Strive Clt Inc

Other program services Strategic Planning. A significant process near the end of 2024 to enhance our program planning, implementation, and delivery of mission programs and services was the StriveCLT Board?s decision to undergo a strategic planning process to strengthen our nonprofit. A consultant was hired to guide us through a SWOT Analysis and after several meetings and interactions with board members, StriveCLT staff, and community partners, developed a recommended 5-year plan that will help order our steps to improve our operations and program services, going forward.

Civic and Community Engagement. To foster greater interest and participation in the election of officials that represent them, StriveCLT set up a voters? education table during a Southside Homes sponsored Back to School event. A StriveCLT board member who chairs the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections made arrangement to have specialized equipment set up during the event to provide free Photo ID?s on the spot to any SSH resident who was interested. The Director of the Mecklenburg Board of Elections also participated in the event. Prior to the national elections in November 2024, StriveCLT developed and distributed 400 doorhangers to each Southside Homes household with customized non-partisan voter?s education information.

Digital and Financial Literacy Computer Literacy Classes for Adults. In 2024, StriveCLT launched computer classes to help close the digital divide for adult residents living in Southside Homes (SH). Based on a request from the Charlotte Housing Authority, aka, Inlivian, we targeted seniors ? residents 62 years of age and older ? the group that had been the most vocal in not being able to navigate Inlivian?s newly installed technology portal though which SSH residents were supposed to conduct all manner of business transactions related to their income-based apartment at Southside Homes. After meeting with residents to hear their concerns, fears, needs for small classes, and desires to not be overwhelmed by computer instruction, we hired a digital literacy instructor experienced in working with older adults who had designed a class primarily for those with little to no experience in using laptops. She conducted 1 ? hour long classes for five weeks focused on the basics of computers, emails, and the Inlivian portal. The first laptop practice involved learning the keyboard and how to use a mouse. After 5 weeks of classroom instruction, we held a mock graduation with each cohort and presented residents with a certificate of training and their own free laptop (refurbished), courtesy of two community partners. Strive CLT donated a laptop sleeve or case for each resident and Inlivian provided incentive checks of $50 to each. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library was invited to have a representative speak at each last class in a series to share information about the abundance of free computer classes at the county library branches that residents can visit to continue building their digital skills. The Library also donated additional computer accessories like flash drives and computer screen cleaners. The first class was so well-received that the Inlivian PR department made a video of the class graduation and it was presented by the CEO at one of their board meetings where the StriveCLT Executive Director was invited to speak about the computer literacy program. We were also invited to become a vendor with Inlivian and branch out with the computer classes to other family properties similar to Southside Homes. Three small group classes were held in 2024, providing skilling for 26 adults. A total of 37 have been trained to date, with all receiving free laptops and computer accessories upon completing the course. Financial Literacy was the first service program offered by our nonprofit in partnership with Inlivian. StriveCLT Board members with financial backgrounds volunteered to teach mini-workshops on financial literacy to provide guidance to applicants seeking affordable rental homes with vouchers through Inlivian. Approximately 45 such individuals attended presentations in 2024 conducted by the StriveCLT board volunteers, speaking on topics such as budgeting and spending, credit reports and scores, and saving and financial goals. As a result of those presentations, Inlivan has asked StriveCLT to develop an expanded financial literacy program that can be taught in a series of classes throughout the year. We have begun piloting an interactive virtual option with 4 classes to be taught as part of a series and will be further evaluating the preferred delivery model (virtual vs in-person) to attract maximum small group participation.