If you work for Mecklenburg County, it’s your job to give excellent customer service. And that’s what Park Ranger Doug Brown has been doing for the past 9 months. He was hired by Park and Recreation and says he loves his job.
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This blog was updated on March 7, 2023.
Let’s face it: You can be five or 95…at any age, playing is fun. But, for some people, it’s much more.
Did you know that Mecklenburg County’s Park & Recreation department has Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services? I didn’t – and I had to ask what it means. Here’s what I found out: recreational therapists use activities to help those with illnesses or disabling conditions participate fully and independently in chosen life pursuits and goals.
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After nearly 15 years as a human resources (HR) professional, Darcia Sanders had reached a plateau in her career. The opportunities for growth and development were unpromising. Her husband suggested they embrace the change of direction their life was taking, and explore opportunities in Charlotte. After some research, the “rich history, stability and endless possibilities” with the County made accepting an offer to work here an easy decision for her.
Continue ReadingWe’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” There’s a reason for that! Good nutrition is vital to good health and disease prevention. And it’s essential to “growing up big and strong” as my grandmother used to say. Eating nutritious foods (along with a little exercise, of course) can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Those are some of the leading causes of death in our County and the country.
Seems easy enough, right? If I eat healthy food, I will be healthier. But it’s not that simple. Not everyone has access to healthy food. I know! It’s hard to believe that in 2020, there are people in our community who don’t have access to a grocery store to get the foods they need to live healthy lives.
Reggie Singleton, one of Public Health’s policy coordinators, was inspired by the fruit tree orchards he grew up with in the Sea Islands of Charleston, SC. He suggested partnering with other community organizations to install orchards and a system for distributing the food to the communities with food insecurity. And the Edible Landscape Project was born!
With support and partnership from community organizations, Public Health and its partners have established multiple orchards across priority communities in Mecklenburg County. The orchards produce plums, figs, pears, peaches and persimmons. They have even expanded to plant seasonal herbs and vegetables like squash, string beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Neighbors harvest, process and distribute food to nearby community members directly or through the church food pantry. To date, their efforts have supplied fresh, nutritious food to over 25,000 people in the County. Here’s a look inside how the orchards work.
Earlier this year, the Edible Landscapes Project received a Best In Category award from the National Association of Counties. This project combined with farmers markets and healthy corner stores is helping communities get better access to healthy food.
A big thanks to our community partners for helping establish and nurture our Edible Landscapes: N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, TreesCharlotte, Village HeartBeat, Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener, and The Males Place Inc.
You’ve heard us say it before, but we’ll say it again – there are so many career paths and opportunities within the County, many of which you probably never thought would fall under the category of a “government job.” Take animation, for example. Did you ever think you could come to the County to create cartoons?
Of course, the answer is that you CAN!
Continue ReadingYou probably know that there are a few law enforcement agencies in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area – there’s the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, local town police departments, and of course, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (that’s our partner).
When you think of these agencies and those who work to keep our community safe, chances are you think of the people who respond to your calls for service and patrol your neighborhoods. But, it’s not just humans who wear a badge – dogs do too!
Continue Reading“You can tell from my job history, this is the work I’m meant to do. It’s not just a job, it’s a calling.”
That’s how Ana Souare feels about her job as a management analyst with the Department of Social Services (DSS), Youth and Family Services (YFS) Division. But finding her calling didn’t happen right away. In fact, it’s the fourth position she’s been in since coming to work for the County 11 years ago.
Continue Reading“Our greatest asset.”
That’s how County Manager Dena R. Diorio describes Mecklenburg County employees.
We know how hard our employees work to provide the best services possible to our residents, so each year we host an awards ceremony to recognize those who have gone above and beyond. And trust us, it’s not easy to choose! There are so many talented employees within our organization and each one of them truly helps us make an impact on the lives of those we serve.
Continue ReadingAccording to Jacob Allman, his family is what inspires him to come to work every day. In fact, he got his start in his career because of his dad’s influence as a brick mason. All of that exposure to the construction industry from hanging out with his dad on jobs led him to a degree in construction management. Fast forward a few years and a few jobs to his current role with the County as a Code Enforcement Official with the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) – he’s right where he belongs!
Continue ReadingThat’s how Jeanne Williams summed up her 12-year (and counting) career with the County’s Public Health Department. “It’s a commitment – to myself, my colleagues and my community – to improve people’s lives every day.”
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