Our every other week check-in meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting compassionate community response to our most vulnerable neighbors. Meetings are held online every other Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Email LeDayne Polaski for Zoom access code. In addition, if you would like to receive notification when these minutes are posted, please email LeDayne and ask to be added to the Thursday meetings email list.
Want to learn more about we do on our calls? Watch this short video clip!
Click HERE to Access Zoom Recording:
OPENING REFLECTION
In the darkness that encircles us all around, and shuts our vision, do Thou, Lord, rise like the sun, and dispel the darkness with Thy Light Divine. May all be freed from dangers. May all realize what is good. May all be motivated by noble thoughts. May all rejoice everywhere. May all be happy. May all be free from diseases. May all realize what is good and healthy. May none be subject to misery. O Lord, lead us from the unreal to the Real. Lead us from darkness to Light. Lead us from death to Immortality! Peace, peace, peace be unto all! Amen.
A prayer in the Hindu tradition
Found at this interfaith website
1. MeckMIN Updates
TRAUMA AWARENESS & RESILIENCE: Breaking Cycles
You’ve probably heard that “hurt people hurt people.” It’s true. Unhealed trauma leads to recurring violence against self and others. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Individuals and communities can learn skills for addressing trauma, healing relationships, and building resilience which improves the well-being of all. Healing people heal people!
In this workshop we’ll explore the types of trauma and its impact on individuals and groups, the victim/survivor cycle of unhealed trauma, the aggressor/offender cycle of unhealed trauma, and tools and techniques for breaking the cycle. We’ll also share transformative initiatives and stories.
This is an introductory workshop which will be most helpful to attendees with little to no previous training on trauma.
MeckMIN offers a number of training programs
MeckMIN offers a number of training programs on topics that are especially relevant in our society today. Training programs include skills and mindsets for effective conversations when we disagree, trauma awareness and resilience, racism, movement for social change, activism, and conflict transformation. We also offer interfaith panels for workplaces and schools. Prices and further information are available HERE
These trainings can be brought to you -- perhaps your congregation, school, neighborhood association, or nonprofit would like to host your own event. We're also offering a number of stand-alone trainings throughout 2024 including the one below. Note that this training and all of our stand-alone trainings are offered on a sliding scale -- we never want cost to keep you from attending so please pay what you can or choose to attend for free.
2024 Youth Events
Youth Summit
Aug 10, 2024, 10:00 AM – Aug 11, 2024, 4:50 PM
Myers Park United Methodist Church, 501 Queens Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Saturday, Aug 10 and Sunday, Aug 11
This is a two day experience open to middle and high schoolers. We do fun stuff and visit houses of faith and do service projects. PLEASE share directly with youth you know and PLEASE share within your congregations and networks.
OPEN TABLES June 18 | Trinity Presbyterian Church
Potluck and dialogue. There will be guided resources from Living Room Conversations. ALL are welcome – it is a GREAT way to meet people you’ll never encounter otherwise.
Arrive at 6 PM if you'd like to take part in a service project. We will be assembling baby gift bags for expecting parents for Baby Bumbles.
Register HERE
SERVICE PROJECT
Volunteer at the English Learner Family Academic Symposium Event, Charlotte
July 27, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Register HERE
Latin American Coalition is not having their resource fair in July because they are supporting this event. It has been in all CMS school weekly emails for over a month. They are providing classes for the parents and entertainment for the kids. Then lots of cultural food, entertainment, blow ups for everyone. Last year they had 1000 people and they need lots of volunteers.
INTERFAITH WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB
Faith Club is a long-standing MeckMIN program for women of all faiths -- we gather monthly to discuss books, essays, videos and more. As you'll see below, we have a RICH variety of topics! We also create rich, deep and lasting friendships across lines of difference. We WELCOME new members. Email meckmin@meckmin.org to learn more.
June 26 - Listening is an Act of Love Story Core video
July 17 - (the 3rd Wed) The Race Card Game
Aug. 28 - Welcoming the Stranger by Sorens and Yang
Sept. 25 - Repentance and Repair: Making Amends by Dayna Rutterberg
Oct. 20 - (Sunday) Sukkah event; Discuss In Sweet Company: Conversations with Extraordinary Women about Living a Spiritual Life Margaret Wolff
The views and opinions expressed below are those of the speakers/presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the MeckMIN board or our member organizations.
COMMUNITY HEALTH UPDATES
Mecklenburg County Health Department
David Sweat | David.Sweat@mecklenburgcountync.gov
We are at the lowest level of COVID transmission that we have been at for the last year. Everyone should get a booster each year and senior citizens should get them every six months.
The Health Department has excellent educational resources you can share - contact David for details.
2. Non-Profit Updates
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID & QPR
Carol S. Senick MPA | csenick@alliancehealthplan.org | 980-677-4262
Community Education Specialist, Alliance Health
Carol Senick is a certified Mental Health First Aid and QPR trainer working for Alliance Health. July 1 they will include physical and pharmacy needs. Many of their trainings are free and when they charge it is only for the manual. They have events on self-care, diabetes, stress management and crisis de- escalation and much more. Also state training re: medicare extension. For full list, see training calendar.
Here are the links to our listing of the trainings we offer and to our events calendar, respectively, which shows the virtual trainings we have scheduled in advance https://www.alliancehealthplan.org/about/trainings/
FAITH-BASED MEDICAID EXPANSION
Shakira Greene | sgreene@caresharehealth.org,
Hollis Smith | hsmith@caresharehealth.org | (919) 861-8360
Medicaid Expansion Outreach & Education Coordinator,Care
Share Health Alliance
Care Share Health Alliance promotes health equity and anti-racism by supporting local organizations. We are currently dealing with Medicaid Expansion. We host webinars. Faith based community webinar is coming up Thursday June 13th at 2:30.
For reference, the webinar is on June 13th from 2:30pm to 3:30pm and the registration link is here
Shakira puts on events across the state and can bring a presentation and enrollers to your site.
You provide the space and attendees and she provides food and presentation. Contact Shakira Greene, sgreene@caresharehealth.org
PACE OF THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
Trelanie Neville | tneville@pacesp.com | 980.417.1306 cell | 704.887.3844 fax
MPH, CHES, Community Health Educator & Intake Coordinator
Daniel Rushing | drushing@pacesp.com
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is an innovative model that provides a range of integrated preventative, acute, and long-term care services to manage the complex medical, functional, and social needs of the frail elderly. PACE was created as a way to provide flexibility in meeting a person’s health care needs while they continue to live safely in the community. They cover Mecklenburg, Stanley, Cabarrus county and more for seniors. They are a medicare and medicaid funded program that provides a care team that coordinates care for seniors and caregivers including pharmacy, transportation, gym, and more. Want to come and help more folks so happy to provide more information. Reach out to learn more.
Daniel Rushing is a PACE chaplain providing spiritual health component.
LEMONTREE
Alma Medina | alma@lemontreefoods.org
Operations Manager | Lemontree Food Helpline
It would be my pleasure to share updates on the progress of our nonprofit organization, Lemontree, at your next meeting.
Lemontree runs a text message helpline to connect people to resources like food pantries, SNAP benefits, and more. Team is bilingual and available every day between 10 am and 6 pm. In 2020 helped 1500 people and now up to 8000 people. You can see more on our website at https://www.foodhelpline.org/
NEIGHBOR THE NATIONS
Chris Phillips | chris@neighborthenations.com | 434-329-5786
We are a Charlotte, North Carolina-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization that resettles refugees, reunites separated families and rebuilds lives through our trained Neighbor Teams that we support and send locally and abroad. They differ from CRRA and Catholic Charities in that those two organizations work directly with the public funds and agencies. Neighbor the Nations works with private funding and groups.
We educate, train, and equip Neighbor Teams, consisting of 5-10 volunteers, from local churches and local communities to effectively welcome, resettle, and support vulnerable refugees as they arrive to rebuild their lives.
We resettle refugees by matching our Neighbor Teams with waiting refugees overseas, welcoming them at the airport, then supporting them as they rebuild their lives in our community, finally empowering them to thrive independently as our new neighbors.
We work alongside leaders in the community and other NGOs to collaboratively foster an environment that will lead to the successful welcoming of refugees with holistic care.
We send NTN International Teams to refugee camps to serve, learn, and care for the most vulnerable.
We work to reunite separated refugee families in our community.
We like to connect with people who can connect immigrants to larger communities like churches, mosques etc. We currently have about 8 families hosting about 57 refugees. We are looking for additional help. We have to raise $4500/per family.
We hope you will volunteer either as:
a family representative who disseminates information
Someone with daytime availability to help with driving, paperwork and more
Mel Toran | +1 (904) 7132381 | m: +1 (813) 2208073
Senior Executive Director, Western NC/SC
VOICES of Black Women is a long-term study led by the Population Science team within the American Cancer Society (ACS) that aims to enroll at least 100,000 Black women in the United States over the next few years. The goal of this study is to better understand health conditions like cancer and how to improve overall health among Black women.
Black women have been historically underrepresented in research, and this “next generation” study will help us overcome previous limitations from such under-representation. Information from our VOICES participants will help optimize the health of Black women for generations to come by giving ACS VOICES researchers the opportunity to:
Advance the knowledge of the health conditions that affect Black women.
Inform strategies for interventions to help Black women decrease their risk for certain diseases.
Inform advocacy efforts that initiate, support, or expand health policies based on evidence-based research.
Looking for women 25-55 to follow for 30 years with surveys and blood draws to understand the linkages that affect Black women when it comes to cancer. If you fall into this category - please enroll in the study. If you know people, please share and invite others to join.
Economic Empowerment Fair June 15, 10-2 pm
Rebecca Kurtz, Integration Programs Director, carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, Office: (704) 535-8803 Cell: (704) 559-9835,
Annsley Banks | Annsley.banks@carolinarefugee.org
Davidson Braswell | davidson.braswell@carolinarefugee.org
Project 658, 3646 Central Avenue
Project 658 and CRRA are co-hosting a World Refugee Day Event on June 15 from 10-2 at Project 658! To celebrate, Project 658 and Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency are co-hosting an Economic Empowerment Fair focused on entrepreneurship and business development. This event will feature a bazaar-style market with local, immigrant-owned merchants, a full schedule of seminars for small businesses and booths for organizations to distribute resources.
To participate, organizations and small business owners can register HERE
AJ & THE COOL KIDS GALA
Antonio and Tonya Tolson, Co-Founders, Tonya Tolson, Contact@ajandthecoolkids.org 704-675-0161
Our 2024 Gala Tickets are now on sale! Please click the link to attend or donate!! August 17th in the Cornelius area. It provides funds to families of children with a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum services. It helps families pay bills and meet needs that are attributed to autism like speech and OT. Many organizations provide services but not money to pay for it.
Donations: Fund Me-AJ and the Cool Kids
JUSTSERVE SUMMER BUCKET LIST
Kristen Anderson | andersonkw@comm.churchofjesuschrist.org
Communication Director, Charlotte and Western NC, Northwestern SC, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, cell: 704-604-4617
JustServe.org is a free website that matches organizations in need of service with volunteers who want to lift and improve their community. Available in all 50 states and several countries worldwide, JustServe's motto is to build unity through community service. As we work side-by-side and learn from each other, mutual understanding increases, misconceptions can be corrected, and new friendships are built.
JustServe in the Carolinas is sponsoring its 5th annual Summer of Service Bucket List.
Gather your family or friend group and add this to your summer plans: 3 Community Service Projects found on JustServe.org + 3 fun group activities of your choice = cool prizes, fun memories, and the good feeling that comes when you help someone else.
Volunteering together not only enriches the lives of those in need but also strengthens family/friend bonds and teaches valuable life lessons.
Details can be found here: https://www.justserve.org/projects/625c9e43-555e-4bff-a175-1d6bb7c92340/justserve-carolinas-summer-bucket-list?shiftId=742741f4-74a7-4380-9092-8436da040fd9 (or see attachments)
There are over 100 faith, nonprofit, community, and government organizations who list their volunteer needs on JustServe.org in the greater Charlotte area. Visit justserve.org to find in-person and remote (serve from home) service projects near where you live anytime of the year. If you are an organization in need of volunteers, you can submit your needs on JustServe or reach out to Sabrina Johnson, the regional JustServe specialist, at sabrinajohnson@justserve.org for help.
The Summer Bucket list is an opportunity to choose three service projects and three other activities to do during the summer and when you submit photos of you doing all six activities you get fun swag!!! Some are in person and others are virtual.
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY TRANSITION
Kenjuan Watkins | kwatkins@centerforcommunitytransitions.org
The Center for Community Transitions is a non-profit organization with a mission to strengthen our community by helping people with criminal records and their families find a healthier and more productive way of living.
Our work provides employment and transition services; supports alternatives to incarceration; and restores and strengthens family bonds.
Life Works - for anyone with involvement with the justice system at any time, even the past. There is 2 week job training to help you transition and determine what you are good at. You are then connected with employers who commit to hiring.
Families Doing Time project: For kids, teenagers and families of those who are incarcerated. They do SEL programs and many non-profits come to help those families.
SUMMER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES w/FAMILIES FORWARD
Tatiyana Laws, M.Ed, | tatiyana@familiesforwardclt.org
Direct of Programming, Families Forward Charlotte, www.familiesforwardcharlotte.org
Families Forward is an adult mobility mentoring program that serves low income families. Each month we host 4 educational workshops on topics such as parenting skills, financial literacy, and mental health services. We are looking for volunteers to assist with several
Child watch during our workshops which occur on various Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm and Saturday mornings from 11 am-1 pm. If anyone is interested in volunteering please reach out to me (Tatiyana@familiesforwardclt.org) and we will walk you through the process to get registered. We are also hosting our 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Providence Baptist Church on Randolph Road this Saturday, June 8th from 10 am-12 pm and could use a few volunteers for set-up and clean up. This is a fun, family centered event held specifically for our Family Partner participants. Again please reach out to Tatiyana@familiesforwardclt.org for more details.
Need Volunteers (will look into Just Serve.) Host 4 workshops a month on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Need help with childwatch. Teens are welcome to assist if they are interested. Event coming up this Saturday at Providence Baptist on Randolph Road. Volunteers needed there as well.
BRIGHT STARS
Pearle | prlborders@aol.com
We're still serving children in meeting their social and academic needs through Excellence in After School and Summer Camp Programs. We're launching our 6th Summer Camp on June 17, 2024.
Wallace H. Kuralt Centre, 301 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 or VCW Community Resource Center, 3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-432-1111
Just1Call is the single portal of entry for information, referral, and initiation of services. The J1C process begins by calling 704-432-1111 with an inquiry from a prospective client, family member, a member of the community, or an agency. Highly skilled intake social workers screen and assess urgent complex requests for assistance via telephone, office, fax, or email and help the client access needed resources
Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Help starts here.
OTHERS ON THE CALL (as time allows)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SERVICES at Washington Heights
April Turner | AprilCTurner@gmail.com
Community Engagement & Cultural Consultant--- representing WashiNgton Heights Neighborhood Association.
They have a Juneteenth event and a Father’s Day event coming up. They are looking specifically for plant seedlings, especially fruiting plants, that can be distributed at that event. They would also welcome Father’s Day gifts.
Joseph Graham Jr. Living Water Inc | jgraham@livingwatersfa.com | 980-239-9596
Living Waters Inc is a non-profit organization committed to the growth and development of our most important asset, “the people”. Living Waters Inc serves as an independent link to faith-based communities to collaborate and partner with public and private sectors
They focus on reducing racial disparity but also policy issues. July 25th 9-1 pm will be an event called Let’s Talk: Domestic Violence and Mental Health focusing on its impact on children. This particular event is about gathering stakeholders together to see if we can close the holes in the net. They’ll have social workers that deal with the situation, licensed counselors and others. If you are interested in being in the panel or at the event, please reach out.
There Are Choices In Life…
Among the choices are how to learn and move forward, how to set and achieve goals, and how to grow. Our communities are constantly being impacted by change. The diversity of the population requires forming new partnerships and enhancing existing ones to support the community’s social and economic structures.
Living Waters Inc serves as an independent link to faith-based communities to collaborate and partner with public and private sectors.
The key message regarding reducing racial/ethnic disparities in America will require the work and cooperation of many individuals, communities, organizations and institutions. This diverse group of partners will also mandate the development of key messages for communicating with various audiences regarding the social conditions that affect the health and socioeconomic issues facing our communities. These audiences include the general public, public and behavioral health employees, business leaders, and groups affected by health disparities, policy makers and media.
Assists communities to establish and implement new goals.
Specialty Areas Include:
Behavioral Health Initiatives
Healing and Wellness Circles
Faith / Health Initiatives
Job Skills Training
Mentoring Programs
Access to Care
Capacity Building
Media Advocacy
Family Enhancement
Cultural Competency Training
Community Resource Development
GENERAL INFORMATION
ELIGIBLE NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES
will receive a one-time $120 payment per eligible child to purchase nutritious food this summer through the SUN Bucks program starting June 14.
· Those already receiving Food and Nutrition Services will have their SUN Bucks loaded to their existing EBT card.
BLOCK LOVE CHARLOTTE
ecently opened their New Day services center, expanding their service offerings. It's a huge milestone for this much-loved organization and the result of a lot of hard work. Congrats!
FOSTER VILLAGE CHARLOTTE'S ANNUAL LEMONADE STAND CAMPAIGN
Keep your kids occupied this summer by checking out Foster Village Charlotte's annual lemonade stand campaign. Sign up to host a stand - or just check out where you can buy a glass and support foster children and families impacted by the foster care system across our city!
HOPE HAVEN
The Forum at Hope Haven has a host of trainings in June, covering mental health, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and race-based stress and trauma.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Mecklenburg County to Host Information Sessions on Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled Residents Ahead of Upcoming Service Modifications.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) will update the types trips offered for senior citizens and disabled residents. In an effort to prepare the public for the upcoming changes, residents are invited to attend a series of upcoming information sessions to speak with county staff, learn more about the modifications along with available resources and services. Below is a listing of upcoming sessions that residents can attend:
Thursday, June 6 - District 1
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waymer Recreation Center (14008 Holbrooks Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078)
Tuesday, June 11 - District 4
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Independence Regional Library (6000 Conference Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212)
Friday, June 14 - District 2
2 – 4 p.m.
West Boulevard (2157 West Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208)
LABYRINTH WALK
Summer Intro to Mindfulness
The summer Intro to Mindfulness will meet on Tuesday Evenings, June 18- July 23, 6:00 - 7:00pm with a free Information session/drop in: June 11th 6:00-7:00pm. If interested, click here for more info
Labyrinth Walk
Our June Mindful Walk will be another Labyrinth Walk led by Amy Jane Williams. She led us last fall at the same place, Morningstar Chapel, in full autumn glory. This time we get to see the full green of late spring. It is a beautiful place and a lovely way to practice outside in community.
Hope you can join us for our weekly Community Drop In's. This week we will explore an inquiry practice around moment to moment mindfulness. If you miss the group, remember these offerings are posting in our podcast here: CCM Podcast
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS - SUICIDE PREVENTION
The HHS Partnership Center developed a comprehensive series of PSAs in partnership with diverse faith community leaders to maximize outreach and raise awareness. Please click on the links below to watch each PSA.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from COGIC Leaders (PSA #1), (PSA #2), (PSA #3)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline PSA from African American Faith Leaders
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline PSA from Hindu Faith Leaders
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline PSA from Muslim Faith Leaders
HOUSING ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
DreamKey Partners' Down Payment Assistance Programs: Check out various down payment assistance programs through DreamKey Partners.
SouthernFirst's Dream Mortgage: The Dream Mortgage features up to 100% financing, no down payment required, and no mortgage insurance required. Eligibility is based on the location of the home, see here: https://southernfirst.com/dream-mortgage-map.
- If you're interested in this program, please reach out to Austyn Key at akey@southernfirst.com.
- Southern First Bank is a Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender.
HEALTH & WELNESS PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
(NEW) Free Prescription Assistance: HealthQuest is a licensed nonprofit pharmacy dedicated to improving the health of our community by assisting those who cannot afford their prescription medication. You may be eligible to receive medications for chronic conditions including diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and more! For eligibility requirements and more information, please click here.
FOOD SECURITY
(NEW) The Bulb Market: The Bulb is a donation-based farmers market that provides mostly local and fresh produce (and wellness resources) to food-insecure areas. Mobile markets begin June 3, 2024. Schedule below:
- Weekly, Mondays from 1-2 p.m.: Woodlawn UMC (737 E Woodlawn Rd)
- Weekly, Tuesdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Cokesbury Methodist Church (6701 Idlewild Rd)
- Weekly, Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Renaissance West (3241 New Renaissance Way)
- Weekly, Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m.: Hidden Valley/Parkwood Institutional CME (802 Tom Hunter Rd)
- 1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 4 -5 p.m.: Grier Heights Community Center (3100 LeRoy St)
- 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 11 a.m. -12 p.m.: Tuckaseegee Elementary School (2028 Little Rock Rd)
- Weekly, Thursdays from 11 am-12 p.m.: Camp North End (400 Camp Rd)
- 1st & 3rd Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 p.m.: The Grove (5735 E W.T. Harris Blvd)
- 3rd Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Philadelphia Presbyterian (11501 Bain School Rd)
- 1st & 3rd Fridays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Beatties Ford/West Charlotte Rec Center (2401 Kendall Dr)
- 2nd & 4th Fridays from 10:30 -11:30 a.m.: East Side/OurBRIDGE (3925 Willard Farrow Dr)
MISCELLANEOUS
(NEW) In Need of Baby Essentials and Resources? The BEAR Closet is designed to provide free essential items for the community's underserved parents of infants and toddlers. Open the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., you can expect to find clothes, diapers, books, and more! Location: 3545 Beatties Ford Rd.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY CAREER EXPO
Career Fair on Friday, June 28, at the Valerie C. Woodard Conference Center.
CHOSEN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS SEEKING SPONSORS
NOVANT HEALTH | HEALTH ASSESSMENT CLINICS
Novant Health Community Care Cruiser team is offering a CMS mandatory health assessment at no charge to children who qualify for the VFC program, by appointment only.
Health Assessments are required for kindergartners and all CURRENT students who are new to the N.C. Public School system regardless of grade.
Clinics will be held on the following dates:
6/17/2024 – Northern Regional Park and Creation Center: 18121 Old Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031.
PRAYER FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS
Metta – a Buddhist prayer of loving kindness
May we be protected from inner and outer harm
May we be released from the entanglement of cravings
May we have a calm and concentrated mind
May we live simply with ease
May any merit generated as a result of our gathering be for the benefit of all beings.
May all beings be free from suffering.
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