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On any given night, over 3,000 people are experiencing homelessness within Charlotte-Mecklenburg. In an informative Lunch & Learn on November 9, two community leaders – one from the public sector and one a grassroots organizer – shed light on the homelessness landscape of our city and brought to life some individual stories of our neighbors navigating homelessness.

Karen Pelletier, Director of Housing Innovation and Stabilization Services for Mecklenburg County, and Jessica Lefkowitz, founder and executive director of Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, began the discussion by illustrating the impact of the pandemic on homelessness in Charlotte, and how “Tent City” (also known as the North End Encampment) came to exist in 2020. Within a relatively short time, grassroots organizers and the Mecklenburg County government pulled together wrap-around services for those living in the encampment, from the provision of basic needs to domestic violence and substance abuse services, and even job training and Social Security assistance.

As the abatement order of the North End Encampment was issued in February 2021, grassroots organizations were essential to what became a 48-hour transition out of the encampment and into temporary housing. Due to the trust built between organizations like Jessica’s and the neighbors living at the encampment, the transition of over 200 people was carried out peacefully and effectively. Assistance in many forms continued from that point and persists today, with a coalition of the public sector, private sector, and non-profit organizations striving to meet the evolving needs of the former encampment residents as well as the larger local population experiencing housing challenges.

Karen and Jessica shared several resources with the group, as well as ways to take action. Consider getting involved in one of the following ways.

Employ

  • Roof Above
  • Salvation Army: 704-348-2560 ext. 207

Rent

Volunteer

Advocate

Donate

  • Sleeping bags
  • Hats and gloves
  • Sweatshirts
  • Underwear
  • Hand warmers
  • Bus passes
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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.