Jul 21, 2010

Elected Officials Spend a Day In the Life

Elected officials from City Council, County Commission and Board of Education will spend a day learning about poverty from the “inside.” Mecklenburg Ministries is hosting this “In Their Shoes” service opportunity to explore issues concerning homelessness and poverty in our community.

Each elected official will leave their home before dawn to walk to the bus stop closest to their house. They will ride the bus to the uptown station and then transfer to a bus to take them to Crisis Assistance Ministry where they are to arrive by 8am.

There they will encounter approximately 300 people needing assistance and in immediate danger of being evicted or having their utilities shut off. These elected officials will serve muffins and juice to those in line for assistance.

At 10am they will depart on a walking tour (rain or shine) of uptown Charlotte from the perspective of a homeless person (Darren Ash of WISH coordinating.). This will include viewing places where many homeless sleep and the shelters that provide assistance, and learning firsthand the challenges for those who have no place to sleep at night.

At 11am they will arrive at Urban Ministries where they will eat lunch with homeless neighbors and share discussion with a panel of homeless individuals.

“In Their Shoes” is made possible by the sponsorship of Goodrich Corporation and Piedmont Natural Gas. After these corporations took part in an “In Their Shoes” experience last fall, they were eager to have elected officials share the same experience.

Kelly Chopus, Director of Community Relations, Goodrich Corporation, stated: “It is important that our elected officials have a firsthand understanding of the growing critical needs in our community. It is essential that they know the neighbors we serve and understand their circumstances, especially in this economic time.

George Baldwin, Managing Director, Legislative & Community Affairs for Piedmont Natural Gas, added, “Only then can our elected officials make the best decisions and impact solutions in ways that can inspire more collaboration and innovation. Since participating in “In Their Shoes” I have a much deeper understanding of the growing critical needs of our community.”

Elected officials participating in the July 21st “In Their Shoes” experience: Mayor Anthony Foxx, County Commission Chair Jennifer Roberts, School Superintendent Dr. Pete Gorman, Councilman Andy Dulin, Commissioner Harold Cogdell, Board of Education members Tom Tate and Richard McElrath.

Categories: Community