Madison Park

Please share the following information about an upcoming City event with your contacts.  For more information or to register, contact Renee Thompson at 704-336-2424 or rthompson@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Thanks,

Jean Love

Neighborhood & Business Services

600 East Trade Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

704-336-4161 (w)

704-336-3959 (f)

http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org

CAN WE TALK ABOUT MEETING

BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

7:00 PM

Little Rock AME Zion Church

401 North McDowell Street

Ruben Campillo Harvey Gantt Carol Hardison John McGillicuddy Rick Thames

Latin American Coalition Gantt‐Huberman Crisis Assistance Ministry Mecklenburg County Charlotte Observer

Moderators

Bob Morgan Willie Ratchford

Charlotte Chamber Community Relations

Like many communities across our country, Charlotte‐Mecklenburg is feeling firsthand the impact of the nationwide economic downturn. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is eliminating teacher positions; Mecklenburg County and local agencies are cutting services; long term employees are being laid off in both the public and private sector; banks ‐ the backbone of our economic sustainability ‐ are struggling; people are losing their homes. Needs are increasing, and there seems to be no end in sight.

On July 1st a new fiscal year begins for both government and many community organizations and agencies that provide services to those traditionally in need and potentially to a whole new group of individuals who will require assistance.

Where do we find hope in such difficult times? How do we work together to address these issues and raise awareness about the impact of the economic crisis on people and organizations in our community? How do we insure that current or new service delivery models will address the needs of the community?

Solutions might be contained in our responses to these questions:

1. How do we organize ourselves to be proactive & responsive?
2. Who do we look to?
3. What are we prepared to do? What can I do?

Beginning in 2008 our three organizations have invited the citizens of Charlotte‐Mecklenburg to engage people - both within their comfort zone and across difference - in conversation about "what's in the ground" in our community that creates mistrust; and to come together to raise awareness and build understanding when divisive or difficult situations arise.

Do you share our concern at this time? If so, we invite you to join us for a deliberative community dialogue: "Can We Talk About Meeting Basic Human Needs in Difficult Economic Times?"

To RSVP: E‐Mail rthompson@ci.charlotte.nc.us or Call 704.336.2424

If you are interested in receiving additional information about this dialogue, please contact Dianne English, Maria Hanlin or Willie Ratchford. Their contact information is listed below.

CHARLOTTE‐MECKLENBURG COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Chapin A. Ferguson, Chairman

Willie Ratchford, Executive Director

COMMUNITY BUILDING INITIATIVE

Claude Alexander, Leadership Team Co‐Chair

Deb Hanna, Leadership Team Co‐Chair

Dianne English, Executive Director

MECKLENBURG MINISTRIES

Russ Dean, Board Chairperson

Maria Hanlin, Executive Director