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Tag: Britni McDonald

  • Caregivers receive night of relaxation through sound healing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Caregiving is a demanding job. In fact, according to an AARP report, more than 60% of caregivers say that responsibility increases their level of stress and worry.

    A North Carolina woman is volunteering her time and expertise to give a group of caregivers a night of peace and relaxation using sound.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 60% of caregivers say caregiving increases their level of stress and worry, according to an AARP report

    • Sound alchemist Racquel Washington uses sound bowls and instruments to help provide sound healing

    • One caregiver said she could “feel the colors” during the sound bath and meditation

    • The Gladys Love Project helps coordinate nights of relaxation and provides regular events for caregivers


    Sound alchemist Racquel Washington uses various instruments like wind chimes, an ocean drum and crystal sound bowls to provide what she calls sound healing.

    “All of the bowls are tuned to different frequencies, which actually work in harmony with different parts of the body,” Washington said.

    Those receiving this kind of healing sit in chairs or lay on the ground for what may be the only hour of peace they have all day. They’re all caregivers, and Washington says this sound bath and meditation allows them to focus on their own needs for a moment.

    “With so many people relying on them, it’s just really important that we offer some space focused on their wellness as they are focusing on making sure that other people are well and have what they need,” Washington said.

    Dayna Wade takes care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s disease and says the sessions have worked for her.

    “I actually felt the colors when she was playing the instruments,” she said. “And I felt peaceful. I felt present in my body, and it was just a beautiful experience.”

    Kym Motley of the nonprofit, the Gladys Love Project, helped coordinate this night of relaxation. She says the community you can gain from events like this is also key.

    “I would say that community is so important, and that will counter the effects of senior isolation, which does lead to early death and caregiver burden, the enormous amount of stress that caregivers are under,” Motley said.

    Washington does this for a living but offers it up to groups like this from time to time because she believes everyone should have access to the benefits.

    “This allows us to create an environment where hopefully those caregivers have an overflow that they can now pour from instead of pouring from an empty cup,” Washington said.

    The Gladys Love Project offers regular events like this for caregivers.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Britni McDonald

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  • ‘Dignity Drive‘ helps shelters across Mecklenburg County

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman is using her time and money to help tackle homelessness in her community.

    Tracy Grant bought and collected more than 200 pairs of underwear for the homeless women in Mecklenburg County. She laid them out at the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Charlotte as part of their “Dignity Drive” while explaining why she chose these items.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tracy Grant donates hundreds of pairs of underwear, socks and hygiene products to homeless shelters

    • The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte says these items are often forgotten and can provide a sense of dignity to those looking to get back on their feet

    • After seeing the need, Grant is making this a quarterly drive

    • You can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt Street in Charlotte


    “We don’t think about it, but underwear is essential to women for one thing. It’s part of good health, part of good hygiene,” Grant said.

    She said, it’s not something most people think to donate, but can make a big difference. “I think having clean underwear is just what helps boost their self-confidence, and no one should have to go without,” Grant said.

    Along with underwear, Tracy has dozens of individually packaged hygiene products, including sanitary napkins and body wipes.

    It’s not just the women’s shelter. Grant also dropped off over 250 dozen pairs of socks at the Roof Above Howard Levine Men’s Shelter just weeks prior. It’s another item that’s rarely donated, Grant said, but one that’s important.

    “Some people like to sleep in socks, and your feet are one of the most important things on your body. So we need to take care of our feet,” Grant said.

    She explained these things could help people feel dignified while they find housing and eventually a job and a home.

    “I’ve had a lot of people I know that have had success,” Grant said. “So I know it works. It just takes time. It just takes patience. It just takes giving. It just takes conversations, and it just takes grace.”

    The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte Area commander Major Andrew Wiley says he sees the change through these acts of kindness.

    “We’ve just in the last two weeks had two of our residents who have secured jobs,” he said. “Nobody’s thinking about the things that we’re seeing here today. And so this is incredibly exciting for me to see an individual who saw a need and was willing to step up and do something about it, and a need that many times is forgotten.”

    After realizing the great need in the community, Grant has decided to make her “Dignity Drive” a quarterly one to help shelters across Mecklenburg County.

    “We can all be a servant. We can all give back, whether it’s your time, whether it’s your resources. No matter what it is, I think that we all have something to give to someone else,” Grant said.

    Grant’s next donation collection will be in November. If you’d like to help, you can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt Street in Charlotte.

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    Britni McDonald

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