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.   

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​

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. 

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. 

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 

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 

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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. 

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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.  

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