Newsletter – April 2019
Inspiration, entertainment & generosity make Build People, Not Prisons event huge success
Inspiring speeches, lively bidding wars, generous supporters and impromptu dancing highlighted our Build People, Not Prisons fundraiser on March 21 at Warehouse 242.
The 2nd annual spring event, which raised more than $32,000 that will go directly towards funding CCT programs and services like LifeWorks!, Families Doing Time and Center for Women.
More than 160 guests mixed and mingled, listened to live music by Crystal Fountains, enjoyed noshes and sipped local craft beers and kombucha cocktails before Emcee Francene Morris kicked off the program and made introductions.
“We help people by creating the conditions and environment for change to occur by building skills and providing information so they can make choices that are right for them,” said Myra Clark, executive director. “If we help people reach their highest potential, we won’t have a need for prisons.”
Thank you Special Appeal Donors!
Julius Peppers makes $10,000 donation to CCT
Julius Peppers presents Center for Community Transitions with a $10,000 check.
When the idea of hosting the Julius Peppers Charity Sneaker Ball came up, the retired Carolina Panther was excited to celebrate Charlotte and have the opportunity to raise money for local organizations doing amazing work in the community. One such organization is the Center for Community Transitions.
“I am someone whose family has been impacted by incarceration, as most of us have been, so I was excited to partner with them and their mission to support families who have had a loved one incarcerated and also assisting people to get them re-acclimated upon their release,” Peppers said April 5 at Bank of America Stadium.
Peppers presented $10,000 checks to CCT, Young Black Leadership Alliance and the Girl Talk Foundation. Charis Blackmon, Families Doing Time program director, accepted the check on behalf of CCT.
“We are elated to be here today and are extremely grateful to have the Sneaker Ball contribution in support of our work for individuals and families who are impacted by incarceration,” she said.
Read more and watch the videos!
Torrey Smith surprises Center for Women residents
Carolina Panthers’ Torrey Smith paid a surprise recently to our Center for Women residents. A Charlotte newcomer, Smith wanted to learn more about the program, which assists with actions plans for employment, family reunification and housing.
He spoke to residents about his own experience of being the child of an incarcerated parent and offered words of encouragement to the women whose children are having a hard time with their incarceration.
Torrey even had a phone visit with a resident’s son who’s been struggling at home. The son – a huge Panthers fan and a football player himself – was excited to get advice from the Super Bowl champ.
“Torrey’s visit meant so much to our residents and their families,” said Delilah Montalvo, program manager. “We appreciate his advocacy and commitment to making a positive difference in the Charlotte community.”
Hey DO GOODers, thanks for VolunBEERing!
SHARE Charlotte and hundreds of local nonprofits, like CCT, celebrated DO GOOD Week, April 5-13. Organizations rallied community members to come together to volunteer their time and talent by finding and choosing opportunities that were right for them. The week concluded with a pop-up hands-on volunteering event at NoDa Brewing Company. Thank you to the do-gooders who braved the rain to help us stuff 100 LifeWorks! graduation packets! If you couldn’t make the event, you can still donate your time and talents to one of our many volunteer opportunities – from data entry and letter writing, to being a reading buddy and serving on our celebration team.
Calling all CCT client Alumni: We want to hear from you!
Have you or a family member benefited from a CCT program and want to share your successful re-entry stories with others? We’d love to hear from you! Email Kristine Goodyear at [email protected].
Partner Spotlight
CCT would not be successful in providing re-entry and family services without financial support from organizations like the Mecklenburg County ABC Board. The board demonstrates its strong commitment to community by funding “innovative programs and services that lead to best practice interventions or strategies” that prevent or combat alcohol or substance abuse-related issues. The foundation partners with nonprofits “to address these challenges and find solutions that lead to improving the overall health and wellness of citizens.”
We are grateful for the $100,000 Community Health & Wellness grant we received for 2019 for our Strengthening Families and Seeking Safety programs. Through this funding, we’re improving the social and emotional skills of children of incarcerated parents to prepare them to make better future choices. The Seeking Safety program provides treatment services for trauma and substance use to help adult clients make more helpful choices.
Volunteer Opportunities
For a full list of ongoing volunteer opportunities visit our Volunteer Page.
Data Entry Skills Needed for Fundraising Efforts
Do you have data entry skills that you would be willing to donate for a few hours a week in support of CCT’s fundraising efforts? Please email our Development Director at [email protected] for more information about this volunteer opportunity. Thank you!