Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations: Community Affairs Division – Charlotte, NC

Problem/Rationale: In 2016, amid civil unrest and rising student behavior concerns, Charlotte recognized the need for sustainable programs to repair relationships between community and law enforcement and to address a growing youth violence issue. More recently, the city has seen increases in violent crimes, including shootings by younger offenders, with over 100 juvenile offenders and nearly 500 juvenile victims in the first half of last year. Youth in disadvantaged communities also face barriers to educational, health, career, and professional resources, fueling cycles of inequality.

Goals:

• Empower, collaborate, engage, and promote opportunities that create positive outcomes for youth.
• Build productive, trusting relationships between youth and adults (including law enforcement).
• Provide safe, flexible spaces for youth to practice conflict resolution, communication, civic engagement, and leadership.
• Reduce in-school suspensions, truancy, and improve academic outcomes.
• Increase access and inclusion by addressing transportation, funding, and language barriers; support immigrant and LGBTQ+ youth.
• Connect youth to civic leaders, local government, and career pathways; create seamless transitions to other city programs (e.g., MYEP).

Project Summary:

Program Development & Structure. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations (the human relations agency for the City and County) advances police-community relations, engagement and outreach, diversity, equity and inclusion, youth programs, partnerships, and community harmony. The Community Affairs Division launched youth programming in 2016 with two coordinators focused on middle schools; the scope quickly expanded to address youth violence across more grades and settings. Close partnership with CMPD enables programs that both strengthen relationships and equip youth with non-violent conflict skills.

Core Youth Programs.

• Peer Club Program & Peer Mediation Program provide safe, conversational sessions covering conflict resolution, communication, civic engagement, leadership, and timely topics tied to current events and youth concerns. Trust-building is intentional: sessions begin with group guidelines and mutual buy-in; conversations pair expression with practical skills and solutions.
• Youth Experiences expand cultural awareness and connection to Charlotte through field trips and summer events that introduce local government, civic leadership, career readiness, education, and the arts. Participation is tied to meeting program expectations.
• Civic Engagement & Leadership offers a half-day, interactive program (for students who’ve completed other city youth offerings) to connect with city leaders and partners, develop problem-solving and communication skills, and explore careers—culminating with demonstrations and a “test your knowledge” game.

Inclusion & Equity. Barriers to access are actively mitigated: transportation is provided, sponsors are engaged for funding, staff assist with interview prep, and coordinators mentor youth—including home visits during remote learning. Programs reach public and charter schools, youth organizations, and refugee communities; language access is provided through partners, and a bilingual coordinator supports immigrant youth. Community Affairs also partners with nonprofits offering wraparound services to LGBTQ+ youth and organizations addressing intimate partner violence and trauma.

Partnerships. Community Affairs collaborates continually with CMPD (joint youth activities, de-escalation and conflict-resolution programming), the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (to create seamless college/career pathways), and cross-sector partners. With Potions & Pixels, the team co-developed Defenders of the QC (Queen City), a superhero-themed conflict-resolution game. Additional support comes from Bojangles, Walmart, Rodgers Building, Rack Room Shoes, Charlotte Fire Department, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Atrium Health, Mecklenburg County, and others.

Engagement Strategies:

• Community conversations/dialogues in safe, youth-centered spaces (Peer Club, Peer Mediation).
• Trust building through consistent relationships, group guidelines, and mutual buy-in.
• Leadership programs and hands-on civic exposure (half-day civic engagement session).
• Neighborhood events/activities and field trips to connect youth with Charlotte’s institutions and opportunities.
• Engaging non-English speakers and traditionally marginalized groups (immigrant and LGBTQ+ youth; refugee community).
• Partnering with residents, schools, nonprofits, local government, and CMPD.
• Embedding a culture of engagement with flexible, responsive session topics.

Outcomes:

• Positive feedback from school administrators; observed reductions in in-school suspensions and truancy, with improvements in academics among participants.
• Student participation has doubled over the last couple of years to 250+ students across 16+ schools.
• Approximately 50 students participated in field trips last year.
• 100+ students have taken part in the half-day Civic Engagement & Leadership program.
• Student reflections indicate improved conflict management, use of coping skills, and future-oriented decision-making.

“After being in this program, I handle conflict a lot better because I used to get mad a lot, but I feel like the program has taught me the steps to calm down and walk away from certain situations.” — Student, Peer Club

“I think about what I want to be in my future… I refer back to the coping skills and advice that we learned from the group.” — Student, Peer Club