CCT Blog
Center for Community Transitions - Charlotte NC
Families Doing Time kids head to Dan Nichols Park for gems, animals and fun
Mining for gems, riding the carousel, hanging out with donkeys and filling their bellies with pizza – it was an action-packed day at Dan Nichols Park on Nov. 2 for about 20 Families Doing Time children. The outing was part FDT’s Enrichment Institute, which offers cultural enrichment field trips for families of incarcerated individuals. “When…
Myra Clark talks Second Chances on BofA’s Neighborhood Builders panel
Nearly 2.3 million people are held in America’s prisons and jails, the highest incarceration rate in the world. Over 10,000 people are released from state and federal prisons each week (more than 650,000 annually). Executive Director Myra Clark was invited to participate in a moderated panel this week focused on the “imperative of providing opportunities…
CCT heads to state capital for Second Chance Lobby Day
Center for Community Transitions staff and supporters joined 1,000-plus members of the NC Second Chance Alliance at the 2019 Second Chance Lobby Day May 7 at the NC General Assembly. The statewide alliance is made up of people with criminal records, their family members, service providers, congregations, community leaders and concerned citizens who have come together to address the causes of…
Spring Fling honors dedicated volunteers
We celebrated our dedicated volunteers May 14 at our annual Spring Fling volunteer appreciation event. Trish Morrison, Audrée Gilbert, Bethany Mason and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church ELCA received the Making the Difference award for their loyal dedication and unwavering commitment. We thank them – and all of our volunteers – for their outstanding contributions toward…
Partner Spotlight: Mecklenburg County ABC Board
CCT would not be successful in providing reentry 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…
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…
Finding Home: People with records still face housing challenges
Nearly one in three Americans have a criminal record and having a conviction can make it challenging to find housing. Many CCT clients can afford to pay rent, but they’re rejected by landlords because of their background.WFAE is taking a year-long look at Charlotte’s affordable housing problem through the series, Finding Home. Hear and read what Executive…
Let’s Give NC A Second Chance
From the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy For people with a criminal record, second chances are hard to come by. But the NC General Assembly can change that narrative for more than 2 million North Carolinians living with criminal records. The NC Senate unanimously passed The Second Chance Act (Senate Bill 562) earlier this month. The bipartisan legislation,…
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 raised more than $32,000, which will directly fund CCT programs and services like LifeWorks!, Families Doing Time and the Center for Women. More than 160 guests…