Welcome to Our First Email Newsletter

Friends,
We are so excited to share with you the first edition of our email newsletter. This is our chance to share all the wonderful things that are happening in our organization with those who have given so much of themselves to help make it all possible.

In the midst of the challenges that this past year has brought for so many, we are extremely proud of our organization's successes. In the past year, we have helped more than 1,400 youth and families feel safe and build lasting relationships through our crisis shelter, counseling services, crisis calls and parenting classes. Problems related to family conflict, such as youth running away from home or being kicked out of their homes are certainly increasing today. Our current economic situation has led to a rise in family homelessness, family discord, and the need for a helping hand to push forward during these trying times. We are honored that so many youth and families have trusted us to be that helping hand.

This year, we were also recognized by Mecklenburg County's Board of County Commissioners and The Charlotte City Council for our long-standing work with youth and families in this community. We are celebrating 35 years of Keeping Kids Safe and Families Together. With this celebration comes our commitment to finding new ways of helping people in this community during the times they need us most. We know this can't be done without partners and supporters like you, so we salute you and look forward to many more years of great partnerships and great success.

Thank you all for helping make this happen.




Bennon Graham
Executive Director


Breakfast with The Relatives Set for November 10

The second annual Breakfast with The Relatives is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 7 until 8 a.m., at the Dilworth United Methodist Church on East Boulevard. The purpose of the event is to share how The Relatives is currently pursuing its 35-year mission to keep kids safe and family's together, and to ask for support from the community.

The Relatives board of advisors is seeking table captains for the event who will be able to invite friends, business associates and family members to the breakfast and share their enthusiasm for the shelter's services. To sign up to be a table captain, help sponsor the breakfast, or get more information, contact Sharon Bremer (sbremer@TheRelatives.org) or phone her at 704.377.0602.


New Business Startup Helps The Relatives

Lori Martin of Charlotte launched a new business May 6 with an event that featured not only her products, but a pitch for The Relatives as well. Over 50 people attended the launch event for The Purple Martin (http://thepurplemartinandco.blogspot.com), a business that seeks to help families create handbooks containing important family information.

At the new business kickoff, Lori introduced her "Families Helping Families" initiative which hopes to raise awareness and funding for The Relatives. Lori's daughter, Emma, sold hats with the Purple Martin & Co. logo embroidered on them and donated the profits to The Relatives.


Two Dilworth Institutions Share Spotlight

The Dilworth Criterium, one of the oldest bike races in the Southeast, offered The Relatives a chance to tell its story to hundreds of people who turned out May 2 for the 36th annual race. Representatives from the shelter took to the finish line stage to talk about the youth program, and thank spectators for helping support both the race and the shelter. Proceeds from the sale of food at the event were donated to the shelter.

The Dilworth Criterium was started just one year before the founding of The Relatives, making both among the more prominent Dilworth institutions. This year's event was won by Ken Hanson. Next year's event is scheduled for May 1.


The Relatives Gets Mentioned in Observer Article on Faith-based Funding

The Relatives was mentioned in an article in The Charlotte Observer Tues., June 10, by religious reporter Tim Funk entitled Can charitable agencies be saved? It's a matter of faith. In the article The Relatives Executive Director Brennon Graham comments on the shelter's ongoing effort to get area churches more involved in the agency's programs. To read the story, Click This Link (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/770758.html).


Share This Newsletter with a Friend

The Relatives is the only youth shelter for kids unaccompanied by an adult in Mecklenburg County. Services are free to youth and paid for by grants and gifts from people like you. We hope you'll share this newsletter with a friend and invite them to learn more about The Relatives by either Registering to get the newsletter (http://www.TheRelatives.org/register.html), attending one of the shelter's monthly lunch and tour events, or visiting www.TheRelatives.org.