Written By Hope Marshall, Criminal Justice Program Manager
Reentry is an important part of helping people released from prison get a second chance. Our prison and jail populations have decreased in the last 10 years. That’s a good thing! It also means we need a plan to help them stay out and off the streets.
Continue ReadingEating healthy? Check!
Exercising (at a Park and Recreation greenway, recreation center or fitness center)? Check!
Getting plenty of rest? Check! (Sometimes.)
Up-to-date immunization?
If you and your family are making great strides at living your best and healthiest life, make sure your immunization records are part of your health checklist.
You might be thinking “I never get sick,” or “I just don’t have the time.” However, it’s important to remember that immunizations not only protect you, they also protect those you spend time with the most. And if you have children, North Carolina law requires that students show proof of certain required vaccines within the first 30 days of the school year.
Continue ReadingHere are some words of wisdom: DON’T TOUCH A RACCOON, FOX, BAT OR ANY OTHER WILD ANIMAL. I don’t care if the bat reminds you of a superhero or if the baby raccoon batted its eyes at you.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk rabies. Why? Because somewhere out there, there’s someone who thinks it’s safe to play with these fake friends.
Continue ReadingThere’s nothing like Sunday dinner with a table full of veggies fresh from the garden.
Growing up in western North Carolina, I recall frequent visits to my grandparents’ farm in the mountains. In addition to grazing cattle, haylofts for us to play in and endless acres to romp through, across the road and down by the creek was the garden.
Tended by my grandmother, every summer it yielded baskets of tomatoes, squash, corn, beans, onions, beets, potatoes, and much more. All wound up on the summertime table or in canning jars to last through the winter.
Continue ReadingIf you’ve visited one of Mecklenburg County’s full-service recycling centers, you know we take electronics, household hazardous waste, yard waste and more. Now add foam, books and shredded paper to your in-person recycling drop-off list!
Continue ReadingWhile the holiday season is often a time to be jolly, it can leave a lot of people feeling sad and exhausted. Even people who love the holidays can experience the blues during this busy season.
What gifts are you going to get for everyone? Do you have enough time to spend with people that you love? Are you missing a loved one this holiday season? There are so many reasons why holiday stressors can turn into the holiday blues.
Here’s an early gift to yourself: Five ways to make your holidays a brighter shade of blue.
Continue ReadingElection Day will be here before we know it and the number one thing you need to do before you cast your ballot is make a plan! You have a lot of options for voting and a few things to consider before you do it. We’ll walk you through them one by one.
Of course the very first step is to register. This year you can register online! Even if you’re pretty sure you’re already registered, double check ahead of election day. It’s especially important to check your registration if you’ve moved. You can easily look up your status online and avoid any surprises on Election Day.
Continue ReadingLove should not hurt. It should not bring fear, pain or sadness. But too often in Mecklenburg County—and other communities—love turns into sorrow. And someone is left broken and trying to survive.
Mecklenburg County is home to a powerful number of domestic violence survivors. Now they’re sharing their experiences in an engaging art display—a series of stories published on mobile banners available for organizations to display in Mecklenburg County.
Continue ReadingAnywhere it rains, it can flood. However, there is one place where that’s actually a good thing: greenways.
Yep, you heard me correctly. Not only do greenways connect people and places as well as provide transportation and fitness opportunities, they also help reduce the risk of flooding for neighboring properties.
Continue ReadingWalk into Mecklenburg County’s Veterans Services office and you might notice something in the lobby—a statuette of a heroic service member.
The sculpture depicts Scott Dayton, Senior Chief Petty Officer and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) tech in the U.S. Navy. You may ask: why is it here?
It’s long, but heroic story. A story that winds from Virginia to Syria, to Mecklenburg County, and finally back to the U.S. Navy base in Norfolk, Va.
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