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Author: Dazia Miller

by
Stories
October 27, 2023

Krista's Journey:

We have all experienced fights and clashes with our family, but what happens when that leaves you with little support, resorting to couch hopping just to have a roof over your head? This was Krista’s reality. Krista, 25, has been pregnant before and now has a 2-year-old son. With her first pregnancy, she had a lot of support from her mother making sure she could get to doctors’ appointments and even helping her care for her newborn son’s needs after birth. Some months ago, Krista found herself pregnant with her second child – she was going to have a sweet baby girl. She knew that meant she couldn’t keep couch hopping and needed to find her own place. However, with the unborn baby’s father getting locked up, the passing of her own father at the beginning of the year, and now being estranged from her mother, Krista realized she needed help but had nowhere to go. 

Krista applied to live at Crittenton and was accepted into the Maternity Program. Crittenton has been able to provide her with safe housing, consistent meals, life skills classes, and access to prenatal care. Most impactful for Krista, however, has been the chance to begin therapy. She grew up feeling like an outcast in her family and experienced trauma growing up. She was also shot in the arm during her first pregnancy which led to a pre-eclampsia diagnosis. Krista said therapy is helping her work through her PTSD and anger issues she developed. She wants to continue to heal and grow to ensure she is her best self for her children.  

Krista felt the parenting classes Crittenton offers have helped her learn more about how to care for her future newborn. With her first child, her mother took on most of the tasks that come with caring for a newborn. Krista understands that she will mostly be doing all of that on her own with her second child, so she is grateful to learn more skills to effectively care for both of her children. “I’m going to show them love, but not tough love how my parents did. I also want them to know they can come to me about anything. You can come and talk to me. I don’t want my kids to feel unloved, unwanted, or like they’re out here on their own,” she said.  

At Crittenton, she has also become more aware of the vocational resources and opportunities available to her. Her motivation to succeed and provide for her children is stronger than ever, with hopes of owning her own clothing business one day. Crittenton and its supporters have provided Krista with a place to work on her mental health and her goals before she transitions to independence following birth. She feels empowered to believe in herself and provide a better life for her children than she had growing up.  

 

 

 

Image by <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/parent-spending-quality-time-with-their-children_17805094.htm#page=2&query=mom%20with%20two%20kids&position=18&from_view=search&track=ais">Freepik</a>

by
NewsAndEvents
October 17, 2023

Get your golf clubs ready because it’s time for Crittenton’s 15th Annual B.D. Rodgers Memorial Golf Tournament! This full day event is a celebration of B.D. Rodgers’ longtime commitment to Crittenton and the Charlotte community. The action-packed day will include:

  • 18 holes of golf
  • Friendly golf contests
  • A shopping experience
  • Exciting prize drawings
  • Giveaways
  • Lunch & dinner
  • Networking opportunities with other prominent companies in the construction industry

Click here to visit the tournament’s official website which includes the schedule and additional details.

by
blog
October 4, 2023


In the spirit of spooky October, I want to talk about “wicked” problems. These vast problems sure can be scary, but if we work together, we can make them much less terrifying. SO, what exactly are wicked problems? In the realm of societal issues, there exists a category of challenges that defy conventional problem-solving approaches. These are known as “wicked problems.” Today, we embark on an educational journey to explore what makes a problem wicked and why it’s especially relevant to organizations like Crittenton. We’ll delve into how Crittenton addresses these wicked problems and how you, as an individual or donor, can play a pivotal role in helping find solutions.

Understanding Wicked Problems

Wicked problems are not your run-of-the-mill challenges. Coined by Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber in the late 1960s, the term “wicked problems” refers to societal issues that are complex, multifaceted, and resistant to resolution. These problems share several defining characteristics:

No Clear Definition: Wicked problems are often difficult to define due to their multifaceted nature, diverse perspectives, and ever-changing context.

Interconnectedness: The factors contributing to wicked problems are intertwined, making it challenging to isolate individual causes or solutions.

No Ultimate Solution: Unlike “tame” problems that have straightforward answers, wicked problems lack a single, definitive solution. Instead, they require ongoing, adaptive efforts.

Social Complexity: These problems often involve societal and cultural factors, amplifying their complexity.

Wickedness & Crittenton

Crittenton’s mission revolves around addressing the multifaceted, interconnected challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly young women and mothers in the foster care system, and pregnant women and girls in general. Here’s how the issues Crittenton works to address can be considered wicked problems:

Interconnected Challenges: Many of the young women and mothers served by Crittenton face a web of challenges—poverty, trauma, substance abuse, educational gaps—that are deeply intertwined and cannot be resolved in isolation.

No One-Size-Fits-All Solutions: Crittenton recognizes that each client’s journey is unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the complex challenges they face. Instead, personalized, holistic approaches are required.

Changing Context: The landscape of foster care, healthcare, and social services is continually evolving. Crittenton must adapt and respond to changing policies, societal attitudes, and available resources.

Long-Term Commitment: Addressing the root causes of the challenges faced by Crittenton’s clients is not a one-time effort but a long-term commitment. Success often necessitates sustained support and resources.

You Can Help Find Solutions These Spooky, Wicked Problems

Now that we’ve unraveled the concept of wicked problems and their relevance to Crittenton, you might be wondering how you can make a difference. Here’s your call to action:

Donate: Your financial support can help provide essential services, resources, and programs to those facing wicked problems. Even a small donation can have a significant impact.

Volunteer: If you have the time and skills to spare, consider volunteering with Crittenton. Your expertise can contribute to crafting innovative solutions.

Spread Awareness: Share the stories and mission of Crittenton with your network. Raising awareness about these wicked problems is the first step in driving change.

Advocate: Use your voice to advocate for policies and initiatives that support individuals facing complex challenges. Advocate for the importance of addressing wicked problems at the community and policy levels.

Stay Informed: Continually educate yourself about the issues Crittenton addresses. The more you understand, the better equipped you are to be part of the solution.

It is clear that wicked problems are complex, interconnected societal challenges that demand innovative solutions and unwavering commitment. Crittenton’s dedication to addressing these issues is commendable, but we can’t do it alone. Your involvement, whether through donations, volunteering, advocacy, or awareness spreading, is vital in navigating and eventually solving these wicked problems. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope and healing to those in need.

Written by Dazia Miller, MPA
Crittenton Development Associate

Questions or comments? Contact dmiller@crittentonofnc.org

 

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blog, News, Upcoming Events
August 25, 2023

August is Black Philanthropy month! Starting in 2001, Black Philanthropy Month was created by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland with the intention of uplifting and advancing equity for those of African descent through giving. The focus is on highlighting and giving voice to organizations that are by the Black community and for the Black community. As an organization with 50% or more Black leadership and 50% or more Black clientele served, Crittenton stands as a perfect organization to support and elevate this month. The big day of giving is on August 28, but you can give anytime and champion Crittenton’s work here.

As we reflect on the inequities that still remain in our society, it is critical to be aware of them, but also actively work to solve them. We must do more to even the playing field and allocate additional resources for health and success towards those traditionally underserved groups. With our current focus on Black Philanthropy Month, there is an opportunity to be intentional about supporting the Black Community and being a part of the change.

Crittenton’s mission is to promote healing, hope and empowerment by providing comprehensive health, counseling, and education services for single pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents and women, mothers and their babies in the foster care system. This past year, 60% of all Crittenton’s clients were Black women and girls. Most of them came from backgrounds and experiences of trauma, abuse, and poverty, and were either pregnant, and/or in foster care when they arrived.

Crittenton acts as a pause point for our clients – a chance to catch their breath, deactivate survival mode, and navigate their next steps. From the day they arrive, we offer our clients safe and secure housing, regular, nutritious meals, access to prenatal, health, and mental health care, substance use disorder prevention and/or treatment, individualized support and counseling, and vocational and educational training and support. After having their babies or exiting foster care and moving on from Crittenton, many of our clients go on to secure stable housing, employment, and independence. Not only does this positively impact their present quality of life, but also their future and children’s future.

Whether or not you choose to give, we hope you will take some time to reflect on what actions you can take to ignite equitable change in our own Charlotte community. Together, we can change the narrative and create better tomorrows for our clients and for our communities as a whole.

If you want to learn more about Crittenton, please visit our Programs page or check out our social media.

by
News, NewsAndEvents
June 21, 2023

CHARLOTTE, NC – Crittenton has received $2,000 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help feed neighbors in their time of need. Crittenton will use the gift to continue to create better tomorrows for the at-risk and historically under-resourced clients we serve each day.

Crittenton’s mission is to promote healing, hope, and empowerment by providing comprehensive health, counseling, and education services for single pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents and women, mothers and their babies in the foster care system.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $17.8 million in grants.

About The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C. Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $17.8 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs, Kids Café’s, and other hunger-relief programs as well as funding for long-term programs to help shorten the lines at food banks. The charitable foundation partners with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief agency, in addition to local food agencies serving the 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states in which Food Lion operates. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com/in-our-community.

About Food Lion
Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Through its ‘Count on me’ culture, Food Lion fosters a sense of belonging for all associates, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that has supported LGBTQ+ equality for nearly two decades. Food Lion is the only company in the country to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 22 consecutive years. It also pioneered a food rescue program to support food-insecure neighbors. Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 1 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com.

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