“Volunteers are truly essential, especially for these children who benefit from a high level of attention, Pat Shaw, Director of La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool in Davidson, explained. “They (volunteers) speak English with the children - different accents, different backgrounds and different vocabularies. Plus, they share invaluable talents. These interactions are cultural experiences for everyone,” said Shaw. 

Written by Amy Andrews

Founded by clinicians Gwen Harris and Aisha Yesher-el, The FACTS Initiative provides mental health treatment to children and families in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

The FACTS Initiative is focused on providing access to quality care for all patients, many of whom are dealing with trauma, yet a great deal of their time was being spent navigating the medical billing process.  

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S experience mental illness each year. Many of their struggles can be traced to traumas suffered in childhood or adolescence. The FACTS Initiative offers interventions, tools, and techniques to get children and families on the path to wellness. 

Written by Amy Andrews

Each year, cardiovascular disease kills more citizens in North Carolina than cancer, AIDS, accidents, violence and alcohol abuse combined, and it accounts for one out of every four deaths in our area. 

The HeartBright Foundation was created to address this issue and help those, particularly in under-served and at-risk populations, who are dealing with heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. 

HeartBright’s free programming includes an expansive community outreach program that focuses on education, nutrition and fitness as well as a free clinic that provides treatment, access and support for patients. 

Written by Amy Andrews

Hadassah is an international women’s organization whose mission is to heal our world. Through programs, research and advocacy, Hadassah works every day to bring healing where it is needed most in the US, Israel and around the world. Everything that the Charlotte Hadassah chapter does is in support of this mission. 

At the heart of Hadassah is a focus on health and wellness. Hadassah has two hospitals in Israel that are global leaders in care, treatments and research whose work serves over a million women, men and children, regardless of religion, race or nationality. 

Locally, Hadassah champions a host of medical causes, most notably breast cancer, infertility and heart health. 

This month, our #SpotlightOnCLT is shining on our local nonprofit partners who serve and support individuals living with a chronic disease, as well as their families and caregivers, in various ways. 

Some of these organizations exist to provide information, financial relief, and raise awareness, while others were created to bring joy or provide emotional support to those with a chronic disease.  Though their programs and services vary in purpose, their importance in our community does not. They are all essential to our neighbors facing chronic diseases. 

So, what is a chronic disease? A disease is considered chronic if  it persists for at least one year and requires ongoing medical attention or monitoring. Some of the most common chronic diseases include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and alzheimers.