Dash for Down Syndrome helps CMS serve special needs students

Posted on March 10, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

South Charlotte Weekly

Posted by on March 9, 2015 in News

More than 600 runners competed in last year’s race and raised $30,000. Cook said more than 100 people already signed up for the upcoming race and they expect around 700 people to compete this year. Photo courtesy of DSAGC

Annual fundraising 5K race scheduled for March 21

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte (DSAGC) will host its third 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K race, starting at Blakeney Professional Center at 8:30 a.m. on March 21. This run raises money for DSAGC’s educational program, Together in Education (TiE).

Stephanie Cook, DSAGC education director, said the organization’s educational programs cost $84,000 annually, which comes primarily from the 3-2-1 Dash.

“Having these events is essential,” she said. “Unlike a lot of our programs where participants pay fees, the school program is completely free of charge to schools.”

DSAGC’s Executive Director Kathryn Lariviere said, “It’s important that we are able to support the school districts free of charge, so fundraising is crucial. Both as the executive director of DSAGC and as the mother of Cam (Lariviere’s 10-year-old son who has Down syndrome), I am thrilled that the DSAGC TiE program is available to support teachers to benefit students with Down syndrome.”

TiE supports area schools, parents and students by providing education development training opportunities for teachers. TiE also works as a liaison between parents and schools when planning and implementing the best educational practices for each student’s individual needs.

TiE currently supports six school districts – Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, Rowan, Cleveland counties in North Carolina and Fort Mill in South Carolina, reaching approximately 400 students with Down syndrome.

Cook, who worked as a licensed school psychologist and counselor with CMS for five years, said, “Children with Down syndrome have a unique learning style. We teach teachers how to moderate the classroom, train parents about special education policies and provide them with personal training on IEPs, school suggestions and homework strategies.”

Cook said the most expensive portion of TiE falls in professional development opportunities. DSAGC provides three to four professional development conferences annually to a team of 15 Down Syndrome specialists, appointed by the six school districts.

Ann Jolly is an exceptional children elementary program specialist at CMS. Before taking on this role, she worked as a special education teacher in the school district for 20 years. She was appointed as a CMS DSAGC Down syndrome specialist at the end of last year.

Jolly said TiE has been instrumental in helping her provide a  “meaningful education for all students.”

“Having the most current information allows us to make informed decisions and support families,” she said. “We are working with DSAGC’s TiE program to help us identify areas of difficulties and provide targeted support, provide training sessions to CMS staff during summer teacher conferences and to see how we may better facilitate meaningful, positive IEP meetings.”

Jolly said CMS has partnered with DSAGC’s TiE program to provide training for additional CMS staff members.

“The first training session was held on Jan. 23 and we are planning additional ways to partner and build capacity,” she said.

This year’s Dash for Down Syndrome takes place on World Down Syndrome Day, an internationally-recognized day of celebration meant to bring awareness and foster an appreciation for people with Down syndrome.

After the race is over, participants, community members and friends and families with people with Down syndrome are invited to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day at Elevation Church in Blakeney.

Elevation is sponsoring the entire carnival-style World Down Syndrome Day celebration with bounce houses, an obstacle course, hands-on games for children, corn hole, popcorn, cotton candy, sno-cones, hotdogs, cookies and lemonade.

Susan Spantgos, community outreach coordinator at Elevation Blakeney and a resident of south Charlotte said Elevation has always sponsored the Dash and felt compelled to partner with DSAGC to provide a special celebration in accordance with the holiday.

“It is very exciting that the Dash will also have a World Down Syndrome Day event for the first time this year,” Lariviere  said. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of Elevation Church.”

Spantgos also said she was personally enthusiastic about World Down Syndrome Day. Spantgos’ 22-year-old daughter Catherine has Down syndrome. She said DSAGC has been a great support system for her family since her daughter’s birth.

She was happy to help build a partnership between DSAGC and Elevation Blakeney. Spantgos said, “I am a firm believer that all people are given incredible gifts and talents from God and it is up to all of us to give everyone an opportunity to let their light shine.”

Visit http://www.dashfordownsyndrome.racesonline.com to register or find out more information. Visit http://www.dsa-gc.org for more information about DSAGC.

Posted in Education, Events and Galas, Family and Parenting, Health and Wellness, Human Interest, Human Rights, Newspaper, Philanthropy, South Charlotte Weekly, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

South Charlotte residents speak out regarding failed nondiscrimination ordinance

Posted on March 9, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

South Charlotte Weekly

Posted by on March 9, 2015 in News

Greater Charlotte residents fill the council chamber to capacity and hold signs for and against approval of the nondiscrimination ordinances. Crystal O’Gorman/SCW photo

More than 100 speakers addressed Charlotte City Council at its Monday, March 2, meeting regarding a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance. Some of those speakers identified themselves as south Charlotte residents, speaking both for and against the ordinance, which was struck down.

The ordinance, which would have amended sections of city code to extend nondiscrimination language to include gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status and marriage status, failed to pass after a 6 to 5 vote.

District 7 representative Ed Driggs, along with councilmembers Greg Phipps, LaWana Mayfield, John Autry, Michael Barnes and Kenny Smith, voted against the ordinance.

Councilmembers removed a section of the ordinance that would allow transgender individuals to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with, before the final vote.

The ordinances, which were previously struck down in the late 1990s, were reintroduced to councilmembers by Charlotte Non-Discrimination Ordinance Coalition (CNDOC) representative Scott Bishop during a November 2014 meeting.

More than 30 of the more than 100 speakers, who were given a two-minute time limit, spoke in favor of the ordinance, including south Charlotte resident Peter Barr. Barr spoke on behalf of his transgender son, who graduated from Charlotte Latin School.

“Charlotte is a progressive city,” he told councilmembers. “Being part of a progressive city is important. Many are afraid of what they think this ordinance means for their children. I, too, have fears for my son and want him to feel safe enough to move back home … He is still my son; he is still the same person.”

More than 60 residents spoke out against the ordinances at the meeting. South Charlotte restaurant owner Richard Adams told council approving the ordinances would be “reverse discrimination.” Adams added he doesn’t discriminate in hiring practices and employs several LGBT community members, but said he felt the ordinances are “a violation of (his) liberties.”

Rev. Steve Triplett, of South Charlotte Baptist Church, also spoke out against the ordinances based on his religious convictions.

Nearly six hours after public comment began, Councilmember Vi Lyles made a motion to vote on the amended ordinances, which excluded the section regarding transgender people using public bathrooms, showers and changing rooms of the gender they identify with. Lyles said the combination of public outcry over the bathroom argument and knowing there weren’t enough council votes for the original ordinance, pushed her to motion for the amendment.

“I ran on the idea of collaboration,” Lyles said. “… The most important thing is to move us forward – protecting housing, taxicab service and public accommodations, with the exception of bathrooms.”

Councilmembers Autry and Mayfield strongly opposed amending the ordinance, but other councilmembers agreed with Lyles. The vote, 9 to 2, allowed the final decision to be in accordance with the exception motioned by Lyles.

“I cannot and will not support an amendment that does not support all citizens,” Mayfield said.

South Charlotte representative Driggs voted against the non-discrimination ordinances. He said he didn’t believe some rhetoric from both sides of the argument.

“I don’t like being called hateful and ignorant (by the LBGT community and advocates),” Driggs said, adding he voted against the issue because he wasn’t convinced there was enough compelling evidence presented in favor of it.

Driggs ended his public address by stating he and all councilmembers were doing the best they could with the information that was presented by all parties.

Posted in Civic and Government News, Human Rights, Law, Newspaper, South Charlotte Weekly, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

School of Theatre to take the stage for ‘Les Miserables’

Posted on March 9, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly

Posted by on March 9, 2015 in Arts & Entertainment, Education, News

(Front row) Caitlin O’Brien as Marius and Kendall Quade as Marguerite, a factory worker; (Back row) Zane Bernard as Jean Valjean and Cecilia Eure also playing Marguerite. Photo courtesy of Matthews Playhouse

MATTHEWS – Dr. Margaret Wrenn Goodrum believes acting is more than just words spoken on stage; she feels it’s an opportunity to cultivate an understanding of real-world issues through connecting actors and audience members with the purpose of the story.

“Acting is not only enlightening (actors) about acting skills performed on stage, but also letting them look out onto the world and see how theater can make a difference,” Goodrum said.

That’s why she chose the non-musical version of the play “Les Misérables” for her School of Theatre intermediate- and senior-level classes to perform at Matthews Playhouse.

Performances take place Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m., at Fullwood Theater, part of the Matthews Community Center, located at 100 McDowell St.

Set in the early 1800s, “Les Misérables” chronicles Jean Valjean’s journey from stealing bread to feed his starving family, to prison and life after prison, where he’s faced with the same choice – steal or start over.

Valjean is saved from another stint in prison when a priest gifts him the candlesticks he’s stolen. Instead of continuing with a life of crime, Valjean transforms, builds a business, becomes mayor and saves his former factory worker, the abused Fantine’s daughter, Cosette, from a life of destitution. All of the while, Valjean is being chased by Javert, a relentless police inspector determined to maintain law and order.

Goodrum, who directs at several Charlotte-area companies, said she previously directed the play and has read the novel by Victor Hugo. She said Hugo’s personal commitment to injustice compelled her to include two new characters in the play, casted as Hugo’s voice.

The characters will quote Hugo and passages from the novel to emphasize the significance of social issues addressed in the play.

For example, when Valjean is faced with changing his life or reverting to criminal activity, actress Emily Rheault will say, “Before him he saw two roads, both equally straight; but he did see two; and that terrified him – he who had never in his life known anything but one straight line. And bitter anguish, these two roads were contradictory.”

There’s also a piece involving both Voices of Hugo, played by Rheault and Hannah Walker, where they discuss how society allows the cycle of poverty and abuse to continue.

“I want the words of Victor Hugo to go into the viewers and actors consciousness … to make them think twice about passing up a homeless person,” Goodrum said,

Goodrum believes a good play and good acting are synonymous with breaking barriers of understanding. She said the only way she can truly teach her students to become better actors is by pushing them out of their comfort zones.

“Les Misérables” addresses topics that include extreme poverty, physical and sexual abuse of women, prostitution and prison life. In order to understand these issues as they relate to the story, Goodrum said she gave performers research assignments focusing on these issues and Hugo’s life philosophies. She also worked with the actors individually on character development.

Goodrum, who graduated with a theater degree from North Carolina School of the Arts said, the method is “about finding the truth in what these characters are saying.”

A couple of young actresses have taken on male roles in the production. Victoria Hargett, a 16-year-old Union County resident, will play Inspector Javert.

“Before I even auditioned for the role, many people told me, ‘Oh, you can’t be Javert, you’re a girl,’ or ‘You’ll never be cast, you’re not manly enough.’  Nothing brought me more joy than breaking these preconceived ideas that my gender could limit my capabilities,” she said.

Cailtin O’Brien, a 12-year-old Charlotte resident, will play Marius Gillenormand, Cosette’s lover.

“At first I wasn’t sure I wanted the role of Marius. I am a girl, and I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with playing a man who is in love with a woman,” Caitlin said “… I took the chance, and I am very glad I did. To be honest, it was a little awkward at first, but I learned that it’s all just acting.”

Caitlin believes Goodrum provided the right direction to help her succeed.

“She was very supportive and helped me along the way, and now I am very comfortable with the role,” Caitlin said. “I definitely grew as an actor, and I think I could accept any role in the future.”

Goodrum said it’s important for actors to push through their comfort zones to be successful on stage and in life. She added, as the Valjean character has two choices, “We can make those two choices, the comfortable (or) uncomfortable … do that thing that feels uncomfortable (or) do the right thing.”

Find more information and purchase tickets at http://www.matthewsplayhouse.com.

Posted in Entertainment/Creative Arts, Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, Newspaper, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

African Children’s Choir to light up the stage at Mint Hill churches

Posted on March 9, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly

Posted by on March 9, 2015 in Arts & Entertainment, News

Photo courtesy of ACC

MINT HILL – The African Children’s Choir will take the stage for several free performances at Mint Hill churches later this month.

The choir, known as ACC, is a program within humanitarian relief nonprofit Music for Life, created more than 30 years ago to bring global awareness to the needs of orphaned and destitute children living in Africa.

Music for Life has raised more than $1 million to build primary schools, literacy schools and children’s homes. The charity also has used the funds to pay for the secondary and higher-level education for children in seven African countries: Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.

More than 1,000 children have traveled with ACC since its inception, and Music for Life has supported 100,000 children through various relief efforts and educational projects.

The African Children’s Choir selects youth ambassadors – children 7 to 10 years old, from primary and literacy schools – to perform with the choir for one year. The children continue receiving an education while traveling the world, performing with the choral group.

Choir 43 – the 43rd choir group in its history – consists of 18 children from Kampala, Uganda, who will tour North America, spending their first month performing at churches in North Carolina.

Emily Gronow, from Wales, will travel with Choir 43 as its tour leader, working as a liaison with the media and managing the children and staff members. She said the children are excited to be in the U.S.

“The children are full of energy and life,” Gronow said. “They are experiencing a lot of firsts – discovering snow, learning how a vacuum works and tasting different foods.

“Yesterday, I took them to each pick out and buy their own pair of shoes. They were so proud … You take the little things for granted, and to be able to come down to that level was really a profound moment for me.”

Tina Sipp, event coordinator for ACC, said approximately 75 percent of Music for Life’s funding comes from ACC’s church performances.

“We do special events for galas in New York City and Texas, and we’ve worked a lot with Bono (of U2) and ONE.org, but most of our performances and funds come from the collective support received from churches all over the world,” she said.

While the events are free, attendees are encouraged to donate. The concerts also feature a production table with CDs and African jewelry for sale, with proceeds benefitting Music for Life’s education programs.

“The education we provide for them means a way out of poverty,” Sipp said. “… Every dollar translates into radical change – being able to provide for their basic needs, food, a safe place to live and to have a dream. We follow them through adulthood and continue to pay for their education. It’s life-changing.”

Special Nabisubi is a 24-year-old Ugandan who toured the U.K. with ACC when she was 9 years old. Nabisubi now travels with Choir 43 as a staff member and mentor.

This is Nabisubi’s first time traveling with the tour, but she previously spent several years working at ACC’s Music for Life training center in Kampala, Uganda. She said it’s a blessing to give back to children who are walking the same path she did.

“It’s a privilege to see how they grow, from knowing nothing. It blesses my heart that I am contributing something,” Nabisubi said.

Nabisubi said receiving support from Music for Life and ACC changed her life.

“(Because of ACC and Music for Life) I’ve been able to get an education, even receiving an accounting degree from university,” she said. “(ACC and Music for Life) are my family, and they’ve built my spirit and encouraged me in every way.”

Performing in Mint Hill

ACC’s Choir 43 will sing and dance in three 80-minute performances at two Mint Hill churches.

The choir will perform twice – at 8:45 a.m. and again at 11:10 a.m. – at Blair Road United Methodist, located at 9135 Blair Road.

That evening, the choir will host a 7 p.m. performance at Arlington Baptist Church, located at 9801 Arlington Church Road.

ACC’s music mixes African rhythms with soulful hymns. The choir will perform a capella ethnic worship music, along with African drums. The group also will sing classic gospel songs, such as “Oh Happy Day” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” with instrumental accompaniment tracks.

Performers change costumes three times, wearing traditional Ugandan garb, and perform traditional dances from the Mwaga and Magunjju tribes.

ACC has received worldwide recognition performing throughout the U.K. and U.S. The group performed on the season six finale of “American Idol,” received a Grammy nomination and has performed for Queen Elizabeth II.

“The programs have great costumes and music, but the most captivating part comes from the spirit the children exude on stage … authentic joy,” Sipp said. “They have a powerful voice.”

Call Blair Road UMC at 704-545-6785 or Arlington Baptist at 704-545-4589 for more information on the upcoming performances.

Posted in Education, Entertainment/Creative Arts, Events and Galas, Human Interest, Human Rights, Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, Newspaper, Philanthropy, Spirituality and Religion, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Abundant Life Church will double in size and occupancy

Posted on March 8, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly

Posted by on March 6, 2015 in News

Architectural renderings of how the church will look after completion. Photo courtesy of Abundant Life Church

MATTHEWS – Rev. Brent Watts of Abundant Life Church believed sacrificing for another church would help his own congregation grow. He was right.

After travelling missionary Antonio Marquez Sr. spoke to Watts’s congregation about serving in the Dominican Republic in October 2011, Watts felt called to help build a church there.

While his church members worked to raise funds to pay off the debt their church owed on a $305,000 loan – used to build their current auditorium and building eight years ago – Watts asked the congregation to look past its own needs and reach out and help others.

Watts believes God placed this message in his heart: “If you help a church build a building they can’t afford, the Lord will help you build a building you can’t afford.”

Within sixth months after launching the fundraising campaign in January 2012, Abundant Life Church raised $15,000 to build a church in La Parcela, Dominican Republic.

Watts and his wife, Paula, flew there in summer 2013 to give the dedication sermon at Iglesia Pentecostal Unida, Inc. He said the church’s members were grateful to have the new building.

Soon after, Watts said the amount of money coming into Abundant Life’s building fund doubled and continued to do so over the next two years. The church paid off the $305,000 loan this year and secured a new loan, in the amount of $790,000 for the church’s continued expansion.

Abundant Life broke ground on the expansion project on Jan. 25, a Sunday.  A new building will be attached to the back of the current 3,600-square-foot building, increasing the structure size to 7,050 square feet. This will expand the size of the current sanctuary and include two additional classrooms.

The church’s expansion will increase current capacity limits from 111 to 250 people. 

Watts said church services currently run at 80 percent occupancy.

“Right now we are using everything we have,” he said. “… I am extremely excited to have some room to make it possible to go to multiple services (by increasing the number of weekly services).”

The church’s parking lot also will increase from 42 parking spaces to 97, and the grounds will be improved with more tree canopy and other landscaping beautification projects.

Abundant Life launched its capital stewardship campaign for the building fund Feb. 15 with a theme “Provisions for the Vision.” Each service through March will focus on the reasons for the campaign, Watts said.

Watts worked with professional stewardship campaign company Foundations Consulting to structure the plan. Five church teams are currently working on various parts of the project.

“Some think we could raise half the loan debt in three years,” Watts said. “We’ll have to see how it progresses.”

Deloris Washington, a 73-year-old Indian Trail resident, is a part of the expansion project’s prayer team. Washington was living in Maryland and attending United Pentecostal of Clinton in 2001 when she felt called to move to the Charlotte area.

“I didn’t have any reason to move here,” she said. “… When I connected with Abundant Life Church, I understood my calling – to be a part of this church’s growth.”

Washington moved to Indian Trail in September 2004 and became a part of Abundant Life shortly after.

“My prayer is to see this church enlarge and reach the community … to see the things I’ve prayed for, for many years, come to be – it’s really a dream and prayer and vision come to realization,” Washington said.

Posted in Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, Newspaper, Spirituality and Religion, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment