Stories

“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. 

“It takes a village to raise a child” - African Proverb

We’re all familiar with the saying. Even if you didn’t know its origins, you’ve likely heard it said. The proverb is based on the premise that the responsibility of caring for a child extends beyond parents to the community in which they live.  

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.  

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. 

Alzheimer’s is a disease that not only impacts the individual who is diagnosed, but those who care for them as well. Caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s disease may end up feeling isolated or overwhelmed by the challenges they face. With North Carolinians providing an estimated 517 million hours of unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s—a contribution valued at $7.3 billion—caregivers feelings this way are most definitely not alone.