Help Carolina

10/15/2026

In their own words: LaKesha Womack for Congress, U.S. House District 14

Eviction is one of the leading drivers of homelessness for the families we serve. We asked where she stands on renter protections. She said:

"An eviction should be a last resort, not the first response to financial hardship. Evictions often lead to job loss, disrupted education for children, poorer health outcomes, and increased homelessness, costing taxpayers far more than prevention."

She also wrote about expanding eviction diversion programs, funding legal aid for tenants, and a Housing First approach to homelessness.

Full, unedited answers are posted below. See the accompanying pictures.

Help Carolina is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.

Early Voting Begins TODAY!

10/14/2026

In their own words: Steve Rutherford for NC Senate

Many of the people we serve are working and still can't cover the basics. We asked what policies he would champion. He said:

"The minimum wage should be between $25-30 dollars an hour and somehow have wages tied to the economy and the cost of living metrics."

On keeping families housed:

"Government has to work with non-profits that are on the ground working to mitigate these issues."

Full, unedited answers are posted below. See the accompanying pictures.

Help Carolina is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.

10/13/2026

In their own words: Sydnie Hutchinson for NC House 108.

We asked how she would strengthen shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness in our counties. She said:

"I would advocate for a cooling and warming center to all in Gaston County. We are severely lacking one and people should receive humane care."

On transportation, one of the biggest barriers our clients face getting to work and appointments:

"I would like to suggest that Gaston expands GoGastonia outside of the main city limits to be more accessible to all."

Full, unedited answers are posted below. See the accompanying pictures.

Help Carolina is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.

10/12/2026

In their own words: Brenda Eskridge, Gaston County Board of Education (At Large)

When a family loses housing, school is often the one stable place a child has left. Federal law (the McKinney-Vento Act) protects that child's right to stay enrolled, but how well it's carried out varies.

We asked what she would do. She said:

"No child should lose instructional time because adults are debating paperwork, transportation, residency or records."

She called for full compliance with McKinney-Vento, trained staff in every school, and transportation so students can stay at their school of origin.

Ms. Eskridge answered the questions that fall within a school board's role. Read her full response below.

HELP Carolina is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.

10/09/2026

Housing.
Wages.
Schools.
Healthcare.
Transportation.
Reentry.

For the families Help Carolina serves, these aren't separate issues. They're one story.

HELP Carolina invited candidates running for office in Gaston County to answer a 12-question Candidate Questionnaire about the issues our clients face every day.

We want to be transparent about what has come back so far:

• 4 candidates responded.
• 3 of them answered all 12 questions.
• 1 answered the questions most connected to the office she is seeking.

We thank every candidate who took the time to respond. Our invitation remains open, and we are reaching out this week to candidates we had not yet reached. Responses received by October 14 will be shared the same way, in full and unedited.

Not registered TO VOTE yet?
The regular registration deadline is TODAY, Friday, October 9, at 5 p.m. REGISTER AT BOARD OF ELECTIONS or REGISTER ONLINE at VT.NCSBE.GOV

You can also register and vote at the SAME TIME during EARLY VOTING (Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 31. Saturday the 31st is the last day TO REGISTER & VOTE.)

Over the next few weeks, we'll share what the responding candidates told us, in their own words. Each candidate's answers will be posted right here as pictures of their full, unedited responses.

HELP Carolina is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. Our job is to make sure you hear directly from the people asking for your vote.

Want to see exactly what we asked? Read the full questionnaire here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tk0fD0M9ckCMenWaWkrMZjwwi63A4XJyjl9uk4IOWkw/view

10/07/2026

🚨 COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION 🚨

Our community partner The Wash Hut at Myers Memorial United Methodist Church needs our help.

Over the last 2 weeks, 4 tents/canopies were stolen from their site. Those canopies belonged to the church, and replacing them cost The Wash Hut two weeks of operating expenses.

Because of this loss, The Wash Hut will be closed for the next 2 weeks. 💔

That means neighbors who count on them for clean clothes and a place to be treated with dignity are going without.

Here's how you can help:
💙 Donate directly to The Wash Hut to help cover the replacement costs
💙 Share this post so it reaches people who can give
💙 Know a business or group with canopies to spare? Connect them with Myers Memorial

👉 Donate here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YNGM/campaign/C-163T9
(Tap "One time" for a single gift.)

When one of us is set back, we all show up. Let's get The Wash Hut back open and serving our community. 🙏🏾

So that no one walks this journey alone.
— HELP Carolina

09/28/2026

If you or someone you love is dealing with housing instability — here's the truth: it's not a 'you' problem. It's a math problem. Here's what we can offer right now: Street Outreach (always available, no paperwork needed to start), Coordinated Entry into the regional housing system, and Housing Navigation, Prevention, and Referrals as funding allows. Aftercare is available for households already housed through us.

Need help? Email [email protected]

Give: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/6c8c12bf-b4a9-49c8-9533-0e162429eabd

09/22/2026

Hurricane Helene hit Gaston County hard, and our community answered. Through the United Way Hurricane Helene Relief Fund, 18 households and 45 people got direct support. We covered 2 more households ourselves — 20 households, 51 people total. Recovery's not finished. Here's how you can still help.

Give: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/6c8c12bf-b4a9-49c8-9533-0e162429eabd

09/11/2026

Membership has its privileges, and I don't say that lightly. HELP Carolina members get all 12 episodes of Community Access, behind-the-scenes stories, and a closer look at the work happening right here in Gaston County. If you've been following along, this is your invitation to go deeper.

Become a Member: https://www.helpcarolina.org/blank-theme/

Give: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/6c8c12bf-b4a9-49c8-9533-0e162429eabd

09/10/2026