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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.