This information is provided by the city of Charlotte and shared by University City Partners as a community service.

Community Resources During COVID-19

The City of Charlotte’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Department works hard to connect the community to resources that help neighborhoods thrive. Although these times are unprecedented, our mission is still the same. We want to make sure you have access to the resources and information you, your family and your neighbors need as we navigate our new normal during COVID-19, so we have compiled a list of local resources   for those needing help during this pandemic.

Recent highlights include:

Employment Opportunities: Our Job Development team is working closely with Charlotte Works to find employers who are hiring immediately. Details

Food Access: Governor Roy Cooper announced a new texting service so parents can locate food access sites nearby. Details

Childcare Access: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has set up a hotline to help critical-care frontline workers find daycare for their children ages 5-12. Details

Loan Relief and Financial Support: Some companies are extending grace to customers who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. You may be able to defer payments on your mortgage, credit card, auto loan, private student loan or personal loans by calling your bank. Details  The Charlotte Observer also recently published a guide to surviving financially when bills are due during this pandemic. Details

More information on jobs, housing, utility help, food access and more: Click here for a thorough list of employment opportunities, small business resources, housing information, utility assistance, food access, childcare resources, senior resources and more. We will continue to update this list on a weekly basis. If you know of additional resources you would like us to share, please email us at hnsinfo@charlottenc.gov.

• Find a list of all City service impacts, as well as small business and community resources, on the City of Charlotte’s COVID-19 Updates page.

Mecklenburg Creatives Resiliency Fund: Relief for Artists

The Arts & Science Council recently announced the Mecklenburg Creatives Resiliency Fund to support artists and performers that have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

The fund provides $500 grants to eligible artists as long as funding is available. Requests will support reimbursement for medical expenses related to COVID-19 testing or care, including mental health counseling, unanticipated childcare or dependent adult care expenses due to social distancing and compensation for lost income due to a cancellation of a specific scheduled gig, exhibit, sales or similar opportunity due to COVID-19 precautionary measures.

• Learn more and apply here.

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare’s COVID-19 Relief Fund: $20,000 Grants for Nonprofits

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare just launched its COVID-19 Relief Fund. This fund provides up to $20,000 in grants for nonprofits providing services to people with mental health conditions, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders who have been affected by the coronavirus.

• Learn more and apply here for the grant.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

During these trying times, we have seen members of our community rally together to support one another. Thanks to these Charlotteans for giving back during this pandemic!

• Charlotte Latin students have raised more than $83,000 to 3D print face shields in its FabLab for local healthcare workers. News report
• Charlottean Caroline Elliot is raising money to purchase meals from local restaurants for healthcare workers during this time. She and her friends hope to deliver meals for the next 30 days. News report
• Charlotte churches and nonprofits quickly activated to serve more than 125 hungry families in 48 hours last week. News report

Do you know someone or a group that is doing great work like this during this challenging time? Let us know what kinds of neighborhood kindness you have seen during COVID-19 by emailing us at hnsinfo@charlottenc.gov.

Service Impact Reminders

• Neighborhood trainings can now be accessed online. Join us for our first live virtual training, an Introduction to Gardening, on Tuesday, April 7 at 12 p.m. We have partnered with Cooperative Extension to bring this class, the first in a series on gardening. You’ll learn more about where to locate a garden, when and what to plant, how to tend your garden, ideas for starting a community garden, and money savings tips and tricks. Click here to register and to learn more about future gardening workshops.
• Solid Waste Services has suspended yard waste and bulky item pickups. To ensure the cleanliness, health, and safety of our neighborhoods, please do not place these items at the curb.
• Neighborhood Matching Grants are still available and operating as close to the original schedule as possible. The next application deadline is June 1, 2020. The first pre-application workshop, which will take place virtually, is Monday, April 6, 2020. Click here for the workshop dates and times, all of which will be held virtually.
• Click here to view all of the City of Charlotte’s Service Impacts and COVID-19 Updates.