CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte mom is helping her family get ahead thanks to a special relationship with another family in the area, and they were all brought together by a unique nonprofit.
Families Forward Charlotte pairs families together and offers resources, mentorship and more, transforming lives in the process. The goal is to break the cycle of generational poverty by connecting families.
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Those involved say everyone benefits in the process.
Erica Walker recalls when she hit a low point, one so many moms can relate to.
"I was in the carpool line at my youngest son's school and having a mini meltdown," she said. "I kind of just broke down, realizing, no I’m not OK."
She was in college finishing her degree and supporting her two kids, and her landlord had just told her he was raising her rent $500 a month.
"I was working and barely making ends meet," Walker said.
A teacher at her son's school offered to help, connecting her to the nonprofit Families Forward Charlotte, which pairs families who are in crisis or battling poverty with other families in a mentorship-like capacity.
"It was just like immediately we met and she was just so chipper, and not what I was expecting," Walker said.
The nonprofit paired Martha Kinney and her family with Walker and her family.
"You use your social network to help these families, you meet them where they are and help them move along to the next step of their financial goals," Kinney said.
Through the help of Families Forward Charlotte, Kinney does everything from watch Walker's kids when she needs help to connecting her to resources in the area, even paying for an important car repair.
"If I had a crisis, my friends would be like, 'I've got your kids, there's a meal on your doorstep,'" Kinney said. "This isn’t the norm when everyone around you is just trying to make it to the next day."
In their time together, Walker said she left an abusive marriage, went back and finished her college degree and got a better job. She said so much of her success is thanks to this new relationship.
"I literally just gained a whole 'nother family," Walker said. "She opened her home to me. I never expected that with us coming from different worlds, I was like, 'You're inviting me over, what?' That spoke volumes to know that they were that trusting and it changed my perspective on life that there are still good people."
Families Forward also offers workshops on things like healthy eating for kids, financial literacy and self-care.
Kinney said the experience has been just as important for her and her family.
"It's been incredibly rewarding, it's been eye-opening, it's been rewarding," Kinney said. "More of this needs to happen in our city."
Walker is beyond grateful for her fresh start.
"I'm doing amazing," she said. "I have a different perspective on life, now I know it's not just me."
Walker even worked with Families Forward to find scholarships for her son and he’s heading to college next year. More information on how to get involved with Families Forward can be found on the nonprofit's website.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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