CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A nonprofit organization is helping homeless students and children from low-income households by offering an afterschool program.

What You Need To Know

  • A nonprofit organization offers free afterschool program for children living in hotels
  • Champion House of Care aims to help children improve their learning
  • The number of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools homeless students has increased in the past two years

Champion House of Care, which usually provides a day support program for individuals 13 and older with disabilities, added an afterschool program for students living in the Sugar Creek Road and I-85 corridor this fall. 

The program, which serves children from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Derita Presbyterian Church weekdays, is called Champion Village. 

Champion House of Care President Janette Kinard started the program after noticing a need during a summer camp

Kinard and volunteers help children attending Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with homework. 

“Some of them are below their grade level. Some can’t read or can’t write so we want to give them that fighting chance of getting that education,” Kinard said. 

On the afternoon Spectrum News 1 attended the program, Kinard said all the children participating lived in hotels. They attend the program at no cost. 

“When their parents get home from working in the hotels, they are tired, they can’t get their work done or they don’t have the tools to get it,” Kinard said. 

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, last school year there were 4,812 homeless students, which is a 59% increase compared to school year 2020-21. 

Kinard said she’s noticed the change. 

“There have been an increase in need, because there are more families moving into the hotels and their cars,” Kinard said. 

When the students attend the program, they receive school support and dinner. 

“Not only are we helping them academically, but we are fighting hunger at the same time,” Kinard said.

In addition, they take food home. 

“Today, we’ll be sending meals home with them so every child leaves with at least four to five bags,” Kinard said. 

The goal is to help children succeed.

“They can break that cycle of that homelessness, because they have something to push toward instead of being homeless and think ‘I can do anything,'” Kinard said. 

The program is looking for volunteers and sponsors for meals two days a week.