Charlottia

Sixty-five-year-old Charlottia has lived a full life. Born in Philadelphia, she was raised in Atlantic City by her great aunt while her mother forged a career in New York as a deejay. She fondly remembers those times when"everybody knew everybody — and looked out for everybody."

She inherited her mother’s love of music, and while in high school joined a girls’ singing group which came to New York to make a record. While at the recording studio, she met Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. When a starstruck Charlottia couldn’t find a pen, Franklin hunted one down so she could give the aspiring singer her autograph. She has kept it all these years. Charlottia continued to pursue her love of music, eventually joining her mother in New York and performing at weddings at catering halls. Through her music and her work as a singer, Charlottia found her next career. When she was performing with a 10-piece orchestra, young children would approach the group curiously. "They’d come find me during breaks and ask me all sorts of questions. So I’d ask them to join me in the act. It was so much fun!" she says.

Charlottia enrolled in college and trained to become a teacher. For 25 years, she taught special education at elementary schools throughout Harlem. She recalls being"petrified" as a new teacher, but quickly came to love it because the "kids gave me such a tickle."

Unfortunately, her eyesight began to fail, and Charlottia reluctantly was forced to retire. Retirement has not been easy on her. She has suffered two heart attacks and severe arthritis that forces her to use a cane."Even walking two blocks exhausts me now," she says.

Charlottia lost the last of her family in New York City when her sister died from cancer. But she believes firmly,"God is good. He’ll provide." Charlottia now relies on Citymeals, knowing that someone will be there for her with not only a warm meal but also a friendly smile.

New York’s homebound elderly like Charlottia need your continued support. Please donate to Citymeals today to ensure they always have nutritious meals and companionship.