CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The number of people experiencing homelessness in North Carolina has been growing.
According to the latest stats from the annual homelessness assessment report, the state has seen a 19% increase from 2023 to 2024.
For the past five years, Hearts For The Invisible Charlotte Coalition Founder and Executive Director Jessica Lefkowitz and her street outreach team have been trying to put a dent in those numbers by offering housing to people who need it most. Her passion to help also comes from a familiar place.
“My mom dealt with domestic violence, and I remember us having to leave our home in the middle of the night. We did a lot of couch surfing during my childhood. So, I do know what homelessness feels like for a child, and it is very, very traumatic,” Lefkowitz said.
Her nonprofit helps people who are unhoused by meeting people where they are, whether it be in the woods, near train tracks, in parking lots or on sidewalks.
The goal is to help people who are unhoused get into the shelter system, a transitional program or permanent housing.
In 2025, Hearts For The Invisible helped 550 people and secured permanent housing for 117 people.
They helped Della Marie Marshall, who slept on benches in Uptown Charlotte.
The traumatizing memories still bring on tears.
“I ended up being assaulted. My phone was stolen. So for four months, I had no communication, I had no phone. I was just trying to navigate. Every day, I just thanked the Lord for waking me up,” Marshall said.
The 69-year-old is also thankful for Lefkowitz and her team.
The transplant from Ohio and retired college administrator says she fell on tough times and appreciates the help from Hearts For The Invisible in getting her into an apartment for senior citizens.
“I could have been lost. I could have just been out there,” Marshall said.
Lefkowitz says if you see a person who’s unhoused, a simple hello can go a long way.
“It’s really about treating somebody like a human being, and understanding that housing is a human right and nobody should be outside. Nobody should be outside,” Lefkowitz said.
Charlotte newspaper “Queen City Nerve” recently named Lefkowitz “Best Local Hero 2025” for their Best In The Nest Awards.
She also co-leads the annual point in time count, which some know as “the homeless census,” with the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Team.
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Mike Dunston
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