Charlotte Rescue Mission

This is Ben. Ben was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to parents who both served in the army. His childhood was marked by frequent relocations, from Alaska to northern Indiana, which fostered a close bond with his three siblings. Despite the constant moves, Ben excelled in extracurricular activities, participating in wrestling, musical theater, marching band, and anti-drug initiatives. By all appearances, he led a normal, fulfilling life. However, beneath this facade, Ben struggled with depression and unresolved traumas from his childhood. In high school, he began taking caffeine pills to manage his busy schedule, which eventually led to experimenting with other substances. Despite outward success, his internal battles intensified.  Ben went on to college, but his depression led to academic struggles, and he eventually dropped out. It wasn't until his late twenties that his substance use escalated. After the end of his marriage, Ben turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. The trauma he had buried for years resurfaced, exacerbating his addiction. For a while, he managed to maintain a job and relationships, but they eventually unraveled as his addiction took its toll. For nearly a decade, Ben was caught in a vicious cycle of addiction. Ben was blacking out drunk for months, "drinking himself to death," as he explained. It wasn't until his girlfriend organized an intervention, bringing letters from his children, that he began to see his situation differently. Feeling isolated and desperate, Ben realized he needed to change to save his life. At a detox facility, Ben was recommended to the Charlotte Rescue Mission, a turning point in his journey. The mission's resources, especially the trauma classes, helped him confront and heal from his past traumas. He learned to forgive, handle triggers healthily, and develop indispensable coping skills that were crucial to his growth. Most importantly, Ben found a sense of brotherhood at the Charlotte Rescue Mission. The connections he made here were instrumental in his recovery. Today, Ben's life looks significantly different. He has rebuilt his relationship with his children and is gradually restoring his bond with his family. He remains in the recovery living program and works for a manufacturing company.  When asked about his goals, Ben simply says “I look forward to getting better every single day.” His story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of support and community.

Who's ready for a fun challenge? Join us for a game of Bingo designed to boost your mental health, wellness, and sobriety this summer. Let's embrace healthy habits and enjoy the season to the fullest!

We made history last week! Nearly 3,500 associates registered for our Compass Group USA Be the Difference conference, our largest gathering yet. They joined us virtually and in-person for this 4th annual event reaffirming our commitment to and celebrating the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization.    We kicked-off the event partnering with Navigate Foundation on a volunteer activity benefitting the Charlotte Rescue Mission, which provides cost-free residential recovery programs for people struggling with the disease of addiction to achieve long-term sobriety, find financial stability, stable housing, and build healthy relationships. More than 30 of our associates assembled 800 welcome kits for residents on their journey to a brighter future.   Next up were four inspiring panel discussions with our executive leaders and some amazing associates:   ·      In “Belonging at the Core” (photo, left to right), I joined in a conversation with our CPO Cindy Noble, our CEO Palmer Brown, and our VP of Corporate Communications Ann Sheridan in which we shared how our experiences and values have shaped our beliefs in respecting and caring for all. A belief that Compass has fostered and remains committed to in providing a culture of inclusion and belonging.  ·      In “Cultivating a Culture of Care,” Natacha Agnant-Jacque, Alexander Cramm, Saiph DiRosa, Meredith Rosenberg, and Ashton Sequeira shared the ways in which we are prioritizing our well-being, creating safe spaces for bringing our authentic selves to work, and embracing our differences to strengthen our culture of care and belonging across our family of businesses. ·      In “A.I. & DEI,” our Chief Technology Officer Jugveer Randhawa explored the potential of artificial intelligence to assist with bias detection, inclusive hiring, training, and data analysis; and the critical need to ensure that A.I. models are trained on diverse and representative data sets. ·      In “Focus on Culinary,” our Chief Culinary Officer Chris Ivens-Brown and our incredible chef innovators Einav Gefen 🎗️, Peter Gilhooly, Jennifer Cox, and Jeffrey Quasha, CEC, CCA, AAC reminded us what lies at the heart of our business: culinary hospitality. They had a lively conversation about upscaling talent for the future, increasing diverse representation throughout the industry, and showcasing global cuisine. In addition, a virtual exhibit hall featured our many sectors, Diversity & Inclusion Action Councils, and Empowerment Resource Groups sharing all they’re doing in the DEI space.   I’m so very grateful to my indefatigable DEI team – Nikita Sanders, MBA, Shareen Nicholson, Teresa Brinati – for helping to make this conference happen; and to Compass executive leaders and associates for embracing Be the Difference as not just a conference, but as a call to collectively uplift our organization. Together we are the difference!   #bethedifference #dei #compassgroup

A huge thank you to Accenture for helping sort inventory at our Dove’s Nest campus. Your compassion and generosity is helping to transform lives!

Welcome to the first installment of our Summer of Strength series! Today, we’re sharing relaxation techniques from our licensed counselors at Charlotte Rescue Mission. They’ve provided 6 techniques to help you reduce stress and find calm and balance. Read more below!

"You could be forgiven if you walked into Community Matters Cafe and never picked up on the fact that something bigger is going on here. In fact, chef Chayil Johnson would take that as a high compliment." We are so grateful to Jim Webster and everyone at The Washington Post who took the time to take a closer look at our mission here at Community Matters Cafe and Charlotte Rescue Mission! All the glory to God 🙌 #WeDoRecover #CharlotteNonprofits #RecoveryFirst

We're excited to introduce Summer of Strength, designed to inspire and support individuals in recovery during the summer. Engage in weekly challenges like mindfulness exercises and outdoor activities. Celebrate recovery with success stories and connect with others using our hashtag- #SOSxCRM. Access wellness guides and stress tips. Support our mission through donations, volunteerism, and fundraising. Join us this summer for strength, wellness, and community!

Heartfelt thank you to Foundation For The Carolinas for serving a delicious lunch at our Dove's Nest women's facility. Your kindness and support make a big difference!

🏗️🌟 We’re proud to celebrate the opening of the Charlotte Rescue Mission’s (CRM) new Beaty Center for Transformation! This 73,221-square-foot facility, a joint venture between Rodgers and R.J. Leeper Construction, is now providing a safe space for men in our community to transform their lives. A key highlight of this project is the success of the workforce development program piloted during its construction. Launched in December 2022, this program, led by Rodgers, RJ Leeper, and CRM, has provided comprehensive skills training and direct-hire opportunities in the construction industry for CRM graduates. The program offers extensive instruction in essential trades such as HVAC, electrical work, drywall installation, and painting, ensuring participants receive top-notch training aligned with industry standards, effectively preparing them for the job market. We're proud to have placed 13 CRM graduates into careers in the construction industry, surpassing our goal of 10 placements. One of the most rewarding aspects of this initiative was the opportunity to work alongside a client who shares our mission—to build communities with care. Collaborating with CRM allowed us to align our goals and amplify our impact, creating a stronger, more cohesive effort to uplift and transform lives within our community. Read more about the program and its success here: https://lnkd.in/eN6cj87M #CommunitiesWithCare #BuildingsWithPurpose #OurPassionIsBuilding R.J. Leeper Construction Charlotte Rescue Mission Charlotte Labor Source Charlotte Area Fund Staff Zone 

Who is your Chad.....? 12 years ago I was involved in a tragic car accident that took a man's life. God showed up by bringing Land Hite into my life as a mentor/friend. Land poured into me when I needed it most. He has done so for over a decade now. Land asked me to be a mentor/friend to his son Charles Hite "Chad". Chad became more than a mentee, he became a friend. Chad started pouring into me the past 3 years. Mentee pouring back into Mentor. In the same way I was pouring back into my mentor, his dad Land. Chad spent the past 3 years taking his past pain and adversity and using it to be the fuel and place he found his Purpose and Impact in life. - He worked to help other men struggling with addiction at Charlotte Rescue Mission. - Was going to Central Piedmont Community College to obtain education in addiction recovery and mental health. - Ran a podcast, The Rabbit Hole, sharing stories of adversity to triumph. He gave us the perfect example of Adversity fueling Purpose and Impact. Chad passed away 6/10/2024 at 33 years old. Check out his LinkedIn page which highlights the legacy that he was seeking to leave us all. "Live a life of significance, make a difference in the world." Who is your Chad in your life? Who is the Land in your life? Find yourself in the story OR go be the Chad or Land to others. RIP Chad. Always remembered. Thankful for your friendship. #motivationalspeaker #personaldevelopment #men #mindset #purpose