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Posted: October 27th, 2009 Liz Barrett

Whether performing a cross-cultural musical act together, digging in a community garden with neighbors you’ve never met, learning a language with other parents at your child’s school, or sharing a potluck meal with those of a different sexual orientation, the Front Porch Grant programs provide opportunities for people to overcome differences, build bridges and learn to understand and trust others through a wide range of informal events and projects.

Relaxed, personal gathering spaces, like the front porches of our community, inspired the creation of the Front Porch Grants program. Traditionally front porches are a place for neighbors to connect and build relationships, meet new folks and in turn work together to build a strong community. It’s all simply based on the idea of getting to know your neighbors; for when we get to know our neighbors, we understand them, we don’t stereotype them and the barriers that once were, are no longer.

Using the framework of Crossroads Charlotte, the Front Porch Grants program asks grantees to act now in a way that will create the future they want to see for our community. And this year we are happy to award 30 local organizations with grants of up to $2,500 for programs that will build a stronger community and create a better future for us all. Over the next seven months, these organizations will bring together unlike people to overcome differences, increase trust, and expand social connections and informal networks. Through the Front Porch grants program, these folks, with smaller-scale programs that might get overlooked by the bigger grant opportunities, are doing a lot with a little and creating a positive lasting impact in our community.

In its fifth year, the Front Porch Grants program, funded by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation announces their 2009-2010 grant recipients:

Centralina Council of Governments, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Steele Creek Youth Network (SCYN), The Charlotte Symphony, Christ Lutheran Church - McClintock Partners in Education, Civic By Design Forum, Exodus Foundation, Father's Against Violence and Repeat-Offenders (FAVAR Ministries), Florence Crittenton Services, GenerationEngage, Hands on Charlotte, Helping Empower Local People (H.E.L.P.), International House, Kids Voting Mecklenburg Co., Latin American Women's Association (LAWA), MeckED (Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education), Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas, Mint Museum of Art, Neighbors For A Safer Charlotte, North Carolina Dance Theatre, North Carolina Outward Bound School, Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital, Queens University of Charlotte, Refugee Support Services of the Carolina, Secret Angels Project, Shamrock Gardens PTA, Sports Outreach Institute, St. Peter's Homes McCreesh Place, Statesville Road Elementary School, Villa Heights Community Organization, Wesley Heights Community Association, WTVI

Check back to the website throughout the next seven months, as we’ll be posting announcements and recaps of all the Front Porch Grant events.

Posted: October 24th, 2009 Andria Krewson

Between 2002 and 2006, the number of high school students taking Advanced Placement tests rose 23 percent, according to Teresa Dahlberg, professor of computer science at UNC Charlotte.

At the same time, the number of students taking AP tests in computer science fell 14 percent. Of those taking that test, girls made up only a tiny fraction.

Globally, the numbers are different, with intense interest in other countries in science and technology in the schools.

“We’re losing our global leadership in science and technology,” Dahlberg told a crowd of about 50 people at a meeting Oct. 21 jointly produced by the Levine Museum for the New South and UNC Charlotte. Experts say the trend threatens U.S. national security, she added.

Dahlberg joined Cindy Moss of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and Meghan Gray of Citizen Schools North Carolina in a presentation, “Bridging the Science and Technology Knowledge Gap.”

Yi Deng, dean of UNCC’s College of Computing and Informatics, introduced the speakers and wrapped up the event. He noted that we are now in an “innovation-driven economy,” which makes science and technology crucial to business.

The event was part of a series presented in conjunction with the Levine’s Changing Places exhibit and sponsored by Charlotte Magazine.

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Posted: October 21st, 2009 Andria Krewson

About 20 residents of East Charlotte turned out for a Conversations @ The Crossroads session Tuesday at Central United Methodist Church to envision positive steps for a better Charlotte.

Jatrine Bentsi-Enchill and Brian Foreman facilitated the session, with a showing of the Crossroads Charlotte movie and discussion about individual and collective steps to move the community towards a more positive future.

Former school board member Louise Woods made suggestions at her table to bring people together in shared social activities. It’s about “creating spaces where people can come together,” she said.

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Posted: October 21st, 2009 Andria Krewson

Computer geeks, media types and artists gathered at the second Barcamp Charlotte at Area Fifteen on a recent chilly October Saturday to learn from each other.

A “barcamp” is an unconference, or a meeting with most organization done democratically on the day of the event, generally with free admission and speakers drawn from the pool of those who attend. Charlotte’s camp was billed as a technology and media unconference, and was organized by Phillip Dodds, Justin Ruckman and a large crew of volunteers.

Carlos Espin provided the venue, at Area 15, a Charlotte art movement working through a small business incubator at North Davidson and 15th streets.

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