Smart Start of Mecklenburg County

🔦 Partner Spotlight | Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is proud to partner with NC Child Care Health Consultants. November is Child Safety and Protection Month and the NC CCHCA consist of highly trained nurses and health educators who work with childcare facilities to ensure the health and safety of all the children in their care. To learn more about NC CCHCA: https://lnkd.in/eyHT8zYq This content supports our vision that every child in Mecklenburg County turns five ready to thrive.

📅🗳️ 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 is Election Day. If you haven't voted already, do you have a plan?! 🕰️ Polls open at 6:30am and run through 7:30pm 📍 Check here for your designated polling site: https://lnkd.in/dKrifnW 📑 All you need is a valid ID! 🔗 For more information on voting in Mecklenburg County visit: https://lnkd.in/eJkjyWuF

"As a Latino immigrant and advocate, I am deeply passionate about serving and helping the community. I support SSMC because they greatly benefit children and their families by providing essential tools and resources … Supporting young children and their families builds a stronger, healthier community, sowing the seeds for a better future for all," Nathalia Nettles, MECK Pre-K Registration and Intake Specialist. We are extremely grateful for Nathalia and everything she does for Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and our community as a whole. If you want to get involved: https://lnkd.in/eiGX-D5A #nationalgratitudemonth

🤩 We are extremely happy and proud that The Basics mural was unveiled at Atrium Health Myers Park Pediatrics this afternoon! It's been a long time coming, but worth the wait. More to follow, but we had to share!

❤️ Smart Start of Mecklenburg thanks all who donated diapers, wipes and other essential baby items collected over the last few weeks which are now ready to be distributed to families affected by Hurricane Helene. SSMC CEO Mike Blackwelder and Leadership Charlotte Alumni held a wrapping party last Friday to prep the diapers for DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA. This content supports our vision that all children in Meck County turn five ready to thrive.

"I was raised by a parent who worked as an Early Childhood Educator and understand the need for supporting those who show up each day to care for and develop the minds of our future leaders.," Tenille Banner-Alexander, Philanthropy and Outreach Director. Tenille supports Smart Start of Mecklenburg County both as a staff member and as a parent who used programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and ParentPowered for her young daughter. Please considering giving to SSMC to further our mission that all children in Meck County turn five ready to thrive. https://lnkd.in/eiGX-D5A

Last week, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library installed the program's first fully bilingual Little Library at Manolo's Bakery! The box will be stocked with amazing books for children to grow their at-home libraries and will be given the opportunity to enroll in DPIL's fully bilingual book-giving program. This content supports our vision that all children in Meck County turn five ready to thrive. #SmartStartStories

"Supporting an organization that helps young children and families is important because the early childhood years are crucial in development. Smart Start connects families with resources that can help them navigate these early years and realize they are not alone on this journey," Smart Start finance manager Amy Corbett. Smart Start's vision is that all children in Mecklenburg County enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed, and our work can't be done without the generosity of our supporters. Please consider making a gift or getting involved: https://lnkd.in/eiGX-D5A

📅 On National Boss' Day, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is proud to recognize the work of our CEO, Mike Blackwelder. Thanks to Mike, our leadership and our Board of Directors, SSMC is proud to align with the US Surgeon Generals advisory on workplace mental health. But don't take our word for it! "We will continue to strive towards building a positive, supportive workplace that is responsive and adaptive to the ongoing needs faced by our team members and their families. We hope to build upon our existing efforts to create a legacy of a family-friendly culture that prioritizes the needs of caregivers," penned Blackwelder. ✍️ Read the full piece here: https://bit.ly/4hapO8g #nationalbossday

"Supporting our youngest children and their families produces enormous gains in the healthy development of human potential," Jennifer Stamp, Strategic Initiatives Director. Studies show when brain development in infants and young children is fully supported, children are more likely to reach milestones critical to future individual and community success like; high school graduation and post-secondary education, and the avoidance of substance use and crime. If you'd like to support the Smart Start of Mecklenburg County mission, visit: https://lnkd.in/eiGX-D5A