Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities

Mayor's Mentoring Alliance: Mentor Mingle featuring Movimiento Dance Academy -  Thursday, March 11 | 6:00 PM

Join the Mayor's Mentoring Alliance for our March Mentor Mingle with Movimiento Dance Academy. This virtual session is open to mentors and mentees as we explore the history and practice of various Latin dance forms. As a part of our Movement in Mentoring series, please wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to learn and dance!

To register, click here. 

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.

For more information, including examples of projects and a breakdown of scoring criteria, click here. Ready to apply? Start an application here. Applications are due by March 15.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library | Community Read 

Each year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a community-wide book club known as Community Read. Community Read focuses on creating a community dialogue around the themes of racism and social justice. This year it will be virtual.  Everyone in the community can participate; read a book, share perspectives, attend a program, engage on social media and build a stronger community together. 

For more information and to pledge to participate in Community Read, visit here.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library | Shape the Future of the Library 

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is in the process of developing a Facilities Master Plan that will guide the Library over the next 10-15 years. Part of that process is getting feedback from the community regarding what is most important to you regarding library locations. The Library would like your feedback on where you think new libraries may be needed and where library buildings and services need to be expanded or improved. 

The survey only takes 5 minutes to complete. You can access the survey here.

Help with heating bills is available through March 31

Assistance with heating bills is available this winter for eligible households through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). LIEAP assists low-income households with their immediate heating needs so they won’t have to choose between heating their homes and buying other necessities. LIEAP is a federal program administered by the county.

You do not have to be at risk of disconnection or delinquent to qualify for assistance. For more information, click here or call 704 336-3000.

A 20 Year Plan for Charlotte – Feedback and Sharing Request

Charlotte has not had a plan to guide growth and development in the community for nearly 50 years. To remedy this, the City of Charlotte has spent nearly three years engaging the community in developing the draft Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  The plan will set the policy direction and tools to guide development and investments in features including housing types and density, transportation and community spaces made in our city over the next two decades. The Plan also gives us an opportunity to be more accountable for our decisions when it comes to the growth and development of our city.

The project team are seeking your feedback on the draft plan, and also your support to help ensure that we’ve heard from as many community members as possible.  Please consider the following opportunities:

• Visit the Charlotte Future 2040 Virtual Open House- this is an interactive virtual experience where participants can view and comment on plan content. The experience is will be available in over 100 Languages and will be accessible to the public 24/7. 
• Become an Ambassador – we’ve created an Ambassador Toolkit  for community members to help spread the word about the Draft Comprehensive Plan. The toolkit contains variety of materials, ready-made to post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and NextDoor, or to print at home, send in an email, or include in a newsletter. Each of the folders includes all the images and text you will need, as well as some tips and tricks to optimize your post.

The City’s project team is gathering community input on the Draft Plan through mid-April. For questions, more information or to provide feedback visit Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, email cltfuture2040@charlottenc.gov, or call 704-336-2205.

Art on a Roll Art Bus Contest

Charlotte Area Transit System is hosting an art contest. Participants will design a bus wrap (covering an entire 40 foot bus) promoting public transit in Charlotte. The art must incorporate the theme of “unity.” The contest is open to high school and college students who are enrolled during the 2020-2021 school year. High school and college level entries will be judged separately. Submissions must be made by individual students. 

All entries must be received by 5:00 on March 12. Entries may be emailed to clange@charlottenc.gov or mailed/dropped off at Charlotte Area Transit System, Attn: Chris Lange, 600 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. 

41st  Annual Police Community Relations Awards

Nominations are being sought for the 41st Annual Police Community Relations Awards, sponsored by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee (CRC). The award seeks to recognize Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers and work teams from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of police community relations in on or more of the following areas:

• Helping the community to understand the police function and resident role
• Special assistance provided to neighborhoods
• Extraordinary efforts in the area of crime prevention

Nominations will be reviewed by members of the CRC and selected officers will be recognized during a virtual awards event during National Police Week – May 9 to 15. To nominate an officer or work team, please submit your nomination online or send your nominations to dmurrell@charlottenc.gov by Friday, April 2.

For your consideration

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