Every now and then, life gives us a little bonus – an extra 24 hours to do as we please. Whether it’s a leap day, a random day off or a well-deserved break.
So, what’s the game plan for this day off? Well, I’ve got nine ideas and don’t mind sharing them with you. Let’s go!
Continue ReadingOur advisory boards have a missing ingredient. It’s you! And you’re baking soda. This cake isn’t the same without you. This metaphor may have fallen apart a bit (like a cake without baking soda), but the idea remains the same: there’s a spot for you on one of the County’s 45(ish) advisory boards and commissions. Our County Clerk will show you the way.
Continue ReadingAs we step into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to think about what you want to achieve (if making a resolution is your thing). Whether it’s about feeling healthier, giving back to your community or finding a new job, here’s a little secret: we can help!
So, grab a pen and take some notes on how Mecklenburg County can be your secret weapon for nailing those goals. Let’s get into it!
Continue ReadingWritten with contributions from the Public Information Department
staycation
n. a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.
I know what you’re thinking. “I’ve avoided travel for a year and I’m ready to GO!” Me too, reader. Me too. BUT if we’re going to be here, let’s make the most of it. I’ll give you a money back guarantee right here, right now if you’ve done everything on this list.*
Continue ReadingWinter is a magical time of year. When I see snow flurries, I think of making a snowman, skiing in the mountains, or sitting near a warm, crackling fire at home. But not everyone has these same thoughts. Nearly 3,200 people in Mecklenburg County are homeless. Winter to them means cold conditions and the struggle to keep warm and fed.
What can we as a compassionate society do to help our homeless neighbors? Here are a few ideas:
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.
Spoken like a true veteran!
John Batts started his career as a Veteran Service Officer with Community Support Services three years ago. He came in to apply for his VA benefits and received such good customer service, he asked if there was an internship opportunity. The rest is history!
Continue ReadingIf you asked a government employee what industry they’re in, you might get an answer like “I work in the public sector.” But here in Mecklenburg County, we like to say something a little different. For us, we see ourselves as being in the “people business,” meaning that everything we do revolves around finding ways to improve the lives of the people who live and work here.
One group of people that our Community Support Services (CSS) staff works with on a daily basis is the homeless population. During our annual Point-in-Time Count in 2018, we found that 1,668 people were experiencing homelessness on the night of the count. And while the number of homeless persons has decreased by 16 percent from 2010 to 2018, there’s still a lot of work to do.
Take a look at some of the programs that our Homeless Services Division is involved in.
Continue ReadingAre you civic-minded and looking for a new volunteer opportunity? There is never a bad time to give back to your community — and you don’t have to work for your local government to do it. We often hear from residents on social media who want to lend a helping hand but don’t know where to start. Everyone is passionate about something! If you’re interested in supporting and supplementing the work that our staff is doing to make Mecklenburg County a great place to live, check out some of the opportunities we have for volunteers.
We’ve enjoyed giving back in many ways this holiday season, from working with our partners to make sure our clients have an extra special holiday, volunteering with local nonprofits, and even collecting items to donate. Here are a few final stories behind our gifts.
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