Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Kiplin Auto transforms dealership into homeless living in their cars

It’s a start, a darn good start; Why not every business with a heart?
'It takes your headache away':
Car dealership provides safe place for homeless to park and sleep overnight.
Mar 10, 2020
By Alicia Lee, CNN
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Just like any other used-car dealership, during the day, Kiplin Automotive Group sells cars.
But as night falls and others return home, Kiplin Auto's manager James Charles turns on the lights and transforms the dealership
into a haven for those who are homeless and living in their cars.
With its well-lit lot, security cameras and welcome invitation, the car dealership in Charlotte, North Carolina,
offers homeless men, women and families a safe place to park and spend the night without worrying about whether they're breaking the law or trespassing.
That peace of mind means everything to those living in their car, according to Davina Stephens, who has lived in her car on and off for the past eight months.
Stephens, 46, currently works at a bank call center, but when she accepted the job, she was let go at her previous job three weeks too soon.
"Weeks of no income set me back," Stephens told CNN. "It's hard to dig yourself out of a hole when you don't have savings and things like that."
She was eventually evicted and although she tried to make some cash by giving people rides, she had no choice but to live in her 2012 Chevrolet Impala.
At night, Stephens would pull into the parking lots of fast-food restaurants, gas stations and apartment complexes that were under construction.
She would try to sleep but would often be awakened by the blinding flashlights of security guards who told her to move along.
But a few weeks ago, Stephens was scrolling through Facebook and saw a post by Charles that said he was offering his dealership
It’s not news that people are sleeping in their cars at night.
Searching for a safe place to park free from disturbance, trespassing, harassment or worse. Homelessness in the city is on the rise.
We have been praying and asking God what to do with some extra space we have had for years. Well the answer was clear 6 years ago but the means was not.
We know that some families are struggling and in a tough situation. Yea whole families sleeping in the car. You would say but the shelters??
They are full guys. We have experienced that first hand. We went to pick up a car from a client 6 years ago who had stopped paying. Only to find she was sleeping in the car.
We put her in a hotel until she could find a place but all and I mean all the shelters were full.
That’s when we asked God why are we here. 6 years later we have one piece of the puzzle.
We would like to designate a safe place for those going through this tough time.
We can’t put everyone in a hotel but we can get you a safe place for the night.
Please spread the word that they should check in with us. @ 3515 Brookshire Blvd. call James 704-201-7601
We will provide a safe place to park at night.
As this service to the community develops we will look to help these families in other ways but right now a safe place is what we can offer.
If you need this please call 704-201-7601 ask for james.
Love and blessings from
Creator to You All
Shechaim Ohjieshan
Whoopi
said,
“Don’t get scared,
It’s your country, take it back”!
Elijah
Cummings
said;
“This is our Watch”!


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