On this episode of Community Connections, we visit with a group of young men from the University of Memphis who came to Charlotte to help serve our community by building a storage shed for a local non-profit's transitional housing facility. Follow along as guest host Scott W. Peterson learns about Empowered Men of Color, their mission, and what brought them to Charlotte to help our city. Brought to you by our friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc. @lifeconnectionsinc.2723 #charlottenc #charlottenews #charlottenorthcarolina #movingtocharlotte #charlotte #empoweredmenofcolor #universityofmemphis

Guest host Chablis Dandridge takes a tour of an amazing community doing great work creating and sustaining a "Circular Economy" in Charlotte! Come along as we hear from Envision Charlotte's Amy Aussieker and learn about this non-profit's efforts to provide education, inspiration, and a plan to bring together individuals, businesses, government, and whole communities to help create a better future. #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #envisioncharlotte #charlottecity #innovationibarnclt

In January 2023 a very special event took place in the Charlotte suburb of Matthews, North Carolina. The first ever Matthews Comicon was a screaming success on all counts and served as a fund-raiser for The Matthews Help Center. Check out the raw footage we shot covering the costume contest in this show and then be sure to check out our full feature on The Matthews Help Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HpITOPI7kY This video is brought to you by our dear friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas. Please visit them at www.lifeconnections.us #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #charlottecomicon #comicons #comicon ABOUT THE MATTHEWS HELP CENTER: https://matthewshelpcenter.org/ To provide short-term crisis assistance to our neighbors in the Greater Matthews community. Our Vision A self-sufficient, thriving community for all. Our Values Hope: We serve as a bridge to a better quality of life Empathy: We approach each interaction with kindness and compassion to seek to understand the uniqueness of every situation Love: We treat each other with respect, dignity and listen without judgement Partnership: We engage with the community to empower our clients to overcome their current crisis and be better prepared for tomorrow.

Guest Host Scott W. Peterson visits The Matthews Help Center to learn about their decades of service to the people of this region of the Charlotte metro area. Scott interviews Sandra Rose Conway, Executive Director, and Susan Ross, Director of Development. He also takes a tour of the entire facility and gives a preview of the 2023 Matthews Comicon, which served as a massive fund-raising event for the Help Center. This video is brought to you by our dear friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas. Please visit them at www.lifeconnections.us #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte Please be sure to visit Scott at his company's website: www.brokenleginc.com ABOUT OUR FEATURED GUESTS: https://matthewshelpcenter.org/ To provide short-term crisis assistance to our neighbors in the Greater Matthews community. Our Vision A self-sufficient, thriving community for all. Our Values Hope: We serve as a bridge to a better quality of life Empathy: We approach each interaction with kindness and compassion to seek to understand the uniqueness of every situation Love: We treat each other with respect, dignity and listen without judgement Partnership: We engage with the community to empower our clients to overcome their current crisis and be better prepared for tomorrow.

Host/Producer Sam Ettaro and cameraman Jonathan Harrison take to South Charlotte to visit with the founder (Chen Correll) and crew of a non-profit organization that takes care of lawn work and yard maintenance for families in need... free of charge! Visit www.oneyardaway.org This video is brought to you by our dear friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas. Please visit them at www.lifeconnections.us #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte

Sam Ettaro introduces his friend Jonathan Harrison during a drive-about after the two complete a shoot for CharlotteNOW.TV. Jonathan shares his thoughts about the importance of what they are doing to share the stories of people in the Charlotte area and his thoughts on main-stream media. #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte

Host Sam Ettaro introduces viewers to a new free program that helps youth and family members heal through the power of music therapy! Piedmont Music Therapy, LLC of Charlotte is partnering with the Arts & Science Council of Mecklenburg County to provide this program. Sam's special guest for this episode is music therapist Gretchen Chardos Benner who comes on to explain what music therapy is and to share how the public can take advantage of this opportunity. To Learn More and Register Visit: https://www.piedmontmusictherapy.com/asc-info.html #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #musictherapy THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSOR: www.lifeconnections.us ABOUT OUR GUEST: Gretchen Chardos Benner is a nationally board certified music therapist and licensed social worker who earned her bachelor of science and arts degrees with honors in Music Therapy and Viola Performance, in addition to a Psychology minor from Duquesne University. She completed her certification board test after an intensive, ten-month music therapy internship in Cleveland, OH. Training locations included Shaker Heights Middle & High Schools, The Cleveland Music School Settlement, and The Cleveland Clinic: Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Care. Her master’s degree in social work was earned from the University of Pittsburgh with a direct practice concentration. In 2012, Gretchen became a licensed social worker for the state of Pennsylvania and a year later, she became licensed in South Carolina. Prior to establishing Piedmont Music Therapy, Gretchen worked for more than four years at a community hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serving adults with mental health and dependency issues. In addition to facilitating group therapy sessions, she developed and coordinated volunteer performers for an ongoing Live Lobby Music Program benefitting patients, visitors, staff and doctors. Gretchen Chardos Benner returned to the Piedmont Region in order to live closer to family. Research interests include Professional Development within the field of music therapy, and the Sociological Considerations of Individuals Transitioning through Educational and Professional Roles. She continues to perform on the viola in a variety of venues. She recently worked as adjunct faculty at Queens University of Charlotte as a Music Therapy Practicum Supervisor and served as Past President of The Music Therapy Association of South Carolina. Gretchen is grateful to serve the Carolinas with her talented team of music therapists and support access to creative and expressive arts. Gretchen is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.

Host Sam Ettaro hits the streets of Charlotte's South End neighborhood to take in Shop Small Saturday hosted by Charlotte Center City Partners. Nov 26th, 2022 www.charlottecentercity.org www.southendclt.org #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #charlottesouthend #charlotteshopping #southendclt #charlottenc #clt #thingstodoclt #charlottesgotalot #thingstodoclt #shopsmallsaturdays #smallbusinesssaturdays #shopsmallclt #thisweekenclt #thingstodoclt #shoppingclt #southendshopping #cltshopping #retailclt #cltlocal #localclt #locaclshopping #holidayshopping #holidayshoppingclt #cltholidays #holidaysclt #christmasclt