looking for dedicated volunteers who are willing to share their time, resources, and knowledge to help families in need. Your involvement is essential in helping families find stability.
If you're interested in joining our mission to break barriers and serve with purpose, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Tasha or myself. Let’s keep pushing forward—one workshop, one meal, and one act of kindness at a time! Together we can make health care better for all starting in our own little community of Durham, NC.
I love the work you are doing in the community. Keep doing it and so proud of your wife and daughter. Blessings, Sandra C. Bartell