Community Helpers

On Tap

Back row: Bill Gross and Gary Andaas Front row: Ann Gross and Becky Barger Not pictured: Meredith and David Romley, Chris Carroll, Trana Rashid, and Jeanne Andaas

With Open Arms

Cornelius residents work together to welcome refugee family from Afghanistan

by Allie Spencer photography by Jon Beyerle

In late summer, the Hashemi family, fearing for their lives, were evacuated from Afghanistan by the U.S. State Department. Salim Hashemi had served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army and was undergoing the lengthy process of applying for a special immigrant visa. He was trusted and he was at risk, as was his wife Najila and their four young children. As they left their home, their people, their culture, and nearly all of their possessions in pursuit of safety, there was a community of people in Lake Norman putting the wheels in motion to prepare for their arrival.

The local community effort was spearheaded by Cornelius residents Meredith and David Romley. The Romleys, who moved to Cornelius in 2018 after many years in Washington D.C., reached out to the State Department when the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was announced. David, who served two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan during his 20 years with the U.S. Marine Corps, and Meredith felt they should take care of the people that took care of American soldiers when they were in Afghanistan.

“We benefitted immensely from having interpreters alongside us, says David. “We could not have done what we tried to do without them. I credit them for saving lives, literally.”

Initially, the Romleys were told that the Charlotte area may not be accepting refugees due to the lack of affordable housing.

“We said to the resettlement agency, ‘You find us a family and we’ll figure it out,’” says Meredith Romley.

Signing up to help

In August, the Romleys got the call that there was a family of six arriving in 12 hours. That’s when the Romleys reached out to the Lake Norman community for help. Meredith created a SignUp Genius form where community members could sign up to provide essentials like furnishings, appliances, food, clothing or volunteer their time to help move the family into their new home. Word spread quickly as the SignUp Genius was posted to social media and shared in group chats between friends and neighbors.

“Within hours of me posting what we needed, it was filled,” says Meredith.

The Romleys experienced an outpouring of support from their own friends and neighbors, but also connected with people they had never met before, like Trana Rashid, a pharmacist and first generation Afghan American who lives in Cornelius. Rashid, who still has family in Afghanistan, had been watching the news 24/7 and was feeling helpless when she saw a post on the app Nextdoor with a link to the Signup Genius. She texted Meredith to let her know that she could speak Farsi and could help sourcing any cultural items. They got in touch and came up with a plan to have Rashid accompany them to the hotel where the Hashemis had been quarantining so they would be greeted by another Afghan.

“Najila [Hashemi] looked stunned, but then she reached in for a hug. She was really happy to see a familiar face, another Afghan,” says Rashid of their first meeting.

Rashid says when the family eventually arrived at their new house, they were happy and excited. She describes the house as fully furnished, the fridge and pantry fully stocked, and the kitchen completely outfitted with everything necessary.

The Hashemi children enjoyed celebrating Halloween with donated costumes.

“Everyone fully prepared this family for success,” says Rashid. Two people instrumental in making that happen were longtime Lake Norman residents Gary and Jeanne Andaas. Gary works in the consumer products business for housewares and Jeanne is a part time decorator and math tutor. They heard about the Hashemi family from a neighbor of the Romleys and wanted to show their gratitude for the help Salim Hashemi provided to the American efforts in Afghanistan.

They donated a new queen sized bed, sofa and brand new kitchen goods. “Pots, pans, cutlery, glasses—I mean everything,” says Meredith.

“We feel truly blessed to live in this great country and it’s a privilege to be able to give back to others who are starting a new life here,” says Gary Andaas.

From driving lessons to English tutoring

Another wave of support came from the Bailey’s Glen community. Bill and Anne Gross, residents of Bailey’s Glen, heard about the Hashemis from their daughter, Dr. Lori Hoe DVM, who is friends with the Romleys. Bill spread the word about the family to the Bailey’s Glen community via email, and the residents responded with clothing, food, a sizable monetary donation, volunteers to drive the family to appointments, and a language tutor, Becky Barger.

Barger, a retired teacher, volunteered to teach the family English and got started about a week after they arrived. She tutors Najila and the three eldest Hashemi children for 45 minutes a day, five days a week.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” she says. Barger has a lesson plan each day and says she frequently uses props, songs, toys and games to teach the family. She says she was surprised by how much fun they all have together. “It’s been a real bonding experience. They make me feel part of the family.”

Outside of English lessons, Barger has taken the family on shopping trips, helped source iPads, and introduced the Hashemis to life in general in Lake Norman.

“The older kids love to ride in my golf cart,” she says with a laugh.

Barger also provided some early driving lessons to Salim, until Meredith Romley reached out to Chris Carroll, who owns LKN Driving School along with his wife Lezlie Carroll. Chris volunteered his time to teach Salim the rules of the road and gain confidence behind the wheel.

“For everything they have been through, and how our community and the Romleys put this all together, it was no-brainer for LKN Driving School to get involved,” says Chris.

Salim recently passed his driver’s test and now has his driver’s license. English lessons with Barger each day. They were recently introduced to the American tradition of Halloween—carving pumpkins with the Romleys and sporting Halloween costumes Barger’s daughter had collected from Halloweens past.

Looking ahead for future refugees

As the Hashemis settle into Cornelius, the Romleys are focusing on efforts to help scale the refugee resettlement process, specifically when it comes to finding affordable housing in the area.

“It is so difficult to find housing accommodations for these folks. Particularly when you are trying to balance a rent cost they can afford after they get settled themselves and in locations that are somewhat central to schools and doctor’s offices, and a place that is livable and safe,” says David.

There is also a need for other host families who are able to take on all aspects of sponsoring a family like the Romleys have done, which is no easy feat. Yet the Romleys continue to credit their community, neighbors and friends for making the Hashemis story possible.

“We just happen to be the people that tried to rally the troops to make it possible. There are a lot of terrific people in this community,” says David.

If you have resources or a business that may help scale the effort to accommodate refugee families, please contact David Romley at 703.994.5987.

Helping Facilitate Better Health

April Cook’s commitment to serving others

by Allison Futterman photography by Jamie Cowles

The Lake Norman Community Health Clinic (LNCHC) serves 1,500 patients annually, accounting for more than 7,500 appointments—and is an invaluable resource for people in the federal poverty level. As LNCHC’s Executive Director, April Cook explains, “They’re not choosing not to have insurance, they can’t afford it.” April is the former Chairperson of the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and has served on board for eight years. She plays an integral role in the vital lifeline LNCHC brings to the community, which includes primary care, women’s health services, behavioral health counseling, orthopedics, physical therapy, and more.

The beginning

In 1998, a minister approached Dr. David Cook, co-founder and current co-medical director of LNCHC, and asked him to see members of his congregation who didn’t have access to care. He wanted to help, so Dr. Cook started seeing patients in the back of a Huntersville grocery store owned by one of the church members. Eventually, other churches became involved and a free clinic was set up at First Baptist Church. This was something Dr. Cook did at night, after working at his regular practice—in order to give back. April also shared a deep calling to “give back to the community that was so good to us.” Eventually, she spearheaded the effort to pull together multiple churches in order to serve more patients.

April Cook’s role

“David’s job was to see patients,” says April. He was caring and compassionate, but didn’t have time for the policies and procedures.” She was excited and enthusiastic about taking on this mission, and it also gave her an opportunity to use her valuable skills. “I have an MBA, but I left the workforce when I had my third child. This gave me a purpose and something to sink my teeth into. It was also something I could take the lead in.” She was committed to “taking the mission to a different level.” And she has. She’s grown the clinic—increasing funding dollars, volunteers, and services.

The evolution

As a grassroots clinic they originally saw people with conditions such as sinusitis, colds, and broken limbs. And while it was rewarding to help them, “We saw the need for continuity of care for those people with chronic diseases—such hypertension, diabetes, and asthma,” says April. They operate with a comprehensive variety of clinical volunteers, including residents, private practice physicians, a physical therapist, an orthopedist, and more—enabling them to provide a range of quality care to their patients.

In 2007, the clinic moved into their current 4,000-square-foot location on Hunters Road. “We love it here,” says April. “And it’s on the bus line, which is very important to the population we serve.” Even though she’s always been there full time, she was unpaid volunteer until 2013. As executive director, one of her many responsibilities is to manage volunteers and staff, which include an office manager, development director, a community health care worker, a physician assistant, an RN, a CNA and an RNA. It’s worth noting that all of their MDs are volunteer physicians.

April Cook, Executive Director of Lake Norman Community Health Clinic.

The pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, they set up a weekly vaccine clinic, where they administered more than 200 vaccines a week, February through June. “Our staff got vaccinated before we gave the vaccine to others. We talk the talk and walk the walk,” she says. “We’re part of this community and we’ve got to be part of the solution.”

Improving lives

Under April’s leadership, the clinic has evolved to help people in other ways that may be affecting their quality of life. Whether it’s addressing food insecurity or dealing with a moldy home that’s making someone sick—they find someone to help. “We don’t leave people hanging,” she says. “We will find that resource.”