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Why Trust Is Our Strongest Building Material
By Beth Morrison, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte As we celebrate 15 years of service to the Greater Charlotte region, one truth has become abundantly clear: trust is our strongest—and most essential—building material. At Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, we are known for our expertise in critical home repair and accessibility modifications. But even with the best construction team and the highest-quality materials, our work would not be possible without the trust of the homeowners and communities we serve. Trust is not built with a clipboard and a checklist. It’s earned through years of showing up, following through, and partnering with humility. It’s built one conversation at a time, by listening first and doing second. Without it, we wouldn’t be welcomed into people’s homes or their lives. This is especially true in our Building a Healthy Neighborhood program, which brings together neighbors, nonprofits, volunteers, and funders to address housing and health disparities at the community level. We rely heavily on trusted community leaders to help spread the word, break down walls of skepticism, and open doors, literally and figuratively. Without those relationships, it would take months, if not years, to gain the credibility needed to begin providing repairs. Trust is what allows us to move from conversation to construction. Our partnership with United Neighborhoods (United Way of Greater Charlotte) has been a game changer in this regard. Their place-based approach helps us identify neighborhoods with a high concentration of repair needs and connect directly with local organizations that residents already know and trust. These relationships allow us to work more effectively and respectfully in communities that have too often been overlooked or worse, exploited. The foundation of trust we’ve built over the past 15 years is not just a nice-to-have. It’s a strategic advantage, one we are intentionally carrying forward in our five-year strategic plan. We are centering trust-building in our theory of change and treating it as a core asset to be cultivated, maintained, and stewarded just like our tools, funding, and personnel. Our partners have described us as “the go-to” and praised us for “doing what we say we’re going to do.” In today’s world, that reliability is rare and incredibly valuable. As we continue to grow regionally and expand our impact, we’ll carry this trust-first mindset with us. Because at the end of the day, we can replace a roof or build a ramp but it’s the relationships we build that ensure lasting change. To every homeowner who opened their door, every community leader who vouched for us, and every partner who helped us lay this foundation, we thank you. We’ve come this far because of your trust, and we’ll go farther still by continuing to earn it.
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| | Rise to [Re]Build: New Event. Same Commitment. Marking 15 Years |
|  | More than 100 guests including corporate partners, community advocates, homeowners, and elected officials joined us on April 9th at The Ruth for the inaugural Rise to [Re]Build Breakfast, as we celebrated National Rebuilding Month and 15 years of service in the Greater Charlotte region.
The event opened with a moving video featuring homeowner Delores Miller, whose story set the tone for the morning. Emcee, Christian Brown, invited guests to reflect on what it means to be a neighbor and reminded us that a neighborhood is not defined by zip code, but by shared purpose.
Housing policy expert and co-author of Just Action, Leah Rothstein delivered a powerful keynote on the history of redlining and housing inequities. Her message urged us not only to understand our past but to take action in building a more just and inclusive future. Attendees had the opportunity to meet Leah and receive signed copies of her book.
Beth Morrison-North, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, took the stage to share her own story beginning as a volunteer 13 years ago and eventually stepping into the role of the organization’s first full-time executive director in 2018. She spoke to the growth of the organization from a grassroots effort to a regional leader now serving five counties and completing more than 60 home projects annually.
Beth also led a meaningful panel discussion featuring local leaders shaping their neighborhoods:
Melissa Gaston, North End Community Coalition (Druid Hills) Greg Jarrell, QC Family Tree (Enderly Park) Marjorie Parker, Hidden Valley Community Association (Hidden Valley) Rachel Zwipf, Pottstown Heritage Group (Pottstown)
Todd Bleckley, SVP, Merchandising, Building Products at Lowe’s and board member for Rebuilding Together national, offered remarks on the importance of corporate partnership and community investment. We are grateful to Lowe’s and our other event sponsors — McGuireWoods, Swinerton, First National Bank, and The Wonder Group for helping make this event possible.
Guests watched a moving video featuring homeowner Cheryl Kramer, whose story reminded us that what we do is not about dramatic renovations, but about restoring dignity, stability, and peace of mind.
Board Member Lonni Grattan closed the morning with a call to action. Guests were encouraged to “scan, swipe, and give” using QR codes on every table. It was tangible reminder that everyone can be part of the solution.
Thank you for joining us in honoring our past and investing in the future. Because of your support, we raised $71,000. This helps us continue to repair homes, revitalize communities, and rebuild lives.
Mark your calendar: Rise to [Re]Build returns April 2026. If you would like to sponsor next year’s event, please contact Shereese Floyd.
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| | New Mural, New Team Members and New Ways to Get Involved |
| |  | On April 24, join us and community members at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios to unveil "Whimsical Harmony," a stunning new mural created by Charlotte artist Jonathan Grauel, that celebrates the history and spirit of the neighborhood while anchoring our broader work in Cabarrus County.
Come see the mural up close.
Date: April 24
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Clearwater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell Dr NW, Concord. Parking: Free |
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| She Builds Returns in June |
|  | She Builds is back!
Our signature women-led event is headed to Heal Charlotte’s Community Campus June 11-13. She Builds provides critical repairs to women-led households or women-focused community spaces.
Over 60% of the household we serve are led by women.
She Builds is a hands-on volunteer experience that empowers women to preserve and maintain safe and healthy homes. Perfect for employee resource groups and corporate volunteer days.
Want to join us on-site as a sponsor? |
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| | Become a Monthly Giver - A Little Box. A Big Mission. |
|  | Every nail we hammer, every roof we repair, every life we touch, it all starts with someone like you choosing to give.
When you become a monthly donor, you’re not just giving money. You’re giving consistency. You’re showing up for neighbors who are often forgotten. You’re saying, “You deserve to feel safe at home.”
To honor your commitment, the first 9 monthly supporters will receive a handcrafted planter box made by our team. It’s small reminder that rebuilding, like plants, takes time and care.
Make a monthly commitment here.
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| Going Door to Door
in East Charlotte |
|  | Building a Healthy Neighborhood program expands into East Charlotte.
Our team and volunteers knocked on doors in the Eastwood Acres neighborhood to share the requirements and benefits of the program homeowners and invite them to apply for support.
This outreach marks a new chapter in expanding critical repairs and revitalization efforts across the east side into Eastwood Acres and Hampshire Hills. |
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| | Big Wins for Our Mission with Two Grants Secured |
|  | We’re thrilled to share some incredible news that strengthens our foundation for the future:
The Leon Levine Foundation has awarded Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte a three-year grant totaling $150,000 with $50,000 in funding each year from 2025 to 2027.
And there's more! We've also received a $75,000 general operating grant from The Merancas Foundation to help fuel our day-to-day mission work keeping us responsive, resilient, and ready to serve wherever we’re needed most.
We’re deeply grateful to both foundations for their continued partnership in provide safe and healthy housing.
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| |  | Marya Barriga joined our team as the new Construction Administrator and we are thrilled to have her.
Marya brings a strong background in case management, Salesforce, and bilingual support (English/Spanish) but what really sets her apart is her heart for people and her ability to keep things moving behind the scenes. She’s no stranger to fast-paced environments and has a talent for connecting homeowners to the right resources with care and precision.
She’s already making a huge impact on our projects particularly in the canvassing for East Charlotte where a percentage of the population are Spanish speakers. Mayra will help us reach more people who need us and we’re lucky to have her on board!
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| |  | Welcome Shereese Floyd to the team as RTGC’s new Director of Development & Communications.
With a background in both nonprofit leaders and strategic communications, Shereese brings a passion for equity, powerful storytelling, and creating lasting partnerships that move missions forward. She believes that everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported where they live and that real change starts with stories and relationships.
When she’s not connecting with community partners or crafting messaging that moves hearts, you can find her exploring the world of AI art or getting lost in a great audiobook.
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| |  | We’re excited to welcome Edward McLean to the RGTC team as Director of Construction.
Edward brings hands-on expertise in structural repairs and general home improvement to this role. A proud North Carolina native, Edward grew up in Wilmington and is a graduate of Appalachian State University.
His deep commitment to housing repair and his technical know-how make him the perfect leader for our growing construction team. When he’s not on-site, you’ll likely find Edward rock climbing, hiking, or visiting his coastal hometown.
We’re thrilled to have him guiding our efforts to create safer, healthier homes across the Greater Charlotte region.
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| | Building Community Beyond the Cubicle: Celebrating Corporate Volunteerism with RTGC |
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As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we're reminded of a powerful truth: it takes all of us individuals and corporations alike to build stronger, more connected communities. At Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte (RTGC), we've witnessed firsthand how corporate volunteerism goes beyond team-building, it sparks change, transforms lives, and strengthens the very foundation of our neighborhoods. This year, we’ve been fortunate to partner with incredible companies that traded boardrooms for baseboards and cubicles for community service. From swinging hammers to sharing expertise, these teams have rolled up their sleeves and made a real impact: Coca-Cola Consolidated, Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR, Republic Services, Huber, First National Bank, Lowe’s, and Red Ventures — thank you for showing what happens when purpose and partnership align. Recently, Issac, a volunteer from Lowe’s, shared: “Giving back is important to me because it helps me stay connected to the communities we serve. I’ve always loved volunteering with Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte—it’s a chance to support people in staying in their homes while also learning hands-on skills I can apply in my own life. What makes it especially meaningful is hearing directly from homeowners about the impact we’ve had. It means a lot to work for a company that encourages us to take the time to give back.” - Isaac Oyer, Analyst, Lowe’s Foundation Stories like Issac’s are a reminder that when employees serve, they don’t just give back—they gain perspective, purpose, and a sense of pride in what their company stands for.
Read more about, why corporate volunteerism matters, what to expect at an engagement and how to join us for your next team project. |
| | April Home Maintenance Tip - How to Clean Gutters |
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Digital Redlining: What it is and what it means for communities https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/digital-redlining-and-its-enduring-impact-on-communities/
Aging population raises concerns about affordable housing
https://njbiz.com/aging-population-raises-concerns-about-affordable-housing-workforce-shortages/
The benefits and challenges of aging in place
https://www.ispor.org/publications/journals/value-outcomes-spotlight/vos-archives/issue/view/the-benefits-and-challenges-of-aging-in-place/the-benefits-and-challenges-of-aging-in-place
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| | Thanks Again to the Rise to [Re]Build Sponsors
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