Blessings, Interrupted

Social service agencies struggle to adapt to the disconnected world of COVID

- ALLISON FUTTERMAN

SHERRI MILLER is a social worker at Niner University Elementary at Amay James, a school program led by UNC Charlotte education experts to support students from high-need, low-performance schools. Since spring, Miller’s had to make the drive from her home in Mount Holly to Matthews to pick up more than 120 snack bags and hygiene kits at a time from Bright Blessings, a nonprofit best known for its birthday celebrations for Charlotte area students who are homeless or living in transient housing.

Miller delivers the bags and kits to the homes of about 20 students. She keeps a safe distance and wears her mask. “Hey, Ms. Miller!” kids yell when they see her at the door. They take their snacks and hygiene supplies and run off to compare, trade, and barter.

“They get excited about a new toothbrush of their own because they may not have one,” Miller says. “It gives them a sense of belonging. It’s as simple as that.”