Mecklenburg County wants you to make your voice heard as we’re making the budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). If you are following the steps we take to make the budget every year, you might know we are entering step two. This is where the County listens to you in new ways. In December 2019, we launched the Resident Budget Priority Survey. It helps people understand how we are using County dollars and how we fund departments and agencies. Then it asks them to rank their top priorities based on their community needs. This survey goes to the Manager’s office when they’re making budgetary decisions. Residents can also come share their feedback at budget meetings on January 7 and May 7.
Winter 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:
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Looking to get fit in Mecklenburg County? We have you covered! With more than 50 miles of greenways, 20+ nature preserves with countless hiking trails and even an outdoor fitness area at First Ward Park, there are plenty of opportunities to get moving.
But what do you do when it’s cold, like today? Let’s face it, no one wants to go running, hiking or biking when it’s freezing outside. Luckily Park and Recreation offers plenty of indoor opportunities.
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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.
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Updated September 2, 2022
Homeschool doesn’t just mean learning at home. One of the major benefits is flexibility about where and how your family can expand their minds! Mecklenburg County has a lot of resources for supplementing your child’s education. With 21 departments, there are endless ways to make Mecklenburg County a homeschool helper. Maybe you’ve seen our best kept secrets and that got your brain going. Well here are seven more options to get you started:
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It’s almost Thanksgiving – the biggest meal I cook all year. I always get a little anxious when I think about feeding so many people – What kind of turkey should I buy? Fresh or frozen? Stuffed or unstuffed? How do I store my turkey? And how long should I cook it to make sure it’s safe to eat? The last thing I want is for someone to get sick!
Here are four tips (courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control) to help you safely prepare your Thanksgiving turkey meal.
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We’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.
An Idea is Planted
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!
Signs of Success
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.
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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!
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