June 2026 Newsletter

When InterAct became a Lotus Campaign partner in March 2026, the housing staff went straight to work. They have already been able to place two families with the Lotus Campaign Landlord Participation Program, with more four more leases to be signed very soon. One of InterAct's clients became the 200th sponsored resident for Lotus Campaign in Raleigh.

Lotus Campaign creates pathways to safe, stable housing by working alongside community organizations and landlords that are dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable among us.

InterAct’s Director of Housing Sheryl Cromedy, MFT, MBA, praised the client (who became the 200th Raleigh resident housed through Lotus Campaign) for her hard work in becoming "lease ready." AJ (not her real name) and her children had received services from InterAct periodically over several years while experiencing physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. Earlier this year, after fleeing her abuser and living in a hotel, AJ contacted InterAct’s crisis line seeking housing assistance.

She was referred to InterAct's housing case management program, where case manager Beau Spillane helped her navigate the process of locating and securing permanent housing through Lotus Campaign and one of Lotus’ real estate partners in Raleigh.

"The client, her two girls, and the client's mother had been living in a hotel for a number of months," said Cromedy. "She worked diligently with her case manager to secure housing. The Lotus Campaign requires the case manager to complete a Lease Readiness Indicators Form, which is instrumental in helping determine if the client is ready to rent."

In vetting possible clients to sponsor for housing, Lotus looks for those who are ready to take the next step into housing, with a network of support from Lotus and its partners like InterAct to sign a lease and pay rent. InterAct and Lotus deemed AJ lease ready because she consistently demonstrated financial responsibility and housing stability.

Since December 2025, she had been making regular payments to maintain temporary housing at an extended stay hotel. She also had prior rental experience, understood tenant rights and lease compliance requirements, and remained actively engaged in case management by meeting regularly with her case manager throughout the process.

Julie Paul, Senior Program Director at Lotus Campaign, noted the quick placements InterAct has been able to make in a relatively short time. "InterAct is really leaning into this," she said. "Building relationships, supporting families, connecting with landlords."

“Working with Lotus Campaign has been a wonderful experience," said Cromedy. "The process is straightforward and the landlords that we have worked with so far have been great. Julie Paul has been readily available to meet with us to answer our questions, and she quickly responds to our emails. We are looking forward to placing more of our clients in housing through Lotus!”

On a recent home visit, Cromedy said the client expressed how happy she and her family are in their new housing. "She stated that things are going well and the children are adjusting nicely," said Cromedy. "She is able to focus on her children, her health and assisting her mother with her health. She said she is focusing on the positive things happening in her life as well as staying grounded in her faith."

Companies whose employees have donated to InterAct this year through workplace giving include:

Accenture

Allstate

Ameriprise

Aon

Apple

AT&T

AstraZeneca

Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina

Caterpillar

Charles Schwab

Cisco

Duke Energy

Fluor

Gigamon

Google

GSK

Home Depot

IBM

John Deere

LabCorp

Liberty Mutual

Micron Technology Foundation, Inc

M&T Bank

Nationwide

PayPal

PlayStation Cares (Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Principal Financial Group Foundation

PwC

Red Hat

Salesforce

Schneider Electric

Target

The CLOROX Company

Veeva

Xylem Inc.

Thanks to these corprorate entities that provide the ways and means for their employees to support nonprofits.

This summer, we encourage you to think about the different ways you can help save lives, rebuild lives, and secure safer futures for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Consider donating stock, giving from your IRA (if you're 70.5 or older), or recommending a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF). You can support InterAct as well as your finances.

Getting ahead of the year-end rush means your support for InterAct is as impactful and tax-efficient as possible.

The Courtyards at O'Kelly Chapel, a 55+ community in Cary, hosted a donation drive for InterAct in the month of May. Donations included urgently needed pantry items and funds to support InterAct services. Donation organizers pictured left to right Overta Smith, Betty Rinehart, and Joanne Shekmer.

The Fuquay-Varina Police Department held a Mental Health Resource event at the new Gold Leaf Shopping Center. InterAct representative Eleanore McKendree attended and shared resources with community members regarding intimate partner violence. Food trucks were on site, allowing participants to enjoy a meal while learning more about mental health resources in the community.

InterAct's Director of People Operations Lisa Manning, attended the AmeriHealth Caritas Community Baby Shower on May 26th. The event provided community resources and gifts catered to expecting families. The festivities included fun games, raffles, and giveaways, including prizes like car seats, Pack n' Plays, and nursing pillows.

"As a vendor, I had the opportunity to share information about our services with attendees, answer questions, and connect with both familiar faces and new community members.," said Manning. "It was especially rewarding to meet individuals who had previously utilized InterAct's services and were eager to share positive feedback about their experiences. Hearing their praise reinforced the impact of our work and the importance of continuing to serve our community."

Shimmy Mob is a global campaign to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence through the art of belly dance. The Raleigh Shimmy Mob team in Raleigh performs regularly in support of InterAct.

The Shimmy Mob has its own special donation page set up specifically for the Shimmy Mob Campaign.

Looking to attend a shimmy mob performance? Visit the Shimmy Mob website to see where they will be next!

So glad you are here.

InterAct is serving more clients than ever. Domestic violence and sexual assault are with us year-round. Your steady support is more important than ever.

Help us sustain our momentum and make an impact every day.

Click here to make a one-time donation, set up a recurring donation, or make a non-cash gift via your DAF, a stock transfer, or an IRA gift.

• Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi
• Enact Foundation
• Apex Newcomers and Friends

• Town of Apex
• Town of Holly Springs
• Catholic Daughters of the Americas

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