Gretchen Smith

Check out the notable takeaways from the 2024 Charlotte Regional Business Alliance's 2024 Manufacturing Labor and Wage Survey. #economicdevelopment #manufacturing https://lnkd.in/erVt4-yj

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🌍 Transforming Trash: How You Can Help Habitat for Humanity Mitigate Landfill Impact 🌍   📅 Mark Your Calendar! On September 16, 2024, join #U2030 at the U2030 #AnnualSPARKMeeting in Tennessee for an impactful community service project. We're partnering with Habitat for Humanity to reopen the #ReStore in Wilson County. A model for reuse, Habitat's ReStores have diverted 2.1 MILLION TONS of trash from landfills since 2013! Other ways to help reduce trash in landfills: 1) Volunteer Locally: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville ReStore in Wilson County is recruiting dedicated staff and volunteers to bolster the reopening and sustaining operations of the Wilson ReStore. 2) Donate Reusable Items: Donating reusable items to a ReStore location near you can make a significant difference. 3) Practice Recycling and Composting: Implement composting practices in your daily life and improve your recycling efforts to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.   4) Spread Awareness: Educate others about the dangers of landfills, the importance of sustainable waste management practices, and opportunities to donate to a local ReStore location. 📝 Read More https://lnkd.in/eiNRFrKG   #Sustainability #CommunityService #HabitatForHumanity #U2030 #WasteManagement #EnvironmentalImpact #ReStore #Volunteer #Recycling #Composting #TransformTrash

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The Child Care crisis in North Carolina is just the tip of the iceberg—this is a nationwide emergency. Businesses everywhere are losing talent, parents are struggling, and our economy is feeling the strain. But there’s a way forward. Public-private partnerships, like Child Care Benefits and tax incentives, aren’t just “nice to have”—they are sustainable lifelines. It’s time to act, step up, and invest in real solutions that support working families and strengthen our workforce. #ChildCareCrisis #ChildCareBenefits #WorkforceSolutions #FutureOfWork https://lnkd.in/exKNq-Nu

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🚨 Hurricane Helene & Price Gouging: Protect Your Community! 🚨 As Hurricane Helene impacts communities, we’re unfortunately seeing reports of price gouging. When businesses or individuals unfairly raise prices on essentials like food, water, gas, and housing during a disaster, it’s not only unethical—it’s illegal. During declared states of emergency, price gouging is prohibited, and you have the right to report it. 💡 Know Your Rights: If you or someone you know is overcharged for necessities, stand up for your community. Together, we are the safety net that keeps everyone protected during times of crisis. Report Price Gouging Here: #NorthCarolina: 1-877-566-7226 #SouthCarolina: 1-888-743-9351 #Georgia: 1-800-869-1123 #Florida: 1-866-966-7226 #Virginia: 1-800-552-9963 Let’s ensure that no one profits from another’s hardship. If you see something, say something. Stay safe and protect your neighbors, family, and community. #HurricaneHelene #PriceGouging #KnowYourRights #CommunitySupport #DisasterRelief #StaySafe #HurricaneRecovery #LegalRights #EmergencyResponse #StopExploitation https://lnkd.in/eC49apdX

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It’s one thing to get new business but can you keep them once you have them? This should be a phenomenal program. #smallbiz #smallbusiness #clientrelations

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INVEST ATLANTA RECOVERY FUNDS: Are you a child care provider operating in the City of Atlanta and impacted by the recent water crisis? Invest Atlanta, the group tasked with facilitating the Small Business Recovery Grants introduced by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta City Council, has released some initial information regarding the grants. These grants will go to businesses located in the impact zone during the recent Atlanta water crisis with priority given to child care programs. Applications for the grant will open on Monday, June 24, 2024, and will close on Monday, July 8, 2024. The amount of grants awarded will follow the structure below: Closed/Impacted 1-3 days, revenue < $500,000 ~ $2,000 Closed/Impacted 1-3 days, revenue $500,000 - $1,000,000 ~ $4,000 Closed/Impacted 1-3 days, revenue > $1,000,000 ~ $5,000 Closed/Impacted 4+ days, revenue < $500,000 ~ $6,000 Closed/Impacted 4+ days, revenue $500,000 - $1,000,000 ~ $8,000 Closed/Impacted 4+ days, revenue > $1,000,000 ~ $10,000 Criteria to apply will include: Only businesses with a verifiable address within the impact boil water advisory area will be approved. Priority given to industries most directly impacted, including child care programs. Application ranking will also consider the number of days the business was impacted. Businesses must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State and have an active City of Atlanta business license. Invest Atlanta will host a webinar on Monday, June 17 at 5PM to answer questions regarding eligibility, required documentation, and other information. Register here: https://lnkd.in/d-SuH--W

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Quality recovery housing is becoming increasingly recognized as an important criteria for long-term recovery. Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences National Alliance for Recovery Residences - NARR Alabama Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) #asamcriteria #qualityrecoveryhousing #narrstandards #recovery #recoveryresidence

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Across the country, funds💰from opioid litigation settlements are being received at the state and local government level. With this unprecedented inflow, deciding how and where to spend the funds is a 🔥 topic: while investing in treatment and recovery support services is critically important to stem overdoses, it is equally important to move upstream, and invest in youth prevention. Youth prevention relies on access, and early intervention services at the community level; a common barrier to increased access has been a shortage in the prevention workforce. But the paradigm for implementing evidence-based programs is shifting: In addition to having licensed clinicians or masters-level preventionists on staff, many communities are expanding their prevention workforce to include earlier-career, bachelors-level "Prevention Specialists" or "Prevention Consultants" who receive training on-the-job via relevant evidence-based programs that include the basics of prevention science. Opioid settlement funds offer an ideal -- and sustainable -- way to effectively develop a well-trained prevention workforce that can be embedded in schools and communities, with quicker impact. Partnership to End Addiction has contracted with organizations around the country, including several participating in the State of New Jersey's Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) network, to provide professional development, parent education, subject matter expertise, and technical assistance with a goal of expanding the prevention workforce in these communities. My colleague Cori Hammond, MPH shares details of the work in this article 👉 "Training a New Cohort of Prevention Professionals: Expanding the Prevention Workforce - Opioid Principles (jhsph.edu)" To learn more about partnering with Partnership to End Addiction to expand the prevention workforce in your community, contact [email protected].

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This spring, the tireless efforts of advocates across North Carolina have led to significant advancements in state and federal Alzheimer’s legislation. Here's an overview of the Association's recent and current public policy efforts impacting our state. #ENDALZ #advocacy #publicpolicy

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Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and September is Suicide Prevention Month. As the Mid-Cumberland Regional Director for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, I'm reaching out to raise awareness about this critical issue. Suicide is a major public health problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. The statistics are sobering: - Every 11 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the United States. - In 2022, there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts. - According to the Trevor Project's 2024 National Survey, 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 46% of transgender and nonbinary young people. - More than 1 in 10 (12%) LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year. As someone who has personal experience with mental health challenges, I'm passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. We can all play a role in prevention by learning the warning signs, offering support, and connecting those in need with resources. If you have questions about suicide prevention or want to get involved in supporting this crucial cause, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Together, we can work towards a world where fewer lives are lost to suicide. Remember, if you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 Crisis Text Line: Text 988 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #SuicidePreventionAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters

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Today marks #WorldHomelessDay. In the latest Point-in-Count survey findings, CFTH found: - 45% of unsheltered persons were homeless for the first time (up from 42% in 2023). - 32% of unsheltered persons (a plurality) cited the loss of a job or income as the primary cause of their homelessness. - People who are Black or African American are disproportionately represented; they make up 62% of the population experiencing homelessness in the region but only 21% of the total population of Harris County. - 78% of unsheltered persons are male. - 89% of unsheltered persons first fell into homelessness in Houston. - More than 9,700 people were living in a housing program of The Way Home on the night of Jan. 22, 2024. - More than 32,000 people have been placed in permanent housing (Permanent Supportive Housing or Rapid Re-Housing) through The Way Home since 2012. Although we have done good work, there’s plenty more to get done! I’m excited to be part of a team that’s pragmatic, strategic, and rooted in data. #Adelante

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Check out the second post of our three-part blog series that dives into environmental justice and equity in North Carolina! https://lnkd.in/eYM2uJd4

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When you become a member, you benefit from tailored resources, impactful networking, and a platform to showcase your expertise, all while actively shaping the future of the nonprofit sector in Alabama. Membership is more than just a transaction—it’s a partnership. #BecomeAMember #AAN #membershipbenefits #AlabamaNonprofits #professionaldevelopment #educate #advocate #elevate

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