The Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend is proud to announce the following as our designated charities. Each of these beneficiaries contributes a vital function in the Charlotte community. Together, they nurture the “whole child” (body, mind, and spirit) by focusing on such issues as education, child abuse & neglect, homelessness, and hunger. Thank you for helping us to create a brighter future for our children.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte – Professional Theatre for Youth Audiences (including at-risk outreach)
Funds would be used for production expenses for the 12 productions Children’s Theatre seeks to produce, including outreach programs. Children’s Theatre serves over 250,000 children/320,000 annually providing drama education and exceptional quality theatre. It provides the only theatre exposure and education for the overwhelming majority of children in our community. Ticket sales cover only 55% of production costs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System is cutting funding for arts and theatre education from its budget. In addition, current sources of funding, like the Arts & Sciences Council, also face budget restraints. With your help, the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte will continue to serve lower income communities and the public schools at its current level.
Council for Children’s Rights – Services for Abused and Neglected Children
Funds would be used for salaries for four (4) children’s advocates (including three attorneys) in the Abuse & Neglect Services Program. The grant would cover 1/3 of a salary per advocate. Each advocate serves 75 children per year. Services include finding appropriate home placements, securing necessary medical and mental health treatment, developing individual educational plans, and securing future plans for children that turn 18. The Council for Children’s Rights anticipates a greater need for funding due to United Way budget cuts. With your help, the Council will continue to serve as advocates for our children with no gap in care.
Johnson & Wales – Scholarships & Career Development for Low-Income Youth
Funds would be used for 15 scholarships of $2,500 each per year for the two-year program at the culinary school for 15 Mecklenburg County low-income high school seniors. Scholarships would be based on financial need, academic achievement and volunteer participation. Over 20% of students currently enrolled in Johnson & Wales are from Mecklenburg County, and 85% of all students are on financial aid. Johnson & Wales most recent study shows that 60% of its graduates stay or intend to stay in the Charlotte area. With your help, Johnson & Wales Culinary School will continue to provide a brighter future to Charlotte’s low-income youth.
Second Harvest – Backpack Project for Underpriveleged Kids
Funds would be used to distribute nutritious food on the weekends during the school year through backpacks to 175 Charlotte-Mecklenburg School students receiving the “free lunch” qualification. Backpacks would be loaded on Friday afternoons with a predetermined combination of quality foods. Then, children would bring back the empty backpacks to school on Monday. Overall demand for food at Second Harvest has increased 450% over the last 12 months. Teachers report that backpack food is often the only food in the home for the child during the weekend. Teachers also are noticing a significant positive difference in behavior and attentiveness on Monday for children in the program. With your help, Second Harvest will reduce hunger for underprivileged school children.
W.I.S.H. Affordable House for Families – Homeless Children Focus
Funds would be used for one new social worker for three years to serve 18 families (approximately 36 children) through a three-year Affordable Housing & Steps-to-Empowerment-to-Independence Model developed by WISH. WISH collaborates with numerous public and private agencies to put homeless families into affordable housing and provides them with services and training to enable them to become self-sustaining within three years. The new social worker will enable WISH to access other funding already secured – federal housing funds, landlord reduced rents, Goodwill cars, furnishings, and child care for each family. WISH currently serves 50 families and seeks these funds to increase its program to 100 families. From there, WISH will offer this program as a national pilot! With your help, WISH will reduce homelessness for children and families in the Charlotte community.
