Be Able Friends,
Every once in a while, someone asks how things are going at Be Able. Usually, I have a positive, clear answer ready. But sometimes the work is exhausting. Sometimes the problems feel bigger than the solutions, and sometimes you simply aren’t sure you’re getting it right. Recently, after a particularly raw conversation, someone reminded me of Theodore Roosevelt’s famous words about “the man in the arena”—the person who steps in, struggles, gets knocked down, and keeps going.
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There is something powerful about that idea. There is a difference between watching something happen and being responsible for making something happen. The person in the arena carries the weight of failure, criticism, exhaustion, and disappointment. But they also have the opportunity to create change.
Still, being in the arena doesn’t make someone beyond criticism, and being outside it doesn’t make someone’s perspective irrelevant. Sometimes we see things from inside the work that others can’t. Sometimes those outside the work see something we’ve missed. We need both perspectives.
Our neighbors are in their own arenas, too. So are our volunteers, supporters, families, employers, churches, and community partners. We all see different parts of the picture because we all stand in different places.
Maybe community isn’t about deciding whose arena matters most. Some step into the arena. Some lend a hand from the sidelines. Some offer perspective, encouragement, resources, or simply remind us why the work matters. We need all of them.
– Scott
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Please join us on Thursday, September 24, from 6–8:15pm for one of our favorite Be Able evenings of the year, our Upside-Down Auction.
We call it “upside-down” because we’ve flipped the traditional auction model on its head.
We’re not trying to convince you to bid on something you don’t really need. There won’t be vacation packages, golf outings, or baskets of stuff to take home.
Instead, the things you’ll have the opportunity to “bid” on are things like second chances, recovery, employment, housing, and the opportunity for someone to start again.
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And there’s something else I love about this event: the evening itself is virtually free for Be Able to host. Our venue is donated. The food is donated. The drinks are donated.
So when people choose to give that night, those dollars aren’t paying for the party. They’re going where we want them to go, directly toward our neighbors and the work happening every day at Be Able.
More than anything, though, this is an evening to celebrate.
You’ll hear some incredible stories from people whose lives are changing, and you’ll get a glimpse of what your support makes possible.
Tickets are completely free, but seating is limited. I hope you’ll come spend the evening with us on Thursday, September 24, 6–8:15pm at the St. Thomas More Utopia Room.
We’d really love to see you there.
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50 Volunteers. One Big Impact.
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Earlier this month Rock Hills Church showed up strong for Serve Day at Be Able.
And when we say strong, we mean it!
Around 50 volunteers spent the morning staining, painting, cleaning, weeding, repairing, lifting, organizing, and loving our community well. There wasn’t much they couldn’t accomplish in a morning!
Because of their hard work, our community center and sober-living housing properties have never looked better.
Rock Hills shows up for Be Able year after year, and we are continually blown away by their generosity, energy, and heart for our neighbors.
A special thank you to Michael Maybee, who served as the point person for this project and put in a tremendous amount of effort in the days and weeks leading up to Serve Day.
Thank you, Rock Hills, for your ongoing support and for helping make Be Able a better place for everyone who walks through our doors.
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The Journey:
Small Steps, Big Changes
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Last November, we celebrated a small but meaningful milestone with Lakeisha: she received her temporary state ID.
At first glance, an ID might not seem like much. But for someone working to build stability, it can be an important first step. An ID can open doors to employment, housing, healthcare, banking, and other opportunities that help someone move forward.
Lakeisha took that step.
Then she took another.
And another.
Today, Lakeisha is steadily employed at Taco Bell, where her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her employer has repeatedly recognized her as one of their best employees.
That’s the part of these stories we love most. The ID was important, but it wasn’t the destination. It was one step in a much bigger journey.
Small steps can lead to meaningful changes. Sometimes, those changes happen so gradually that we don’t notice how far someone has come until we look back.
We’re proud of you, Lakeisha. And we’re excited to see where your next steps take you.
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Scott said, “Make me look tough.”
So naturally, we put him on an e-bike.
The good news? The bike looks great.
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Even better news? You can win two Aventon Pace 4 e-bikes through this year’s Be Able raffle… a total value of $3,400.
Raffle tickets: 1 for $100 | 5 for $400
Get yours here: beablecommunity.com/auction
Every raffle ticket helps support Be Able’s work with neighbors pursuing housing, recovery, health, employment, and a new beginning.
Scott’s tough-guy era may be questionable. But this raffle is legit.
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With much excitement, we have launched our Academy and the opportunity to invest in our neighbors through workforce readiness education, mentoring, and support.
Lasting progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we invest in people.
Want to join the Academy?
Great! We’d love to see you here!
You can join us Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 11am or from 2:30pm to 4pm.
Contact our Academy Director, Mia, for more information.
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Take a Peek Behind the Curtain
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Want to learn more about where Be Able is headed? We’d love to invite you to an informal 45-minute visit at Be Able. We’ll give you a brief tour, share new initiatives and future direction, and have a relaxed conversation about ways you could engage—through volunteering, financial support, or simply learning more.
Interested? Email Scott to set up a time.
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NA Meetings
Tuesdays at 6pm
Saturdays at 7:30pm
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Budgeting
Wednesdays at 11am
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Haircuts
Thursdays at 12:30pm
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Shop Talk
Fridays at 11:30am
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Level-Up
Saturdays at 10am
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IF YOU MISSED LAST MONTH’S NEWSLETTER…
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We’ve started archiving our email newsletters. You can find previous news with the button below.
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