Bringing Empathy Home: A Family Resource Guide

Bringing Empathy Home: A Family Resource Guide

Explore. Learn. Care. Take Action Together.

Books to Read as a Family: Stories that spark empathy, celebrate resilience, and open gentle conversations.

Picture Books

• • A Shelter in Our Car – Monica Gunning
  • Still a Family – Brenda Reeves Sturgis
  • One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story – Ruth Spiro
  • Dear Librarian – Lydia Sigwarth
  • Toby Finds a Home – Marie Showers
  • Zion Learns to See – Terence Lester and Zion Lester
  • Home – Tonya Lippert
  • Kindness is my superpower – Alicia Ortega

Chapter Books / Early Readers

• • Shelter – Christie Matheson
  • Imagine If: A Homeless Experience – Stephanie Vulhop

For Grown-Ups Wanting to Learn More

• • Evicted – Matthew Desmond
  • Homelessness is a Housing Problem – Greg Colburn
  • Poverty in America – Matthew Desmond
  • Theres no place for us – Brian Goldstone

 Family Conversation Starters: Meaningful chats around the dinner table, car rides, or bedtime.

• What does “home” mean to you? How does it make you feel safe?
• Have you ever seen someone who needed help? What did you notice?
• What’s one small way we can show kindness this week?
• Why is it important to understand that families experience hard times for many different reasons?
• What does it look like to be a good neighbor in our city?
• If you could design a community where every family had what they needed, what would it include?

 Volunteer & Service Ideas: Simple, doable ways to make kindness a family habit.

At Home or With Friends

• Create “You’ve Got This!” cards for CFH families
• Assemble kid snack packs (granola bars, fruit cups, squeezers)
• Host a birthday give-back—ask for small items instead of gifts
• Run a Good Deed Challenge (10 acts of kindness → celebrate with a donation)
• Make Family Gratitude Chains and talk about what you’re thankful for

In the Community

• Volunteer for CFH’s special events throughout the year
• Connect with other nonprofits serving our city
• Visit a Little Free Library together and leave a favorite book

Learn About Our City Together: Understanding Charlotte helps kids see the wider world they’re part of.

• Explore a neighborhood you don’t usually visit—notice the shops, parks, and people
• Look up how many families in Mecklenburg County struggle with housing instability
• Watch local nonprofits’ videos together to learn how helpers step in
• Talk about the jobs that keep a city running—teachers, social workers, case managers, advocates, neighbors

Stay Connected to CFH

• Follow Charlotte Family Housing on social media
• Sign up for a tour of our shelters by emailing Alice Marleaux (Amarleaux@CharlotteFamilyHousing.org)
• Join the Family Engagement Crew to volunteer once a quarter as a family at shelter community events