Home » Homeless Street Outreach in the Lake Norman area

Homeless Street Outreach in the Lake Norman area

The Ada Jenkins Center’s homeless outreach program finds people living on the streets, and connects them with housing, safety, and resources
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In May 2021, the Ada Jenkins Center added a new area of service. Our Homeless Street Outreach helps individuals and families who are unsheltered or housing-insecure. 

Homelessness often looks different here in the north end of the county.

A temporary financial or life crisis (for example: job furlough, layoff, or health emergency) can lead to homelessness.

  • A one-bedroom apartment in Cornelius, Davidson, or Huntersville can cost $1,200+ per month.
  • Families may be living in a tent, or their car, in another family’s apartment, or in a hotel using the last of their savings.  
  • Our client Tania, for example, experienced financial crisis when her young daughter needed heart surgery.  We found them transitional housing while they’re waiting for permanent housing.
  • Another client, Daria, is living in her car to escape a domestic violence situation. We connected her with counseling and housing options. 

What are the challenges?

Homeless individuals have difficulty obtaining or maintaining employment because:

  • They have no place to shower
  • There’s no place to store clean and dry clothing
  • They lack access to transportation  

But you can help them on the path to self-sufficiency.

  • If you know of someone who may be homeless, please call our Street Outreach coordinator at 704-519-6472 or click here.
  • Provide a description of the person, where they were seen, what time of day and day of the week.
  • We’ll find them and provide critical items such as blankets, food, and water.
  • We’ll discuss emergency shelter (or other housing) options and make appropriate referrals depending on their needs.  

The numbers are growing. In August 2021 we reached out to 27 unsheltered people. By January 2022, we’d assisted 76 people.  Thank you for helping these people in need.

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The Ada Jenkins Center has stood in Davidson for more than 80 years as a hub for education and community services in northern Mecklenburg County. Our services include:

  • housing, employment and financial coaching
  • youth and adult education
  • food pantry
  • financial assistance and community resources

Each year we help thousands of people in our community create lasting solutions for economic stability.