Thanks to all who attended our inaugural friendraising luncheon on February 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center.  Here’s comments from some of our guests:

“The luncheon event was truly an outstanding accomplishment.    I have heard nothing but sincere compliments on the quality of the event itself and, importantly, on the work being done at McCreesh Place.  The event was our best effort so far to make friends for McCreesh Place.  Congratulations.” – Tom Cox, Board Member

“Congratulations on a great event!  It was inspiring, informative and well executed.” – Bill R.

“I was so proud of McCreesh today.. Thank you for letting me share it.” – Kim Brattain

“I was so proud of McCreesh today.. Thank you for letting me share it.” –Ren’ee W.

“I would like to add my congratulations and praise to those who worked so hard to make this a wonderful event.  The feedback from those at my table was very positive--from the good turn out to the food to the program format (and sticking to one hour) to the message, SHC and McCreesh Place made a good impression on those who attended.” – Carter Arey, Board Member 

January, 2012 - As chairman of the board of directors of St. Peter’s Homes Inc., which provides affordable housing to the homeless and a member of the board of directors of the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross, George has seen "what a tremendous difference dedicated individuals can make in tackling societal problems."  Click here to read the full article.

Good Friends members said that Marcus’s story was the best part of their program.  As a thank you, Good Friends presented Marcus with a new Dell laptop.  Congratulations, Marcus!

   Marcus Arnold with Good Friends, Judy Allison and Sherrard Georgius

Good Friends has been a steady support of McCreesh Place residents, assisting often with needs that other financial assistance resources aren’t able to cover – a bus ticket to visit a family member, a rent balance that accrued during a period of job loss, laundry or Friendship Tray expenses while a resident is without income while waiting for disability benefits to start. Thank you to all of the Good Friends that make that support possible!

Good Friends: a non-denominational, diverse group of women representing different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds.  Good Friends website:  http://www.goodfriendscharlotte.us/

Anna received a round of applause from the residents for all her hard work!   Thank you, Anna and family, for sharing with the residents this Holiday Season. 

North Davidson Street apartments are an economic boost for Charlotte

by Lee McCracken, January 5, 2012

As a member of the Board of Directors for McCreesh Place, Henderson Hill carries his briefcase every month into the Community Room of Charlotte’s first single-room occupancy (SRO) apartment community for formerly homeless, disasbled men. Rather than gathering in an uptown board room, the members meet right where the residents are living and working to put their lives back together.

“We’re talking with the guys who are hanging around in the lobby — linking arms and listening to them. We hear their stories and their struggles, and we also hear their successes,” says Hill, a Charlotte attorney and the executive director of the Federal Defenders of Western North Carolina, Inc. Hill boasts about how many of McCreesh Place’s residents volunteer their time and productively partner with the Villa Heights neighborhood.

“I’m proud to serve on this Board, because this is an investment in Charlotte’s future,” adds Hill. “These men are turning their lives around, and they want to be contributing members of the community.”

Click here to read the entire article in Pride Magazine.

The Charlotte Observer, November 27, 2011

Jeff Barbagli, 48, has struggled with substance abuse since he was 15. Now sober and on a positive track, Barbagli says the McCreesh House has helped him feel confident about his future. He has been at the house since May of last year. “This place has been such a positive influence on life, I’m looking forward to getting my GED and finding me a Christian woman and settling down.” 

Click HERE to view the 2011 Charlotte Giving Guide for St. Peter's Homes, Inc./McCreesh Place.

The Charlotte Observer, November 24, 2011

The nonprofit McCreesh Place held its third annual Turkey Cook-off Wednesday, with residents breaking into teams to see which could cook the best turkey. Cooking began at 9 a.m. and continued through the day in all nine of the agency's kitchens.

In the end, there was a tie for first between Donald Kennington's convection-oven creation (stuffed with crushed red peppers and oranges) and Lee Watkins' more traditional turkey, which he wrapped in foil and seasoned with only pepper and salt.

McCreesh is a 91-unit housing community for formerly homeless men with disabilities operated by St. Peter's Homes.  Click HERE to read more about the Turkey Cook-off.  

The oven awaits as Anthony Cestare prepares his turkey Wednesday for the third annual Turkey Cook-off at McCreesh Place. Residents divided into teams to see which could prepare the best turkey.

Photo above:  Daryl Livingston pours melted butter over his turkey at the Turkey Cook-Off on Wednesday

Photos by Todd Sumlin - tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

Pam Jefsen, Executive Director of St. Peter's Homes, Inc. / McCreesh Place, a Charlotte apartment community for formerly homeless men with disabilities, presents to the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum on Oct. 4, 2011 on the McCreesh Place apartment community, the onsite support services and the expectations for residents.  Pam shares what she's seen among the residents as they support one another.

View this video clip on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tBB6IYRGJM&feature=related

Sherry Waters-Wilson, Development Officer at St. Peter's Homes, Inc., addressed the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum in Charlotte about the mission of McCreesh Place, the upcoming grand opening event of our new addition and ways to support the facility housing formerly homeless and disabled men from our community.

View this video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NaUGhUhpdQ&feature=related

Pam Jefsen, Executive Director of McCreesh Place, a Charlotte facility for formerly homeless men with disabilities.

In this YouTube video, from the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum on Oct. 4, 2011, Pam recounts how the single-room-occupancy (SRO) building was built.  View this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AuV1sPJuzQ&feature=related