October 8, 2026 | Faith, Community and Non-Profit Leader Check-In Meeting
Welcome to MeckMIN's Thursday Zoom Check-In Meetings
These meetings are open to anyone interested in supporting compassionate community response, especially in partnership with the most vulnerable among us.
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.
You can find the recording here:
Attendance: 52
OPENING REFLECTION
Adult joy knows that suffering and loss always live close by life and
love. And that knowledge brings what is good and joyful all the more into relief.
Ross Gay
MECKMIN UPDATES
PLEASE SHARE THESE EVENTS WITH YOUR NETWORK AND WITH ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED – AND PLEASE CONSIDER COMING YOURSELF
THURSDAY MEETINGS
We are meeting in 2026:
October 22
November 5
November 12
December 3
December 17
No meeting December 31
2027 Schedule TBA
MeckMIN: Women's Interfaith Book Club (aka Faith Club)
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 7 PM - both in person and Zoom options are available
Interfaith Embroidery Group Seeks New Members
The group meets one evening a month and is open to new members. If you are interested in getting details, email meckmin@meckmin.org.
Youth Service Project Sunday October 25 – 4:30pm to 6 pm
Serving at Lydia's Pantry
Galilee Center | 3601 Central Avenue, Charlotte | RSVP
November 12 – Potlucks for Pluralism Dignity Index Training
Open to local college students and college-age young adults
FRIENDSGIVING REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Save the Dates:
February 2 – Interfaith Harmony Month Kick-Off Dinner
February 21 - Youth Interfaith Panel (all ages invited to attend)
Link to LeDayne’s letter: https://www.meckmin.org/post/a-personal-letter-to-the-meckmin-community
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.
MECK COUNTY UPDATES
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations
Diamond L. Davies, M.Ed.
Community Coordinator
Website: charlottenc.gov/communityrelations
Oct. 8: Behind the Ballot: How Local Elections are Run in North Carolina https://charlottenc.seamlessdocs.com/ng/fa/bthggt3oxiyc
Oct. 21: The Missing Piece (Mediation Conference) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-missing-piece-mediation-conference-registration-1999267827892?aff=oddtdtcreator
Mecklenburg County Public Health / Office of Health Equity – Community Engagement Program
Greetings! My name is Gwendolyn Devins, Community Engagement Manager at Mecklenburg County Public Health. I oversee three initiatives (Village HeartB.E.A.T., MeckMoves, and the Community Health Worker Initiative). I manage a team of health educators and a supervisor who are trusted liaisons that connect our residents to community resources and provide departmentwide support around our programs, services, and initiatives.
Village HeartB.E.A.T. Faith-Based Initiative: Is a FREE chronic disease risk reduction and prevention initiative that collaborates with faith-based organizations.
Recruitment is underway for the 16-week fitness
competition that kicks off in January 2027. We welcome all houses of faith to join us! To learn more, view our recruitment materials and visit health.mecknc.gov/vhb.
MeckMoves Countywide Initiative: Inspired by VHB, this is a FREE countywide challenge (those that are not connected to or associated with a congregation) that encourages you to move your way toward a
healthier lifestyle and reduce chronic disease. Recruitment is also in motion for the 16-week challenge and begins in January 2027. All are welcome to join! To learn more, view our recruitment materials and register for
our virtual interest sessions at health.mecknc.gov/meckmoves.
- Competition/Challenge Eligibility:
o 18+ years of age
o Must live, work, recreate in Mecklenburg County
o Must self-identify with at least one risk factor associated with heart disease
As we soak in this fall weather, I invite ALL community partners to learn more about the Community Engagement Program by attending our 2nd Annual Bridges & Blueprints Community Engagement Retreat tomorrow, October 9. Though registration has closed, I still welcome you to come, but you must send me an email to Gwendolyn.Devins@MeckNC.gov as capacity is limited.
Gwendolyn Devins, MPH, CCHWCommunity Engagement ManagerMecklenburg County Public Health | Division of Population HealthMecklenburg County GovernmentDesk: (980) 314-9675 / Mobile: (980) 721-6869 | MeckNC.Gov
CITY OF CHARLOTTE UPDATES
"Crenshaw, Omar" <Omar.Crenshaw@charlottenc.gov>
The City of Charlotte’s Office of Youth Opportunities is hosting the OYO Youth Job Fair, and we would appreciate your help connecting us with employers, training providers, and young people who could benefit from attending.
· Saturday, November 7, 2026
· 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
· Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas - 1701 North Graham St., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC
· For youth and young adults ages 16–24
We are seeking employers and organizations interested in presenting available training, seasonal, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities for this age group. Participating organizations will be selected based on how well their opportunities align with the event’s focus.
If your organization would like to participate as an employer or resource vendor, please complete the Employer Registration Form by Friday, October 23, 2026.
We also encourage you to share this opportunity with students and young adults in your networks. Participants will have the chance to meet employers from different industries, learn about available jobs and training, and make connections. Some employers will be hiring on the spot, so participants should come ready to introduce themselves and make a great first impression!
Youth and young adults can register for the OYO Youth Job Fair here.
Whether someone is looking for their first job, seasonal work, additional experience, or their next opportunity, we hope you will encourage them to attend.
Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues, partners, and youth-serving organizations. Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for helping us connect young people with these opportunities!
Register here - cltgov.me/youthjobfair
Omar Crenshaw Office of Youth Opportunities Specialist Office of Youth Opportunities | Housing & Neighborhood Services600 East Trade Street | 3rd Floor, Suite 306 | Charlotte, NC 28202(704) 579-8434 |Omar.Crenshaw@charlottenc.gov | charlottenc.gov
NONPROFIT UPDATES
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Anna Cushman - Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy - anna@tedescoimmigration.com - Subject line "CCLA Support"- please contact me regarding supporting immigrant children in removal proceedings at our Charlotte Immigration Court. Financial support of CCLA is urgently needed. Other ways - Access to Justice Breakfast is 2/25/27 and I would love to see churches and other houses of worship buying a table so folks can support and hear the stories / encourage. St. John's Baptist will again have a table. Leads and community connections welcome also. God bless https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/donate/ https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/2027-access-to-justice-breakfast/ https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/what-we-do/immigration/ |
Special Olympics NC
Kathy Langfield <klangfield@sonc.net>
Senior Director of Volunteer Engagement
Breanne Mercer <bmercer@sonc.net>
Bre Mercer, SONC Director of Development and Jonathan Bernstein, Special Olympics Mecklenburg County Athlete, will be representing us tomorrow.
We are primarily recruiting for Fall Tournament, November 12-14 in the Charlotte Area. Volunteers can sign up here: https://specialolympicsnorthcarolina.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=115989
We will also speak briefly on opportunities in Mecklenburg County. https://sonc.net/local-programs/mecklenburg-county/
If you are able to provide lunches for Special Olympics North Carolina Fall Tournament email breanne@sonc.net
We have a 5K/Fun Run/Walk on December 12 at the NASCAR track, here is the link with information on signing up to run
Charlotte Documenters
Sana Silvera-Roy <silveraroys@queens.edu>
My name is Sana Silvera-Roy, and I am the Program Manager for Charlotte Documenters, a program of the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative (CJC). Charlotte Documenters trains and pays community members to attend public meetings and help increase civic engagement and transparency. I've included a link below if you'd like to learn more about the program:Link.
I am particularly interested in exploring ways we might partner with faith communities to share information about the program and potentially host orientations.
Galilee Center
Emily Parker <edgalileeeast@gmail.com>
Power of 11: Abundance in Action Breakfast. Wed, Oct 21 at 10 am. Register here: gmcharlotte.org. Click here Galilee of East Charlotte: Power of 11 Celebration to see the variety of pre-breakfast and day-of volunteer opportunities and sign up if you can serve.
· Join us for the Oct 27 Food is Love Community Lunch. 11:30 – 1 pm.
· Annual Winter Coat Drive. Nov 9 – Nov 30. New or clean and gently used coats, gloves, socks, scarves for men, women, and children.
· Help support Lydia’s Pantry! If you or your organization would like to regularly collect and donate specific non-perishable items to keep our shelves stocked, please let me know!
Questions? Contact me at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com. Thank you!
Sustain Charlotte's Biketobefest
Join Sustain Charlotte for Biketoberfest on Sunday, October 18! Now in its 12th year, Biketoberfest is a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt-style adventure through Charlotte. Explore the city by bike, on foot, or on a scooter while visiting local businesses, parks, and landmarks and completing fun challenges along the way. Then, celebrate at Triple C Brewing with live music, food and drinks, and raffle prizes! All ages are welcome, and children 12 and under participate free with a registered adult. Proceeds support Sustain Charlotte’s work to build a more equitable, connected, and healthy community. Click here for the Event Info & Registration Site
We can also offer a discount code to MeckMIN meeting attendees on the call.
Embrace Carolinas
Patrick - Executive Directorpatrick@embracecarolinas.org
Upcoming Christmas Party and our request for godparents to provide a gift to local immigrant kids. Looking for people, congregations, individuals interested in supporting this gift-giving opportunity.
Supportive Housing Communities |
Sydney Bowman sydney@aplacetoliveagain.org
· Greeting and Thank you · Intro and Brief Description of SHC: My name, role and brief explanation of our mission at SHC. · Introduce Neighbor of the Year event: Provide details as far as date, time and place. · Briefly Discuss Event: Annual Breakfast celebrating our neighbors who are making a difference. What to expect. · Join us: Invite, $35 tickets, link in the chat, LeDayne has the link as well · Thank you.
Flyer Link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fy26notymeetyourneighbor/event/neighbor27/
SYDNEY BOWMAN Marketing and Volunteer Engagement Associate Supportive Housing Communities 601 E. 5th St. Suite 255, Charlotte, NC 28202 |
 |
Latin American Coalition
Alba Sanchez <asanchez@mylac.org>
Alba Sanchez| Family Wellness Center Manager
4938 Central Avenue Suite 101 | Charlotte, NC 28205
Canopy Housing Foundation - 10th Annual Strides for Shelter 5k plus criteria and details for 2026 Humanitarian Awards nominations.
The Canopy Housing Foundation is the charitable arm of one of, if not, the largest
Realtor® association in the Charlotte region and the state of North Carolina. In a nutshell, the Foundation coordinates annual events and initiatives throughout the year giving our Realtors® opportunities to give back to the community via grant funding, awards, and volunteer work. Again, my focus for this discussion will be on the initiatives featured on the attached flyers (we are providing a discount on registration for participants of your October 8 meeting, if they are interested in joining us for the Strides race on October 17).
Kim Oliver, MPADirector of Community Engagement| Canopy Housing Foundation1120 Pearl Park Way, Suite 200 | Charlotte, NC 28204704-940-3142
Help Plant Trees Saturday October 17
Help advance tree equity and preserve God's creation in environmentally disadvantaged neighborhoods in Charlotte! The National Religious Partnership for the Environment, supported by American Forests, is working to promote tree equity in the greater Charlotte area by planting native trees on faith community grounds — and we need your help!
On Saturday, October 17, we will be planting over 150 trees on the Barber-Scotia College campus and are looking for volunteers to sign up for one of two shifts: 8am-10:30am and 10:30am-1pm. Volunteers are welcome to stay for both shifts if desired!
Champions of Change: Holiday Giving & Community Housing Needs
Olivia West oliviawest@gmail.com
Champions of Change is preparing for two of our signature holiday initiatives: Feed a Family for Thanksgiving, which provided Thanksgiving meals to 209 families last year, and Hotels for the Holidays, which transforms hotel rooms into magical Christmas experiences for families experiencing homelessness for 3 days and 2 nights. We are seeking financial sponsors, donations, and community partners to help make these initiatives possible. Additionally, we have an urgent need for safe, temporary housing for local college students who have aged out of foster care and have nowhere to go when their dormitories close for approximately four weeks during Christmas break. We welcome connections to congregations, property owners, businesses, or individuals who may have vacant apartments, furnished accommodations, or other available housing options while we work toward securing permanent program space. To learn more, partner, or support these efforts, please visit www.championsofchangeusa.org or email olivia@championsofchangeusa.org. Together, little deeds can make a HUGE impact!
RTD: Faith & Wellness
Contact Info: 980-239-9596 | info@lightupandstaylit.com
Pastor Joseph Graham Jr.
Road to Damascus Christian Church: A Faith & Wellness Ministry
Matthews Help Center
I am AuroraPalmer, Director of Programs & Services @ the Matthews Help Center.
Our mission is to provide short-term financial crisis assistance (rent, utilities and daycare) to our neighbors in the Greater Matthews community. We serve people living in six zip codes in and around Matthews; 28104, 28105, 28211, 28226, 28270, and 28079.
We also offer non-financial assistance. Anyone needing food or clothing assistance should visit our site at Client Inquiry Form - Matthews Help Center It’s a very simple process to apply for food and clothing assistance.
I'd be happy to answer your
questions. You can reach me at 704-847-8383 or Aurora@MatthewsHelpCenter.org
QCFT We Well
April Turner AprilCTurner@gmail.com
We Well: The Art of Health
Oct. 17, 2026 at The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary
1-7:00pm FREE with Registration We Well Eventbrite Link
Presented by QCFamilyTree and Here for Good Business
Giving Heart Project
Glennis Davis
Founder and Executive Director
A Giving Heart Project, Inc.
Wills for Warriors Estate Planning Event
We are excited to announce the 9th annual Wills for Warriors Estate Planning Event in partnership with McGuireWoods and Wells Fargo.
Please share the attached flyer with any Veterans or organizations that work with veterans. The details of the clinic are listed below.
Event Details:
Date - Friday 11/6/2026
Time - Appointments from 9am to 3pm
Location - Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, 5535 Albemarle Rd, NC 28212
Registration - in order to secure an appointment on the day of the clinic, applicants must submit a completed intake packet to CCLA by mail or by email (vlsu@charlottelegladvocacy.org). Packets can be submitted directly from veterans or from their caseworkers assisting them. The deadline to submit Intake Packets is 10/23/2026; please note: space is limited and participants will be accepted on a first come first served basis
Who is eligible -
Veterans and their spouses who reside in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. While there is no maximum income limit for participants, applicants must understand that this event is specifically for assistance in preparation of advanced directives and a simple will. Therefore, we will not be able to assist applicants with substantial assets, or assets whose value may be best protected through documents or processes more complex than a simple will.
What to expect -
Each qualifying veteran or veteran's spouse will submit intake packets directly to CCLA via email, mail, or hand delivery to our office. Our legal staff will review the documents for completeness and assign a volunteer attorney to prepare the estate planning documents. Event participants will receive confirmation of their appointment time for the date of the event. Upon arrival for the event, each volunteer attorney will use the information from the intake packets to prepare their participant’s simple will and advanced directives on site. Documents will be printed and volunteer notaries public will assist in executing documents. All documents and information on what to do with the documents will be provided to participants at the close of their appointment.
If you or applicants you speak with have any questions about the event or the intake documents, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. I've attached the two documents that the clients need to fill out and send back to secure their spot!
Thank you!
Janis Renzi, NCCP (she/her/hers)
Paralegal Advocate, Veterans Legal Services ProjectCharlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Mailing address: PO Box 25558, Charlotte, NC 28229
Physical address: 5535 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 28212
phone 980-202-4016fax 704 376 8627
Healthy Meck
Healthy Meck wants to make sure that the broader community is aware of the challenges coming due to the changes in SNAP - both to recipients as well as the broader community because of funding cuts to the county. Here are three community information briefs: https://healthy-meck.circle.so/c/resource-exchange-english/understanding-snap-changes-in-north-carolina
National Faith & Blue Weekend
Please join us the weekend of Oct 9 – 11.
It’s that time of year! For the last four years, MCSO’s Community Engagement and Chaplain Services has partnered with National Faith & Blue to bring communities together.
This year is no different. You and your congregation are invited to join us for a special community gathering. We are once again partnering with local law enforcement and community members for National Faith & Blue Weekend.
This weekend is a dedicated time for resolution and reconciliation. Together, we want to build strong bridges and break down biases. Your faith leadership plays a vital role in bringing our community closer.
Reserve the date and time …… .We are strongly encouraging all faith organizations to join us for our special Prayer Vigil on Sunday 10/11 to close out the weekend event. Your presence and leadership at this closing vigil will be powerful symbols of unity and hope for our community.
RESOURCES FOR NONPROFITS
GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
LOCAL
Oct. 21: Plan a Beautification Grant Project
Keep Charlotte Beautiful awards up to $8,000 for projects focused on litter prevention, waste reduction and recycling, beautification or community greening. Neighborhoods, businesses, nonprofits, schools and individuals citywide can apply. Join the virtual workshop at 6 p.m. to learn about eligible projects and the application process. Letters of Intent are due Nov. 4. Register for the Beautification Grant Workshop.
Oct. 28: Care for Your Neighborhood’s Tree Canopy
Keep Charlotte Beautiful and Landscape Management offer matching Tree Care Grants of up to $3,000 for neighborhood associations citywide. Eligible projects include invasive species removal, Bradford pear removal, canopy assessments, bark scale treatment, pruning, mulching and tree-related community events. Join the virtual workshop at 6 p.m. Applications are due Jan. 6. Register for the Tree Care Grant Workshop.
Now Open: $500 to $3,000 for Neighborhood Projects
Applications are now open for the Community Microgrant, which supports short-term, resident-led projects that bring neighbors together, improve well-being or address neighborhood needs. Eligible neighborhood organizations, including HOAs and resident-led groups in rental communities, can request $500 to $3,000 with no matching contribution required.
Applications are reviewed as received through March 15, 2027, or until funds run out. Before applying, watch the required pre-application workshop recording. Submit applications through the HNS grant portal.
Here is the direct link to the grant opportunity, which also includes a link to the Application Tool Kit and the recording for the information session:https://fftcgrants.communityforce.com/Funds/FundDetails.aspx?496F49596D593768464E3537506B6F754D5442315A38647164526E64457874436B746867736B4F64647834416C527365646F56616C3774484E73737763613346466A4E446D756A4E387A383D
PRAYER FOR LEADERS
Enough of us see that we have a world to remake. We want to meet what is hard and hurting. We want to rise to what is beautiful and life-giving. We want to do that where we live, and we want to do it walking alongside others.
Krista Tippett
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