Do Good Charlotte

Lions Services has been creating jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired for 91 years. Host Pamela Escobar talks with Agatha Bisbikis, developmental director for Lions Services, and Raven Joiner, a Lions Services employee and a proud advocate for the low vision community.

Road to Hire and the Equitable Foundation are connected through the Crescent Coalition, a cohort of Charlotte nonprofits working together from middle school through college… and now beyond.  Their vision - to prepare a talented pool of young adults for Charlotte's employers, and as a result – shape the future workforce of our city. Host Pamela Escobar is joined by Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, CEO of Road to Hire, and by Jarian Kerekes, Head of Social Impact at the Equitable Foundation.

For many of us, a college education can mean a ticket to a better life. But when you're the first in your family to even consider college, the path forward can feel overwhelming. That can often be the case for many Latin Americans in Charlotte. Host Pamela Escobar talks with LAWA President and CEO Daniela Izurieta, who offers bilingual college access workshops (High School Series) in partnership with colleges and universities in the Greater Charlotte area.

Addressing hunger should be about more than just putting food on the table. That's exactly what Angels & Sparrows in Huntersville has been proving since 2008.  While they’re feeding people, they’re also empowering them to find long-term stability so they can break the cycle. In this episode, Host Pamela Escobar is joined by Interim Executive Director Brandi Jones to discuss how Angels & Sparrows approach helps people transition from survival mode to thriving mode – and how you can support their mission.

We usually think of mental health struggles affecting our younger generations, but what about our elders and their caregivers? When seniors feel forgotten and caregivers are running on empty…depression, anxiety, and despair can take hold. But a creative connection could be a turning point. That's exactly what the Gladys Love Project is proving every day. Their creative projects are fostering deeper connections between elders and giving caregivers space to breathe and heal.

Courtnie Goble used her own experience navigating the college admissions process solo to creat The Academy of Goal Achievers, which connects students with mentors who walk this journey with them…and she’s joins host Pamela Escobar to talk about their work and how you can help.

This episode is a perfect example of how a single moment of awareness can spark an entire movement. When Emmanuel and Adrienne Threatt went on their first date in uptown Charlotte more than a decade ago, they kept noticing homelessness around them. Specifically, they noticed people struggling with things many of us take for granted: a hot shower, clean laundry, even brushing our teeth. So, they took action. Emmanual and Adrienne join host Pamela Escobar to talk about their non-profit, Hope Vibes. If you're inspired by the Threatt's story, check out their 30 Days to Launch Your Nonprofit Toolkit, built for everyday people who are passionate about making change but overwhelmed by the process. Find it here: https://givehopedaily.systeme.io/hopefuel

This is the 100th episode of Do Good CLT! It all started back in February 2019 with a simple idea: Shine a light on all the good happening right here in Charlotte.  We wanted to create something that reminded people of that. And more importantly, that we can do good. Since that very first episode, we've had the privilege of sitting down with more than a hundred nonprofits doing incredible work—organizations walking alongside families through cancer journeys, connecting kids with the resources and confidence they need to thrive, and tackling challenges we might never have imagined. But here's what we've learned: The real magic isn't just in the individual stories. It's in how they all connect to create this web of support that makes Charlotte such a strong and incredible place. So today, we're taking a step back to talk about that collective impact and what comes next.  We're joined by our partners at SHARE Charlotte, who've been with us on this journey.

Communities in Schools Charlotte sees every day how removing barriers can completely change a student's trajectory. Host Pamela Escobar welcomes back CIS President and CEO Men Tchaas Ari, to share the incredible work CIS is doing in our schools, and Dwight Jacobs, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain at Duke Energy, to talk about their partnership in making this Shop for Good campaign possible.

Mitchell's House provides counseling and therapy for seriously ill children and their families. It’s filling a critical gap in our healthcare system where medical treatment ends, but emotional support is desperately needed. Host Pamela Excober is joined by its founder, Meg McElwain, who channeled her grief into creating this resource, and Ashley Witt McGarrell, whose family has found crucial emotional support through Mitchell's House.

FeedNC in Mooresville feeds needy families through groceries and meals, and also help train people for jobs, connect them with resources, and offer up great programs for kids. In this episode, host Pamela Escober is joined by Director of Operations Dawson Graham and Development Coordinator Karen Belgrader, who, together, are bringing a fresh perspective to FeedNC's mission to not just preserve dignity, but restore it.

Emerald School of Excellence is an accredited recovery high school in Charlotte serving students from NC and SC.  Host Pamela Escobar talks with the creator of Emerald School, Mary Ferreri, and Nicole Higginbotham, a parent of an Emerald student and now, their Community Development Officer.

When organizations come together with a shared vision, everything can change. And that's where United Way of Greater Charlotte comes in.  Host Pamela Escobar is joined by United Way of Greater Charlotte President and CEO Kathryn Firmin-Sellers to hear how this kind of collaboration can create lasting change.

MeckMIN doesn’t just talk about unity. It creates spaces where it happens, from interfaith dinners to solidarity events. Their impact ripples outward. Through their work, neighbors who might never have met are finding common ground. Host Pamela Escobar is joined by Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, MeckMIN's Executive Director, and Glenn Smith, who is being honored for his organization’s work in the community.

Through summer rock camps, music lessons, and workshops, We Rock Charlotte empowers kids and teens to stand up for themselves and each other—loudly and proudly. Pamela Escobar is joined by co-founder Krystle Baller, along with Stephanie Klein—who started as a student and now helps lead the program that shaped her.

Grooming Greatness creatively grooms and empowers youth ages 9-16 primarily from underserved communities through exposure to cultural experiences, literacy, visual and performing arts. Host Pamela Escobar talks with Grooming Greatness Founder Monique Stubbs, and Board Member Rita Garnto

Fearless Brown Girls, empowers underserved and underrepresented high school girls to achieve financial confidence and independence, working to bridge the racial wealth gap, starting with our future leaders. Host Pam Escobar talks with FBG Executive Director Diana Williams, and Ayre Cupid, a FBG mentee and program participant.

About fourteen percent of children here are living in poverty – and this isn't just a temporary struggle. It's a shadow that can follow them their entire lives. These children are statistically likely to remain on a low income as adults, trapped in a cycle that seems almost impossible to break. But Families Forward believes in impossible. Host Pam Escobar talks with Tatiyana Laws, Director of Programming, and Erica Blount, VP of the Alumni Board of Families Forward.

SHARE Charlotte is highlighting organizations that create safe havens for patients and families navigating medical care. Facing extended medical treatment is already a difficult situation. But if you’re from out of town and need to find a place to stay nearby, that just adds another layer of stress. The Hospitality House of Charlotte lifts a weight off people’s shoulders. Their 20-bedroom house offers more than just a place to sleep. It’s a space for people to grab a hot meal, do a load of laundry, and find a moment of peace. Host Pam Escobar talks with Diana Warth, Chief Development Director at Hospitality House of Charlotte, and Abby Waters, a Charlotte social worker who works with Hospitality House.

This January, SHARE Charlotte is focusing on organizations that provide crucial support to families during some of their most challenging moments – when their children are receiving medical care.  Host Pam Escobar talks with Kristin Young, the Chief Advancement Officer at Ronald McDonals House of Charlotte, and Diana Warth, the Chief Development Officer.