Madison Park

Thousands of Charlotte children need a trusted mentor.
Here's how you can help close the mentoring gap.

Did you know that one of three young people don't have a mentor?

That means there are thousands of local children who feel isolated from meaningful connections with adults outside their homes. This year, you have the opportunity to help change that by being someone a young person in Charlotte can turn to for help.

Here's how you can help us close the mentoring gap:

• Sign up to be a mentor by connecting to a local mentoring agency though the Mayor's Mentoring Alliance program.
• See for yourself why it's so rewarding to be a mentor by attending the Mentoring Alliance Awards on Friday, Jan. 29.

According to a recent national report called the Mentoring Effect, young people who were at risk for not completing high school, but had a mentor, had the tools to avoid pitfalls like skipping school, drinking and illegal drugs. They were 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college, more than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team and 78 percent more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities than those who did not have a mentor.

This month, let's commit to not leaving these powerful relationships to chance. Every young person should have someone to talk to.

For more information about the Mentoring Alliance Awards or mentoring in Charlotte, please visit mayorsmentoringalliance.org.

Bridging the digital divide in Charlotte neighborhoods

Last year, Neighborhood & Business Services (NBS) and our community partners worked together to help bridge the digital divide in Charlotte neighborhoods. This month, we're asking you to join us as we continue to work towards providing digital and media literacy to everyone in Charlotte.

Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Attend the January 23 #DigitalCharlotte Community Impact Meeting. At this event, you will be able to learn more about DigitalCharlotte and have an opportunity to engage with community partners that offer access, devices, and training/educational resources that empower Charlotte communities. There will also be a special "GigWOW" experience where you can see firsthand what you'll be able to do with faster internet in Charlotte. Click here to RSVP.
  
  
• Help map local free Wi-Fi locations. Although many people have internet service at home, not everyone does. To make finding an open Wi-Fi hotspot in Charlotte easier, we need your help creating a community-supported Wi-Fi map. As you find free and open Wi-Fi networks in Charlotte, take a few minutes to share the location and details here.
  
  
• Learn how to understand Internet options for you and your neighbors. On Jan. 30, the Knight School of Communication will help Charlotte residents find the best internet options for their price range and learn why it’s important to have internet at home. Register for the class here.

For more information about digital literacy in Charlotte and the DigitalCharlotte initiative, visit digitalcharlotte.org.

NBS' Fast Five: What's going on in local neighborhoods and businesses

• Don't miss these upcoming neighborhood and business grant deadlines
• Could your neighborhood benefit from a $25,000 neighborhood improvement grant? Do you know a business that could use grant funding to help improve their building's appearance? NBS' Facade Improvement Grant and Neighborhood Matching Grants programs are accepting applications. But don't wait to apply, the applications are due Monday, Feb. 15.
  
  
• We're Moving: Southwest Code Enforcement Office scheduled to relocate on Feb. 8
• NBS' Southwest Code Enforcement office is moving to a new location, effective Feb. 8. If you need to set up an appointment with a code enforcement inspector, please call 704-432-2438. 
  
  
• Planning a community or business meeting?
• Visit the Need a Speaker portal to have a City of Charlotte or Mecklenburg County speaker discuss City and County programs and services at your next meeting.
  
  
• Home repair applications for Realtors Care Day are now being accepted
• This spring, more than 500 local realtors will help improve 25-30 homes of families in need. Low-income, elderly or disabled homeowners interested in applying for assistance must submit an application no later than Friday, Feb. 19. Contact your Community Engagement Service Area liaison or click the link above for more information. 
  
  
• Learn more. Take action. Plan for the future.
• Start the year off right. Learn more about your neighborhood, connect to resources and plan for the future.

Code Enforcement Tip of the Month

Planning on selling merchandise on a public street or sidewalk?
You'll need a zoning use permit for that.

Off-premise retail sales that require a zoning use permit can be obtained at 2145 Suttle Avenue. 

Visit codeenforcement.charmeck.org for more information.