Phone 704-372-4663

News

Come Celebrate Success with Crittenton!

Join us for our annual fundraising event to learn about the transformative work we do each day to Create Better Tomorrows for girls, women and their families.

You’ll hear inspiring stories and learn about Crittenton’s role in promoting success, health and equity in our community.

Creating Better Tomorrows Breakfast

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

8:00am – 9:00am

Check-in begins at 7:30am

Goodwill Opportunity Campus

5301 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208

Please RSVP here by April 30th.

We are excited to partner with Goodwill to hold our 2023 Creating Better Tomorrows Breakfast fundraiser at their state-of-the-art Opportunity Campus. Please note that doors will open at 7:30am for check-in and serving breakfast. The program will begin at 8:00am and will conclude at 9:00am.
Learn more about the Goodwill Opportunity Campus here.

Can’t attend but still want to support Crittenton? Donate today to support girls, women, and their families. We are grateful for your support.

Questions? Contact Dazia at 704.372.4663 or dmiller@crittentonofnc.org 

Crittenton will be hosting a Virtual Fundraiser on Wednesday, June 9th from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EDT.

Each year, Crittenton holds an annual luncheon at Myers Park United Methodist Church that attracts more than 300 attendees. This year, however, we are switching it up by hosting a virtual fundraiser.

Hear empowering stories and an interview from WSOC-TV Channel 9 News Anchor, Erica Bryant and Novant Health’s Chief Health Equity Officer, Dr. Chere M. Gregory to learn about Crittenton’s role in promoting health equity in our community. Find out how you can make a difference, too!

Register HERE, or call Kamaria Clifton at 704-372-4663 for more information.

Florence Crittenton Services honored Sonja Gantt with the Lucille P. Giles Award at the annual Transforming Lives Luncheon on May 7, 2019.

Sonja Gantt is the executive director of the CMS Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Not only did Sonja grow up in Charlotte — she also served the majority of her 30-year media career as a reporter/anchor covering Mecklenburg County. Sonja’s community service over the years supports her role with the CMS Foundation, which works closely with local corporations, private foundations and community groups.

As the leader of the CMS Foundation, Sonja manages the organization’s staff and fundraising strategy and oversees its programmatic focus areas. She also serves as a member of the school district’s executive leadership team, a role that gives her deep insight into both the challenges and opportunities within Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. This insight helps inform how the CMS Foundation supports the school district and where it focuses philanthropic investments.

Sonja served on the Florence Crittenton Services (FCS) Board of Diectors for two terms, 1997-2000 and 2001-2004. As a board member Sonja brought her knowledge, dedication and enthusiasm for serving others. Florence Crittenton Services gives the Lucille P. Giles award to an individual with outstanding commitment to human and social concerns, who has demonstrated a true passion for the work done at FCS. Sonja Gantt is a true community advocate and we are proud to recognize her as this year’s recipient.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah Hyde, Director of Development

Phone: 704-372-4663

Email: shyde@fcsnc.org

Website: www.fcsnc.org

Rabbi Judy Schindler honored by Florence Crittenton Services

Director of the Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice

at Queens University Awarded 2018 Lucille Giles Award

 

(May 18, 2018) On Tuesday, May 15, Rabbi Judith Schindler, Director of the Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice at Queens University of Charlotte, was awarded Florence Crittenton Services’ (FCS) Lucille Giles Award at the FCS Annual Luncheon. This award is given to an individual with outstanding commitment to human and social concerns, who has supported the women and children served by Florence Crittenton’s programs.

Florence Crittenton Services offers safe housing to pregnant and non-pregnant women and adolescents, where they are provided a continuum of care, focusing on counseling, health care, and vocational/educational services. The Charlotte agency has served over 40,000 individuals since it was established in 1903. Funds raised at the Annual Luncheon are used to maintain and strengthen the agency’s comprehensive services throughout all programs.

Rabbi Schindler has supported Florence Crittenton Services for many years and served on the FCS Board of Directors from 2003-2006.

During her acceptance speech at the 2018 FCS Annual Luncheon, Rabbi Schindler said “Florence Crittenton was built on taking trauma and tragedy and turning it into blessings and new life. It is here where we turn things around and turn a painful past into a bright and blessed future.”

In addition to her support of FCS, she has displayed compassion and dedication to social justice in many of her other life choices. Rabbi Schindler was named Rabbi Emerita of Temple Beth El in Charlotte, North Carolina after serving from 1998-2016. Prior to coming to Charlotte, she was an Associate Rabbi at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, New York.

Rabbi Schindler envisioned and led the creation of four social justice documentaries being utilized across the country and has contributed chapters and articles to more than ten books.

Rabbi Schindler is now a contributing columnist for the Charlotte Observer. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice, is co-chair of the Rabbinic Council of the Association of Reform Zionists of America and is a Trustee of the Reform Pension Board. She is past co-chair of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, served on the Board of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Coalition for Housing, and as co-chair of the Clergy Council of MeckMin.

“We are honored to recognize Rabbi Judy Schindler as the recipient of this year’s Lucille Giles Award,” said Diane Thompson, CEO of FCS, “She has been a long-time supporter of the agency and is a true example of how to live our core values of Compassion, Hope, Accountability, Inclusion and Respect.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah Hyde, Director of Development and PR or Diane Thompson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Phone: 704-372-4663

Email: shyde@fcsnc.org; dthompson@fcsnc.org

Website: www.fcsnc.org

PAT RODGERS to be Honored by Florence Crittenton Services

President and CEO of Rodgers Builders recipient of Lucille Giles Award

 

(April 17, 2017) On May 9, 2017, Patricia Rodgers, President of Rodgers Builders, will be awarded Florence Crittenton Services’ (FCS) Lucille Giles Award at the FCS Annual Luncheon. This award is given to an individual with outstanding commitment to human and social concerns, who has  supported the women and children served by Florence Crittenton’s programs.

 

Pat Rodgers served on the Florence Crittenton Board of Directors from 1995-1998 and 1998-2001. She served as Board Chair from 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, as did her late husband B.D. Rodgers in 1983-1984 and 1992-1993. Pat has been a longtime supporter of the comprehensive programs that empower and equip the women and children in crisis served by FCS. Rodgers is an annual event sponsor of the Annual Luncheon and has hosted a charity golf tournament benefiting FCS for eight years: The B.D. Rodgers Memorial Golf Tournament.

 

Florence Crittenton Services is a nonprofit organization that offers pregnant adolescent girls and women, of any age, safe housing, and prenatal care through delivery of their baby, along with a continuum of care, focused on counseling, health care, and vocational and educational services. The agency was established in Charlotte in 1903 and has served 40,000 women and children and their families since.

 

Funds raised at the Annual Luncheon are used to maintain and strengthen the agency’s comprehensive services throughout all programs. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016 40% of the women admitted to FCS had no prenatal care at the time of admission, 66% were homeless, 48% of FCS clients had documented mental health issues.

 

“Pat Rodgers has been supporting Florence Crittenton Services for many years, and I could not be more excited to honor the work she has done for our young girls and women,” said Diane Thompson, CEO of FCS. “Though we could never thank her enough, the Lucille Giles Award will allow us to formally recognize her for her support. Pat’s dedication to FCS—and by extension, our community—has provided so much Health and Hope for those in need.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah Hyde, Director of Development and PR

or Diane Thompson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Phone: 704-372-4663

Email: shyde@fcsnc.org; dthompson@fcsnc.org

Website: www.fcsnc.org

 

FLORENCE CRITTENTON AWARDED $100,000 FROM MECKLENBURG COUNTY ABC BOARD

ABC Funds Are Used for Substance Abuse Education and Recovery

 

(January 12, 2017) Florence Crittenton Services’ (FCS) partnership continues with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board. Funds awarded from the Mecklenburg County ABC Board are used to strengthen the agency’s Generations of Impact Program, which educates our young girls and women and those struggling with substance abuse. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016, 39% of clients admitted to FCS had substance abuse or addiction issues. Funding from the Mecklenburg County ABC Board allows FCS to continue providing substance abuse prevention services to the agency’s high-risk population.

Florence Crittenton Services is a nonprofit organization that offers pregnant adolescent girls and women, of any age, safe housing, and prenatal care through delivery of their baby, along with a continuum of care, focused on counseling, health care, and vocational and educational services. The agency was established in Charlotte in 1903 and has served 40,000 women and children and their families since.

Since 1948, the Mecklenburg County ABC Board has invested back into the communities in which it serves, with this Grant Program coming into existence in 1996 and distributing over $58 million dollars to organizations that “prevent, educate on the dangers of, and treat substance abuse.”

“We know that with the proper intervention, our young girls and women—even those struggling with problems as complex as substance abuse—have a great chance of becoming independent individuals,” said Diane Thompson, CEO of FCS. “This partnership and funding from the Mecklenburg County ABC Grant Program helps us continue to give two generations Health & Hope.”

Florence Crittenton’s Program Administrator Gayle Butterfield added, “Substance abuse may affect our clients or members of their families. This grant from the Mecklenburg County ABC Board allows us to give our clients tools to combat substance abuse, be healthy and have healthy children.”

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GYMNASTICS COMPETITION RAISES $5,284 for FLORENCE CRITTENTON SERVICES

Perfect Balance Training Center Also Donates to Agency for the Holidays

 

(December 22, 2016) Florence Crittenton Services’ (FCS) annual gymnastics meet Empowering Determined Girls Everywhere (EDGE) took place from October 21, 2016 to October 23, 2016 at Perfect Balance Training Center and raised $5,284 for the young girls and women at FCS. This year, EDGE featured 13 teams that competed in gymnastics events like the balance beam and floor exercises. Staff and supporters of Perfect Balance also donated gifts to FCS for the girls to have Christmas gifts.

Florence Crittenton Services is a nonprofit organization that offers pregnant adolescent girls and women, of any age, safe housing, and prenatal care through delivery of their baby, along with a continuum of care, focused on counseling, health care, and vocational and educational services. For the 9th year in a row, 100% of FCS babies were born drug-free. The agency was established in Charlotte in 1903 and has served 40,000 women and children and their families since.

“This is our second year participating in EDGE and we are excited to see how it grows in the coming years, giving local gymnasts an opportunity to do what they love while supporting their community,” said Diane Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of FCS. “We always enjoy putting on a new event and attracting and building new relationships with supporters of the work we do at Florence Crittenton.”

Florence Crittenton’s Director of Development Sarah Hyde added, “My hope is that this event will continue to raise critical funds that allow us to serve our clients struggling with very complex challenges stemming from various traumas. We feel so fortunate that Perfect Balance has joined us in our mission to provide Health and Hope to those girls and women in need in our community.”

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We are excited to say here at Florence Crittenton Services (FCS) that we have completed our challenge grant from The Leon Levine Foundation, securing $50,000 in funding. On behalf of the young girls and women we serve, our Board of Directors, and our staff, we would like to share a sincere thank you to all of our supporters in the community who made this possible. Your continued dedication to young girls and women in need will help to empower and equip them with the resources they need to be self-sufficient.

 

In honor of our 110th anniversary of serving women, girls, children, and families, we will post 1 story a day for then next 110 days written by current and past clients, volunteers, staff, and anyone who has been impacted by the indelible presence of Florence Crittenton Services of North Carolina.

Never underestimate that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead

Our community can help stem the tide of criminality

From Tracy Hanna Hewett, Mecklenburg County Assistant Public Defender:

What if I told you that my career goal is to run out customers? And further, that I am working hard to achieve this goal? You would probably immediately, and correctly, assume that I do not sell cars or insurance.

Then, you might, incorrectly, assume that my job does not depend on serving customers. In fact, I have served over 11,000 customers in my career as a public defender. Some customers brought new customers who, occasionally, were their offspring. And I am trying to stem the tide.

My customers, or clients, are poor and have been charged with crimes that range from misdemeanor trespassing to habitual felony breaking and entering. By the way, I am a real lawyer and love my job, which some have called “the Lord’s work.” In addition, I am a long-time member of this community and want my family, which now includes a 6-month-old grandson, to be safe.

The community has a vested interest in helping me stem the tide.

Guided by research on the subject, I have determined that there is a place to begin: the womb. This is the essential starting point, not only to stem the tide of criminality but also to reduce or eliminate the social ills that are both cause and effect of my continued customer base. That is why I have been an active board member and supporter of Florence Crittenton for over six years.

Florence Crittenton has a name that sounds old because it is old. In 1903 the organization was a “home for unwed mothers,” most of whom did not keep their babies. By 2013, this nationally accredited organization will have provided comprehensive services to nearly 40,000 high-risk single, pregnant adolescents and women, and their children. The statistics are daunting: 95 percent choose to parent but are economically and environmentally disadvantaged; 94 percent report history of child abuse, domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

The outcomes are no less than amazing for the mothers: 100 percent of adolescents enrolled in school or education-based programs; 91 percent excelled on parenting competence skills; 82 percent avoid repeat unplanned pregnancies during the first year of follow-up. As the mother’s prenatal care, safe and healthy environment and education improves, so does that of their babies: 100 percent born drug-free over the last five years with an average birth weight of 7 lbs. 7oz.

On Tuesday, Florence Crittenton will hold its annual fundraiser and honor Judge Lou Trosch, a man whose influence goes well beyond the borders of this county and state. Judge Trosch has improved the lives of families and children since his appointment to the Mecklenburg County bench in 1999. Judge Trosch has been an agent of change in this community by virtue of his vision and implementation of programs that educate, inform and support mothers, not only empowering them to become productive citizens but to provide a future full of hope and health for their babies.

If the picture of healthier, happier moms and babies alone doesn’t move you to action, maybe this will: A single healthy baby saves $4 million in potential lifelong costs to taxpayers, compared to a baby born with a low birth weight, addictions or other health issues. I hope you will help us honor Judge Trosch and continue the amazing work of Florence Crittenton.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/14/3234821/our-community-can-help-stem-the.html#storylink=cpy