Crossroads began in 2001 when Charlotte was one of 40 communities that participated in a survey that revealed that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community has high levels of faith-based involvement and philanthropy, but, out of 40 communities, Charlotte ranked next to last in levels of social and interracial trust. In response to this data, Foundation For The Carolinas convened a diverse group of about 20 community leaders in 2004 to grapple with the root causes of distrust, especially between people of different races and ethnicities.

This group determined that trust in the community is a direct outcome of how residents find that institutions, systems and resources are inaccessible to them or accessible, exclusive or inclusive, equitable or unjust. The idea of using stories that paint pictures of what kind of community residents will have in the future emerged as a way to discuss these issues and to ask the community to respond.

Remember, the future is crafted by our own choices--what can YOU do? If you'd like to get involved with Crossroads Charlotte, there are opportunities for your organization, your neighborhood, your congregation, social club or just a group of interested friends to IMAGINE your tomorrow and ACT today.

If you're a volunteer or involved with an organization in the community that would like to create a small-scale project to build trust in the community, apply for a Front Porch grant from the Foundation For The Carolinas. These grants are made for up to $2,500 and can be used for a variety of initiatives in the community that directly build social capital. Go to www.fftc.org for more information.

If your employer is a Crossroads Charlotte organization, find out how you can support your organization's initiative by Contacting Us--we will provide the name of your organization's Crossroads Charlotte sponsor to you. To see if your organization is a Crossroads Charlotte organization, click HERE.

Crossroads Charlotte is funded by Foundation For The Carolinas and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Crossroads Charlotte is managed by the Community Building Initiative.

No. There are no grand plans or visions, and Crossroads isn't about providing answers – it's about creating a way for people to respond to possible futures in their own way, whether personally, in their neighborhoods, or within their organizations.

All four stories are based on real data and any of them, or a combination of them, could become reality. No one story is being touted as better than another, although some depict more positive futures than others. People and organizations are being asked what THEY can do to exert their influence and steer away from what they see as the negative stories and towards the positive ones.

Imagine if you could look into a crystal ball and see possible futures for yourself and your family, each one different, and each one affected by CHOICES that YOU make. You probably would make choices that make it more likely that you would end up in a positive future, while avoiding negative ones. Crossroads Charlotte is based on just this kind of choice: since 2005, organizations, institutions and people across the community have been taking a look at possible futures and CHOOSING to take action to steer the community towards a positive future.

Crossroads Charlotte is a project that asks organizations and people to respond to four possible futures about the community's future. There are four stories: Fortress Charlotte, Class Act, Beat Goes On and Eye to Eye. All four stories (in English and Spanish) and background on Crossroads Charlotte can be found at www.crossroadscharlotte.org. The goal of Crossroads Charlotte is to CHOOSE a future for Charlotte, not just arrive in one. With an emphasis on creating a community that is accessible to all, inclusive and equitable, the goal of Crossroads Charlotte is to build a trusting, vibrant and sustainable home.

People and organizations are working to steer Charlotte-Mecklenburg towards a positive future in two phases of work with Crossroads Charlotte. Phase I, started in 2005, has focused on organizations such as corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies and faith groups. Phase II, started in 2006, focuses on individuals, community groups and organizations. Since 2005:

Over 10,000 cumulative volunteer-participant hours have been given

Over 3,500 individuals have participated in Crossroads sessions

220 sessions with organizational teams have taken place

Over 1,800+ people have participated in over 30 public forums for initial community outreach and engagement, including teens and college-age students

To date, 33 organizations have chosen to develop Crossroads Charlotte Initiatives that will collectively help steer the community towards a positive future. Individuals and community-based groups are also responding.

To find out more specifics on the impact of Crossroads Charlotte, click here.

If you need information you cannot find on this website, please contact Patricia Zoder, Executive Director at pzoder@fftc.org or call 704-973-4567.

Arts & Science Council

Asian Chamber of Commerce

Bank of America

Carolinas Healthcare System

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte Center City Partners

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Post

City of Charlotte

Community Relations Committee

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Duke Power/Energy

First Presbyterian Church

Foundation For The Carolinas

Johnson C. Smith University

Johnson & Wales University

Latin American Coalition

Levine Museum of the New South

Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County Bar

Mecklenburg Ministries

Microsoft

Piedmont Natural Gas

Presbyterian Hospital/Novant

Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg

The Park Ministries

United Way of Central Carolinas

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Urban League of Central Carolinas

Wachovia Corporation

WTVI

YMCA

YWCA