Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities

Social Media Workshop for Neighborhoods | Thursday, June 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Using social media can be an effective way for neighbors to organize and connect with each other. This workshop is your opportunity to learn how neighborhoods can benefit from using social media, and the best way to use various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Nextdoor. The session will also include tips on creating shareable newsletters.

The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

This workshop will take place via Zoom. Registration is required. Online and call-in access instructions will be emailed to registered participants prior to the workshop.

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Neighborhood Matching Grant Pre-Application Workshop | May 20, 12 to 1 p.m. 

Hundreds of Charlotte’s neighborhood organizations have received funding through the Neighborhood Matching Grants Program (NMG). Yours could be next!

The NMG program awards up to $25,000 to eligible neighborhood-based organizations to complete projects including art, beautification, signage, festivals, sustainability, safety improvements, community gardens, recreational features and more! Applications are accepted March 1, June 1, and September 1, annually. Organizations match funds received with at least 50% volunteer engagement activities, the remaining match may be in the form of more volunteer activities, cash, or in-kind donations (equipment, supplies, professional services, etc.). Participation in a pre-application workshop is required. 

To participate, please register. The workshop will take place via Zoom. Online and call-in access instructions will be emailed to registered participants prior to the workshop. 

Please contact Jackie Clare at jackie.clare@charlottenc.gov or 704-336-4594 if you have any questions or need assistance.

Yard Waste Collection Delay

Due to nationwide staffing shortages, yard waste collection is operating on a delayed schedule. Residents are asked to place their yard waste items at the curb until collected.

For convenience, residents also have the option of disposing of containerized yard waste by taking the items in paper bags or reusable containers to one of the four Mecklenburg County full-service recycling centers. Mecklenburg County may charge fees when disposing at the full-service centers. 

Solid Waste will host open interviews on May 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1105 Otts Street in an effort to fill vacancies.

CATS Hosts Public Meetings for Service Changes

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will host a series of virtual, pop-up and in-person public meetings in compliance with Title VI Equity Analysis for service changes that occurred during COVID-19, in addition to other proposed changes. These meetings will be open to the public to allow community members to provide feedback.

In-person and pop-up meetings: 

• Tuesday, May 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC) Pop-Up meeting
• Tuesday, May 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. Rosa Parks Transit Center Pop-Up meeting
• Wednesday, May 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Matthews Town Hall
• Tuesday, May 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. South Park Transit Center Pop-Up meeting

Live virtual public meetings can be viewed via CATS YouTube: 

• Wednesday, May 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, May 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The same information will be presented at each live virtual public meeting followed by a Q&A session.

If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact CATS Customer Service at 704-336-RIDE (7433) at least two business days prior to the meeting date.

Solid Waste Services is Hiring!

City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services will hold open interviews for Class A or B CDL drivers with at least one-year of driving experience. Interviews will be held at Solid Waste Services’ offices, 1105 Otts Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 24, June 21,  and July 12. Pay starts at $20.49 per hour.

 Applicants will be interviewed on-site and participate in an agility exercise. Dress comfortably and wear closed-toe shoes. Expect to spend up to three hours at the location.

Interested applicants should apply online or call 704.336.7096. 

Charlotte- Mecklenburg Police Department Middle & High School Academy

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is looking for middle and high school students who are interested in participating in a one-week, hands-on course focused on the career of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Qualifications:

• Middle school applicants must be at least 10 years of age and completed the fifth grade.
• High school applicants must be at least 14 years of age and completed the eighth grade.
• No arrests
• No out-of-school suspensions in the last two years.
• Must maintain a “C” average or better (waivable).
• Must be willing to participate in all activities.

Topics to be covered: Team Building, Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Investigation, Defensive Tactics, Traffic Stops, Building Searches, Physical Fitness, Ethics, Future Career Options with CMPD and more

Dates:

• Middle School Academy: Monday, July 11 - Friday, July 15
• Latino Middle School Academy: Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 5
• High School Academy: Monday, July 25 - Friday, July 29
• Latino High School Academy: Monday, August 8 -  Friday, August 12

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Academy, 1770 Shopton Road, Charlotte, NC 28217

Learn more about CMPD Youth Academies. 
 

Keep Charlotte Beautiful is Hiring an Engagement and Education AmeriCorps Specialist 

Keep Charlotte Beautiful is currently looking for a talented individual to serve as its full-time Engagement and Education AmeriCorps Specialist for the 2022-23 service year! This position provides critical support to Keep Charlotte Beautiful through volunteer outreach, neighborhood engagement, and elementary school-focused environmental education. Members receive a living stipend of $19,859 and an additional education award of $6,495 upon completion of the 1700-hour term. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. This AmeriCorps position starts on September 1 and ends on July 31, 2023. Learn more about this great opportunity and apply online. 

Virtual "Career Cruise " Available for Teens and Young Adults  

Do you know a young person who may need assistance navigating their career journey? Youth ages 14 to 24 are invited to take a virtual "career cruise". The Youth Programs team at Housing & Neighborhood Services has partnered with Teen Services at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to host a career development series. Youth will have the opportunity to learn about resume writing, applying and interviewing for positions, and soft skills. 

Sessions include:

June 28, 4:30 p.m. - Resume Writing 

July 19, 4:30 p.m. - Interview Basics

August 2, 4:30 p.m. - Networking panel  

These sessions are free of charge and open to all youth in the community. Register online for the Virtual Career Cruise.

Register Your National Night Out Events by July 22

National Night Out (NNO) is America’s Night Out Against Crime. This annual community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

National Night Out 2022 will be observed on Tuesday, August 2. CMPD strives to have officer participation at each registered event. If your neighborhood or organization is hosting a NNO event, please complete this brief questionnaire to tell us of your plans by July 22.

Learn more about CMPD NNO resources and register your event.

Participatory Budgeting for Mecklenburg County 

Did you know Mecklenburg County has launched a Participatory Budgeting Pilot Program called PB Meck? PB Meck is a process that allows community members to determine how to best address the needs of their communities by turning ideas into actual project proposals, voting on which projects to fund, and Mecklenburg County providing the funding for winning projects. Mecklenburg County has allocated up to $500,000 per district to fund community-generated projects that would help improve quality of life. Starting on May 16, you can vote online on the top ideas in your district to be funded in the upcoming budget. 

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