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UCITY Family Zone Timeline

2016

Established UC Faith & Civic Leaders Group 

  1. The UC Faith & Civic Leaders started  as a direct response to the Keith Lamont Scott shooting on September 20, 2016 and the civil unrest that followed. Under the direction of Brent Jones from Stonebridge Church Community, Christian leaders in the University City and Hidden Valley areas of north Charlotte gather regularly for prayer, relationship-building, and strategic collaboration focused on community transformation.  https://forcharlotte.org

  2. Monthly meetings are held to continue to serve to community needs, enhance the network and build social capital.   

2017

Formation of the UCITY Family Zone

  1. The group was established to promote overall wellbeing, reduce preventable disease, and increase social capital in the people and communities of University City, by coordinating and expanding social determinants of health activities through a Community Organization, University, Business, and Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) partnership.  https://arches.uncc.edu/our-work/ucity-family-zone/ucity-family-zone

  2. General Meetings

2018

Launched “Movement Day” video & Launched Survey: who’s serving our UC community

  1. The UCITY Family Zone presented a video produced by Silent Images and shown at "Movement Day".  https://vimeo.com/253462606

  2. To better understand the needs of community and know what organizations are working across the UC area, a survey was launched.  These organizations were invited to become a collaborating partner of the UCITY Family Zone. 

2019

Restructured UCITY Family Zone, Steering Committee Established

  1. Strategic Planning Session lead by Wendy Pascual at Crossway Consulting, under the direction of Dr. Mark DeHaven the Steering Committee was formalized.  Each member leads one of the Community of Practice that will enhance resources to better serve the UC Community.  Dr. Mark DeHaven chairs the committee. 

  2. Communities of Practice: Education, Food Security, Health & Wellness, and Neighborhood Development and Social Capital. 

2020

Coordinated Emergency COVID-19 Response Team-rapid response to the UC community needs; Facilitated collaborative community engagement programs and initiatives.

  1. The team comprised organizations working in partnership to establish a food access network, healthcare information on COVID-19 and free testing sites, access to housing resources, financial resources to business owners, and provided education support programs.  https://inside.uncc.edu/news-features/2020-04-14/unc-charlotte-professor-forms-response-group-help-community-needs-during.

  2. Facilitated community engagement activities and programs: 

  3. Community Hub Garden https://communityhub1245.org/photo-gallery#

  4. Community Ambassador Program

  5. Volunteer Engagement Network

  6. Workforce development program by Men of Destiny

  7. I-CAN TODAY, food delivery - food access network 

  8. UC Farmers Market at The Lake.  https://univcitymarket.org/ 

  9. Remote learning for kids without a permanent home.

  10. Health is Wealth series 

2021

Centralized communications - Facilitated by Pat Martinez

  • Established several communication virtual platforms, such as GroupSite & SLACK.  

  • Enhance digital engagement through social media, Facebook and Instagram

  • Redesigned website updates information and calendar.  

  • Developing a quarterly newsletter to increase connections and social capital

Implement Strategic Leadership - Facilitated by Wendy Pascual

  • General meetings are topic specific, groups discussion, breakout sessions and discuss next steps.

  • Guest speakers are topic specific, provide updated information that align with Community of Practice; five focus areas. 

  • Steering Committee meetings focus on communities of practice and addresses community issues.   

Increased support for research and development. Facilitated by Camille Gossett and Donna Schultz

 

Established the Five Communities of Practice to focus on areas of needs.

  1. Education, Facilitated by Leroy Wray

  2. Faith Leaders, Facilitated by Brent Jones

  3. Food Security, Co-Facilitated by Elaine Jones and Alonzo Hill 

  4. Health & Wellbeing, Facilitated by Mark DeHaven 

  5. Neighborhood & Community Development, Facilitated by Darlene Heater 

September 2021:

The Steering Committee will assess and evaluate our next steps.  We still have much work to do.  I am Dr. Mark DeHaven, and I thank you for visiting our website.  Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@ucityfamilyzone.com with questions about our place-based initiative. Learn more about us and if you are an organization serving the University City area, collaborate with us.  If you need resources, contact us.  Also, visit our social media pages, like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.  Remember, we are many working as one.  Stay well and healthy. 

October 2021:

Developed and shared: Organizational Chart, UCITY Family Zone Impact Report January 2020-June 2021 (Click Here), Fine-tuned description of Community of Practice and communications strategy established.  

Click on photo to view slide show to view pictures and read full description. 

UCITY Family Zone Map

UCITY Family Zone Map

Describe your image

2017 UCFZ Founders

2017 UCFZ Founders

Founding members

Building the Tapestry We Call Home

Building the Tapestry We Call Home

Cultural Awareness Program designed by Leadership in the Clouds™ to build social capital within UCITY Family Zone.

2019 UCFZ General meeting

2019 UCFZ General meeting

2019 Community Hub

2019 Community Hub

UCFZ General Meeting

UCFZ General Meeting

2018 general meeting at UCP Conference Room

UCFZ Collaborators

UCFZ Collaborators

2018 General Meeting

Building Gardens

Building Gardens

Building Social Capital.

Men of Destiny

Men of Destiny

Workforce Development Program

Response Team Meeting 4.3.2020

Response Team Meeting 4.3.2020

2020

Wells Fargo - helping hands

Wells Fargo - helping hands

I-CAN TODAY pick up at Wells Fargo for Heal Charlotte - serving community lunches.

Heal Charlotte Feeding Neighbors

Heal Charlotte Feeding Neighbors

Maurice and volunteers handing out meals.

Mask Delivery

Mask Delivery

UCFZ Response Team Meeting

UCFZ Response Team Meeting

April 10, 2020

Feeding Kids Program

Feeding Kids Program

Sponsored by Atrium Health

Kids Eat Free Program

Kids Eat Free Program

Atrium Health Program

UCFZ Pantry Food Drive

UCFZ Pantry Food Drive

Food Pantry Drive at Stonebridge Church Community

Food Pantry Drive

Food Pantry Drive

Food Distribution at Community Hub

Food Distribution at Community Hub

SPUD DAY

CMS Workers

CMS Workers

Pick up three-day breakfast & lunches from CMS.

Volunteers helping I-Can Today unload delivery.

Volunteers helping I-Can Today unload delivery.

Dropping off food at apartment complex. Volunteers distribute the children lunches.

Northside Baptist

Northside Baptist

Veronica Washington & Sons

Kids Chef Program

Kids Chef Program

Charles Robinson conducting Kids Chef Program at Northside Baptist.

UCITY Family Zone GroupSite

UCITY Family Zone GroupSite

Established a comunication platform to enhance connections.

UCITY Family Zone newsletter

UCITY Family Zone newsletter

Enhance communications-launched quarterly newsletter.

Food Share

Food Share

Northside Baptist Church Pop-Up Food Share 1.2021

It takes a village.

It takes a village.

Community Hub Community Gardens Build.

Health is Wealth Program

Health is Wealth Program

Alonzo Hill host free nutrition education program 2.2021

University City Farmer's Market

University City Farmer's Market

Alonzo Hill, outdoor cooking demonstration

Educational Program

Educational Program

LeRoy Wray, & volunteers tutoring students without a permanent home at Northside Baptist Church.

Works goes on.

Works goes on.

Wendy holding virtual conversations with members of the Steering Committee on next steps - retooling the Communities of Practice.

12.2020-UCFZ Steering Committee Meeting.

12.2020-UCFZ Steering Committee Meeting.

Looking forward to 2021.

University City Farmer's Market

University City Farmer's Market

2021: Saturdays, May thru October

Mark & Pat

Mark & Pat

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Darlene & Mark

Darlene & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Pastor Gripper & Mark

Pastor Gripper & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Keri & Mark

Keri & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Mark & Wendy

Mark & Wendy

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Rashaan & Mark

Rashaan & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Camille & Mark

Camille & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Eboné & Mark

Eboné & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Alonzo & Mark

Alonzo & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Xia & Mark

Xia & Mark

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

The Group Reunion

The Group Reunion

Steering Committee Meeting and we celebrated Mark's Birthday! 6.2021

Discussing Gardens

Discussing Gardens

Steering Committee Meeting. 6.2021

Discuss next steps

Discuss next steps

Steering Committee Meeting. 6.2021

Calling all volunteers

Calling all volunteers

Steering Committee Meeting. 6.2021

UCITY Family Zone

UCITY Family Zone

We are many working as one!

Click on photo to view the slide show. 

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