CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Alesha Brown – a civil rights attorney by trade – founded For the Struggle in 2019.
"I just hit the ground running, knocking on doors, asking folks about their needs, hosting canvassing efforts," Brown told WCNC Charlotte's Sarah French.
From those conversations, Brown learned about the great need for a Community Response Team to assist older Charlotteans.
"We do anything we can to help make sure our seniors stay healthy and to make sure they can stay in their homes and age in place, so to speak," Brown said. "Critical home repairs, we feed them twice a week, we feed about 104 seniors twice a week here on the corridor, healthy meals, nutritional meals in partnership with Loaves and Fishes."
Carolyn Rudolph is one of those seniors. She is provided with food, twice a week.
“The special meal that they bring, it really means a lot," Rudolph said.
She retired in 2012 and lives off of Beatties Ford Road.
“I live alone," she said. "So I look forward to Mondays and Wednesdays.”
Brown explained, "It's really just been an on-the-ground approach, a person approach, right, we treat everyone the same. We treat everyone with dignity, no matter what their circumstances are, and we have become a part of the community. And I think that is what, as you know, led us to growing so very quickly, because we have their trust."
“They’re a lifesaver," Rudolph said. "They've become family to me.”
"Everyone has a role. And everyone should be playing their part," Brown added. “I feels good to be a blessing."
Brown says she hopes to continue to grow For the Struggle.
She plans on opening another location in South Carolina, as well as in Durham County.
They also have a big Juneteenth celebration this summer and everyone is invited to come!
WCNC Charlotte's previous reporting on Charlotte's West End prompted Target to form a corporate partnership with For The Struggle. WCNC Charlotte helped raise money for For The Struggle, donating $2,000 to help neighbors there.
“For The Struggle is grateful for the donation we received from WCNC," Alesha S. Brown said. "Our programs are quickly expanding and we appreciate your support as we continue to grow.”
Contact Sarah French at Sarah@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.