Liz Clasen-Kelly serves as the CEO of Roof Above, a comprehensive homeless services provider in Charlotte, NC that resulted from the merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte. In the last year, Roof Above expanded to meet community needs, adding significant emergency shelter capacity in light of the pandemic, and purchasing an existing apartment community and a hotel to convert to housing. Clasen-Kelly previously served as the Executive Director of the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, where she led the effort to renovate its shelter campuses with a focus on human dignity. Previously, as the Associate Director of Urban Ministry Center, she oversaw the community’s street outreach efforts and served as project manager for the community effort to end chronic homelessness. She is a graduate of Davidson College and received her Master of Public Policy from Duke University. She is a proud member of a blended family, with four kids ranging from 8 to 24.
On the Other Side of Judgment: Exploring the Housing First Approach
Liz Clasen-Kelly
CEO of Roof Above Liz Clasen-Kelley shares stories of her work to end homelessness and challenges us to think about this issue in a new, loving, and non-judgmental way.
In this talk, Cole explores how individuals can maintain their faith in a seemingly silent God, particularly in times of suffering and distress. Cole delves into the complex relationship between trauma and spirituality. Cole suggests that, rather than losing belief, individuals can engage in practices that foster a deeper presence to both themselves and the world around them, even in the absence of clear signs of God’s presence.
Dr. Szyf delves into the fascinating science of epigenetics and its profound implications for understanding intergenerational trauma. Epigenetics refers to how environmental factors—such as stress, trauma, and life experiences—can influence gene expression without changing the DNA sequence itself. This talk explains how trauma experienced by one generation can leave biological marks on the genes, which may then be passed down to subsequent generations.
Rev. Sharpe explores the challenge of overcoming the pressure to please others and the inner conflict that arises when the desire to gain approval occasionally wins. He acknowledges that the need for external validation is a natural part of the human experience, but it emphasizes the importance of not allowing that desire to dictate one’s life decisions or self-worth.
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