From LeDayne McLeese Polaski
Executive Director, Meck Min
September 1, 2020
It's been a long time since we've shared one of these resource packs, so there's a LOT here -- we've tried to organize it so you can quickly find what's useful for you or your congregants.
Topics:
There's a great resource attached from Novant Health with lots of faith-community specific information on reopening safely when you've decided to do so.
Shanti, Shalom, Salaam, Peace,
LeDayne
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES DOING REMOTE EDUCATION
If you're still looking for a safe place for your kids to complete virtual learning and socialize, there are a few organizations here to help.
· The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte has a Remote Learning Support Camp daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To participate, fill-out an application and return it to one of the four Charlotte-area club locations. Club membership is $5.
· YMCA branches around Charlotte are offering a variety of Back to School programs (they're hiring, too). Most locations do have a waitlist. Cost varies.
· The Children’s Theater of Charlotte is holding daily and weekly mini-camps from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with themes like Under the Sea and Passport to the Jungle. Mini-camps are $70/day or $280/week.
· The Discovery Place is holding Weekly Camps from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $250/week for members. $300/week for non-members.
· NCDHHS has a hotline (888-600-1685) to assist in finding childcare options for kids 0-12.
A child care hotline is available to help families with school-age children find care [web]. The hotline (888.600.1685) will connect parents to licensed childcare facilities for kids 0-12 years old. As of August 10, the governor's office reported about 30,000 open childcare slots. "We need to do everything we can to support working parents as we work to beat this virus,” said Governor Roy Cooper.
everyoneon.org - Helps families identify low cost internet options nearby
RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS
Every week the county shares a great list of job openings. To get on the list contact:
Rupp, Jennifer <Jennifer.Rupp@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Our Job Resource Centers in Charlotte and Gastonia are Open for Computer Access by Appointment
We know that not everyone has access to technology to search for and apply to jobs. That's why we've opened our Job Resource Centers at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in Charlotte, and our Gastonia Job Connection, located at 116 Armstrong Street in Gastonia. Job seekers can now safely access our computers and start or continue their job search. People must make an appointment in order to utilize the computers at our Job Resource Centers. To make an appointment in Gastonia, call 704-916-1610. To make an appointment in Charlotte, click the button below.
If you’re looking for a different service – like getting help with your resume, receiving job seeker support, or enrolling in one of our online classes – you can still do so virtually! To get started with our virtual services, email VirtualCareerResources@goodwillsp.org or make a virtual appointment by clicking the button below.
RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
Mecklenburg County Offers Free COVID-19 Home Disinfecting Service for Seniors
Mecklenburg County’s Department of Social Services (DSS) has partnered with Bio-One to offer a free one-time COVID-19 professional disinfecting service to residents who are 60 years of age or older. Bio-One will apply a CDC/EPA-approved chemical to all surfaces, doorknobs, handles, light switches and high traffic areas of the home. The chemical is safe for pets and children.
Participants must be a resident of Mecklenburg County, 60 years of age or older, and able to leave their home for approximately three hours while services are rendered For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 980-314-6800 or email SFA-Events@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. Appointment slots are limited. Services will be provided until funds are exhausted.
While there is no cleaning method that guarantees total elimination of the virus, Bio-One’s cleaning protocol can help reduce the spread and threat of coronavirus.
YMCA - To help bridge the digital divide in Charlotte the Stratford Richardson YMCA will be hosting a 7-week online computer class for seniors.
Southminster has received $250,000 from Mecklenburg County Relief Fund to assist local seniors who have been impacted by COVID-19. Leadership at the South Charlotte charitable life plan community will collaborate with a minimum of 10 community partners to fund solutions that address mental health support to seniors and caregivers, training for professionals to enhance social engagement, and technology support to help seniors gain access to information and services.
The Southminster website has more information and the simple application.
https://www.southminster.org/covid-19-relief-fund-for-seniors-in-charlotte/
Please reach out to me with questions. 980-771-9384 or reply to this email.
Resources to support the census
Millions of North Carolinians have not yet completed a census form. An undercount could cost our state BILLIONS of dollars, putting much-needed resources at risk. Please share the word about the importance of completing the census. This brief video would be great to share with your networks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1TmWtF3qgE&feature=youtu.be
More than 40% of NC households still haven’t responded to the 2020 Census. That much of an undercount could cost our state billions of dollars in federal funding for public schools, childcare, health care, affordable housing, food assistance and many other programs, and a 14th seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade. With the announcement that the 2020 Census self-response period will close early on September 30, it’s important for every North Carolinian to respond and be counted ASAP. Check out the nonprofit toolkit from the NC Counts Coalition to get-out-the-count in your community.
COVID ASSISTANCE
$8M for COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance
Charlotte City Council recently approved $8 million additional dollars of CARE’s Act Funding that will allow for expansion of the existing Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program (RAMP CLT). The expanded program will continue funding qualifying mortgage and rent payments. The $8 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding is now available for mortgage and rental assistance, in addition to the $2.2 million previously made available. The Housing Partnership will execute the program, in partnership with Socialserve.
Since April, 1,529 households have received $1.4 million in mortgage, rent, hotel, and utilities and upfront housing assistance due to COVID-19. This initial funding was limited to those living in City-supported properties, eligible to households earning 80 percent or below the Area Median Income (AMI), or $63,200 for a family of four, and facing a COVID-19 hardship including job loss, wage reduction, illness, or childcare challenges. With the infusion of CARES Act funding, the RAMP CLT program has expanded. Individuals who earn 80 percent or below the AMI who face a COVID-19 hardship and cannot make housing payments can apply for rent or mortgage assistance.
Those who are applying for mortgage assistance must have been current on their mortgage payments prior to April 2020. For rent assistance, payments are made directly to landlords and property managers, so in order to receive funding, landlords and property managers must register as part of the program. Financial assistance is also available for long-term hotel guests (30 days or longer) who are experiencing a financial hardship and cannot pay the hotel bill due to COVID-19.
A program representative will work one-on-one with all applicants to determine their eligibility for each of these programs. More information on these programs and applications for property managers, hotel managers, tenants and those seeking mortgage and rent relief are available at rampclt.com. Rampclt.com also provides information and resources for those facing evictions.
COVID-19 Food Access
Thanks to the Federal “Farm to Family Food Box” program, Loaves & Fishes is distributing boxes of excess fresh produce and dairy at a series of pop up food shares this summer in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Free fresh produce and dairy are available while supplies last, and registration is required. For a list of upcoming food shares and to register, click here.
Free food for those in need is also available at the following locations:
1. First Baptist Church West offers free grab and go lunch Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please pick up a meal for yourself / neighbor, meals are delivered to your car. Please know your total number of meals that are needed when you arrive at the church.
2. Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church (727 W. Trade Street) give out boxes of food every Wednesday and Thursday 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The boxes include chicken, lunch meat, and canned goods.
COVID-19 Family Support
Family Partners works with families who are navigating the education, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems. They help parents prepare for meetings with schools, service providers, and child & family teams. Additionally, they educate parents/caregivers to achieve successful outcomes including improving youth's ability to function at home, in school, and in their community. For more information and support, contact Barbara Baker at 980-406-1258 or Amy Dickey at 704-281-0493.
North Carolina Election Deadlines Cheat Sheet
October 9th: Deadline to register to vote in order to participate in the November Election
October 15th: Early In-Person Voting begins for Mecklenburg County
October 27th: Last day to request an absentee ballot
October 30th: Last day of Early In-Person Voting for Mecklenburg County
November 2nd: Last day to get your absentee ballot in the mail
November 3rd: ELECTION DAY! If you didn't vote absentee or early in-person, hit the polls today!
November 3rd is Coming.
Here's What You Need to Do Today to be Prepared.
Even before the coronavirus took root in the United States, the 2020 Presidential Election cycle promised to be one of the most tumultuous and important of our lifetime. Now, with American public health concerns at a record high, our very understanding of what it means to participate in an election is evolving. In order to avoid polling places becoming COVID-19 hot spots and to ensure that all citizens have the ability to make their voice heard without risking their health and safety, many organizers and elected officials are urging voters to cast their vote via mail in, or absentee, ballot.
What Does it Mean to Vote by Mail?
Voting by mail means that instead of voting in person at your local polling place on Election Day, you will be sent a ballot in the mail, which you will fill out and return to your local Board of Elections prior to Election Day.
Cool, I'm all in! How Do I Get a Ballot?
In North Carolina, you must complete an Absentee Ballot Request Form in order to receive an absentee ballot. Once completed in its entirety, the form can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to your County Board of Elections any time before Tuesday, October 27th. Due to the expected volume of absentee ballot requests this year, we recommend completing and returning this form ASAP. Better yet, go ahead and do it right now!
***If you need a physical copy of the Absentee Ballot Request Form, you can pick one up from us at International House, 1817 Central Avenue #215, Charlotte, NC***
When Will I Receive my Ballot, and When Do I Need to Return it?
You can check the status of your absentee ballot request here.
Once your request has been received and accepted, you can expect your absentee ballot to arrive anywhere from 40 to 20 days before the election.
To ensure that your ballot is received in time and that your vote is counted, place your completed absentee ballot in the mail by October 20th.
(In North Carolina, absentee ballots will still be counted as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day; we just want you to be super careful and confident!)
Alternatively, in NC, you can hand deliver your ballot to your County Board of Elections by 5pm on Election Day (November 3rd).
What if I Still Want to Vote in Person?
That's great! We encourage you to participate in One-Stop Early Voting and wear a mask. If you decide to vote early in person, you will most likely not be voting at your assigned polling place. Early Voting locations for NC will be released soon; when they are, you can find one close to you here. In Mecklenburg County, Early In Person Voting will be taking place October 15-31st.
Is That Everything?
Almost! You won't be able to vote at all (in person, absentee, etc.) if you aren't registered! If you have a North Carolina drivers' license or other DMV-issued ID, you can now register to vote online here. You can also find the physical voter registration form here. If you aren't sure where you stand, you can check your voter registration status here.
The deadline to register to vote and still participate in the November Election is October 9th, 2020.
For more information about voting by mail and the steps you can take to help others safely vote this Fall, click here.
If you live in Mecklenburg County, you can find all of the juicy voting details you could ever need here.
Interfaith virtual choir
Several of our member congregations participated last year in an interfaith choir concert hosted by the Charlotte South Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year, they are pulling together a virtual piece, and all singers are invited to participate. Singers will record and video themselves singing their part and a sound engineer will take each submission and combine it into one piece. Visit the site below to RSVP and to get further information.
https://2020cltinterfaithvirtualchoir.weebly.com
Children/Youth Virtual Choir:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1bp6Eb-jGfH4U7KhW0ETxFPEch4iTs9j-