CHARLOTTE IS FACING A CRISIS WHERE ½ OF ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN ARE DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL, 40% BY THE NINTH GRADE. THE MAJORITY (64%) OF THESE GENERATIONAL IMPOVERISHED ARE NO LONGER IN PUBLIC HOUSING BUT IN LOW INCOME APARTMENT COMPLEXES WHERE THE CHARLOTTE EMPOWERMENT ZONE (CEZ) IS SETTING UP LEARNING CENTERS TO HELP UNDERSERVED FAMILIES.

THE MISSION OF THE CEZ IS TO BREAK GENERATIONAL POVERTY BY EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION TO STAY IN SCHOOL AND BE EQUIPPED MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY TO FULFILL THEIR HIGHEST DREAMS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH:

1. AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING – STUDENTS RECEIVE TWICE WEEKLY TUTORING AT THE CEZ LEARNING CENTERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SYLVAN LEARNING CENTERS. LESS THAN 1/3 OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CEZ SITES ARE AT GRADE LEVEL SO EDUCATION SUPPORT IS CRITICAL TO PREVENT DROP-OUTS.
2. SUMMER ENRICHMENT – STUDIES PROVE THAT THE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN FALL BEHIND MOST DURING THE SUMMER AND WHEN CHILDREN FALL TWO GRADE LEVELS BEHIND, THEY NEVER CATCH UP AND ARE BOUND TO DROP OUT. AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING ALONE CANNOT BRIDGE THAT GAP SO SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT IS KEY (LAST SUMMER THE CEZ CAMP ADVANCED STUDENTS AN AVERAGE OF 21%).
3. YEAR ROUND SPORTS/CREATIVE ARTS – LACK OF HOPE AND SELF ESTEEM ARE MAJOR CAUSES OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY. STIRRING DREAMS AND ABILITIES IN YOUNG PEOPLE PRODUCES HOLISTIC SUCCESS – CEZ PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOAR SPORTS, DISCOVERY PLACE AND GIFTED MUSIC AND ARTS GROUPS ARE LIFE TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR MANY.
4. PARENTING CLASSES – CEZ PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OPERATE WITH AND FOR FAMILIES. CEZ SITES OFFER PARENTING CLASSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILY COUNSELING AND OUTREACH CENTER, AND BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CRISIS ASSISTANCE TO CREATE FAMILY STABILITY AND SUPPORT FOR EACH CHILD. BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN ARE GIVEN INCENTIVES TO WORK HARD AND SUCCEED AS OPPOSED TO REMAINING GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED.

CURRENTLY THE CEZ HAS ESTABLISHED LEARNING CENTERS IN THE 504 UNIT, LOW INCOME PRESSLEY RIDGE APTS. (CHARLOTTE’S LARGEST SUPPLIER OF SECTION 8 HOUSING), THE 261 UNIT TRYON FOREST APTS., AND THE 276 UNIT OAK PARK APTS. WHILE OTHERS ARE REQUESTING CEZ SERVICES AS WELL.