Mayor’s Youth Employment Program Celebrates 35 Years, Calls on Businesses to Support Students 

During her time with the Mayor's Youth Employment Program (MYEP), Sydnie worked at Atrium Health and helped provide vaccines for hundreds of people.⁠ "Medicine is not necessarily just about needles," she said. "The key to a healthy community is actually going out and seeing what the needs are, and informing the community about how they can keep themselves healthy and safe."⁠ Seeing all that goes into caring for patients and employees, and seeing the day-to-day operations had a big impact on her and her future; to know that there are people out here who are looking out for and helping the community.⁠
 

"I think it's very important for our youth to know what's available out there, to have a program and know what will work for them," she said. "With more employers [participating in MYEP], I think more [young people] will stay invested in the city of Charlotte and stay [here]… we're going to build a better city."⁠

MYEP student experiences like Sydnie's can shape a young person's future -- creating career paths, providing scholarship opportunities, and much more. This year, 600 students have applied to participate, and the MYEP team is currently looking for 100 employers to support these young people for the 2021 season. Businesses can host a student in a traditional, in-person work experience, support the virtual program, or sponsor a student for an in-person experience or on a virtual pathway. Learn more at charlottenc.gov/myep.

Healthy Homes: National Poisoning Prevention Week

Did you know that 90 percent of poisonings happen in the home? National Poisoning Prevention Week is March 21-27. Everyday poison centers answer questions and help in emergencies because life happens. Dial 1-800-222-1222 for anything poison-related, from your child swallowing a button battery, a snake bite to food poisoning. Some tips to remember to prevent poisoning at your home:

• Are your household cleaners locked up, or stored up and away from a child’s reach? Cleaners, which includes hand sanitizer and other disinfectants being used to reduce the spread of COVID-19, can be poisonous, so take steps to prevent this common poisoning risk.  
• In a poisoning emergency, seconds count. Call 1-800-222-1222 to connect with nurses, pharmacists and doctors who can give you accurate, life-saving treatment advice. Add the poison center hotline to your contacts today so you can be prepared. 

Keep Charlotte Beautiful $500 Microgrants

Have an idea for a beautification project in your community? Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB) is currently accepting applications for a unique microgrant opportunity. These competitive $500 grants are open to neighborhoods, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and individuals citywide. Projects must be visible to the community, be of sound and sustainable design, and fall within the four tenets of KCB: litter prevention, waste reduction and recycling, beautification, and community greening. Visit the KCB website for more information, including examples of projects and a breakdown of scoring criteria. Ready to apply? Complete your application by March 15.

SAFE Charlotte: $50,000 Grants for Nonprofits Committed to Curbing Violence

United Way of Central Carolinas, in partnership with the City of Charlotte, will award $1 million in grants to grassroots nonprofit agencies committed to supporting efforts to curb violence and increase safety across the city. Neighborhoods most affected by violence will be prioritized for funding through the Safety and Accountability for Everyone (SAFE) Charlotte grant program. The grant program responds to the reality that creating and sustaining a city where all residents are safe requires collaboration, innovation and community involvement. A total of 20 grants in the amount of $50,000 each will be awarded to 501(c)3 organizations meeting eligibility requirements under guidelines established by the City of Charlotte. Applications for SAFE Charlotte opened March 8 and will close on March 31 at 5 p.m. For complete details and application information, visit the SAFE Charlotte Grant website.

March 11: Thank You to CharMeck 311 on 3-1-1 Day!

We are so grateful for all of our hardworking customer service representatives at CharMeck 311! Did you know CharMeck311 answered over 909,000 calls in 2020? Not a single operating day was missed during the pandemic! Remember, you can call, chat online or submit any of these requests on the CLT+ app:

• Schedule a bulky pickup
• Learn about your trash schedule
• Ask questions about your water bill
• Report graffiti
• Request street light or pot hole repairs
• And so much more!

Non-Residential Building Code Ordinance Update: Public Survey

The City of Charlotte’s Great Neighborhoods Committee is in the process of reviewing and evaluating the city’s current Non-Residential Building Code (NRBC) Ordinance. The NRBC Ordinance addresses interior, exterior and property maintenance standards for commercial businesses. The NRBC ordinance was created in 2009 and has not been reviewed since it was originally passed by Charlotte City Council. Violations to the NRBC Ordinance can range from buildings open to vagrants and criminal activity to broken windows or major structural issues. If commercial buildings are not properly maintained, they can have a negative impact on surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. Therefore, the City of Charlotte is continuing to seek community input for the review and evaluation of the ordinance through a brief online survey.   

Financial Navigators Available to Assist During Tax Season

The City of Charlotte has partnered with Common Wealth Charlotte to offer a Financial Navigators program. Financial Navigators can assist residents with information regarding any tax questions, assistance preparing their taxes, or if they have any tax disputes. This organization has connections to various resources that can be used to assist residents with their tax needs. For those who would like additional information, please complete the Financial Navigators form (this must be opened in Google Chrome) or call 3-1-1 for assistance.

Community Engagement Impact Stories

Garden Buds Volunteers: Northeast Service Area Spotlight
When COVID-19 hit and shut down Winterfield Elementary, two volunteers, Heli and Marta, stepped up to make sure the children’s garden, which was established in 2010, continued to thrive. Read on to learn more about these “Garden Buds” volunteers and other neighbors in the Northeast Service Area.

Community Grants Bring Neighbors Together at Carmel Village
Since 2015, Carmel Village has been awarded over $50,000 for community enhancement projects. "Being awarded these grants has brought the community together," Patricia Johanson, Carmel Village HOA President, explained. "It has encouraged owners to make improvements to their units and take pride in the community. Neighbors watch out for one another. More residents now know who their neighbors are because they met working volunteer hours." See how these community grants help bring neighbors together.