Anonymous Donor Gives to Emergency Fund, Issues Matching Gift Challenge

Central Piedmont Community College Foundation is proud to announce an anonymous donor has made a generous and timely commitment that will match all gifts made to the college's Emergency Fund on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $100,000

Central Piedmont's Emergency Fund provides short-term financial support to students and employees experiencing financial emergencies.

"This amazing gift, and the community's response to our donor's matching-gift challenge, will enable us to better respond to the growing financial needs of our students, faculty, and staff during the coronavirus outbreak," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. "These needs include access to the technology needed for remote learning and scholarships for tuition and books, as well as resources for food, housing, child care, transportation, and medical care."

If you're a member of the community who would like to make a gift to Central Piedmont's Emergency Fund, and participate in the matching gift challenge, visit cpccfoundation.org/donation. Your support for the Central Piedmont family will be of enormous assistance as the college works together to meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Students with financial and other needs are invited to email singlestop@cpcc.edu, while Central Piedmont employees can email wecare@cpcc.edu for assistance.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Foundation News, Resources. Tagged as covid19response.

Central Piedmont, Community Partners Package Food for Residents in Need

Central Piedmont Community College's hospitality education program partnered with Sysco Foods and the Piedmont Culinary Guild on March 25 to package and deliver 500 boxes of food to local restaurant employees who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sysco Foods donated 250 cases of food to the community outreach project. The cases consisted of frozen chicken, produce, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy products, such as milk and butter.

Representatives from Central Piedmont, Sysco Foods, and the Piedmont Culinary Guild were on site at Central Piedmont's Culinary Arts Center to receive the cases of food, sort and package the individual boxes, and deliver them to 2530 restaurants located in Mecklenburg County and beyond.

Each box included three to four major food group items, providing local restaurant workers with a nutritious meal for their family during this unprecedented time. Restaurants needing employee assistance signed up to participate in the community outreach project online through the Piedmont Culinary Guild's website.

Thanks are extended to Central Piedmont's Richard Kugelmann, division director of the college's hospitality education division; Ross Howard, director of business resources and marketing for Sysco Foods; and Kris Reid, co-founder of the Piedmont Culinary Guild for spearheading the initiative.

View WSOC-TV's coverage of the community outreach project.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Foundation News, Students.

College Loans Chromebooks, WiFi Hotspots to Students & Employees

Recognizing not everyone has access to technology while they learn and work remotely during this unprecedented time, Central Piedmont has loaned a limited number of Chromebooks and WiFi hotspots -- at no cost -- to approximately 250 students and employees in need. A distribution point, staffed by Central Piedmont employees, has been set up behind the North Classroom building, located on the college's Central Campus.Staff hands chromebooks to student in car

In the weeks and months ahead, students in need will be able to use their assigned device as long as they are enrolled in classes and until the college is able to resume traditional, in-person classes. At that point, computer labs will reopen. Employees will be able to use their loaned equipment until they are able to return to on-campus work.

"Our internal community is our top priority, we understand that everyone may not have the technology needed to complete their studies or work," said Dena Shonts, associate dean for student engagement at Central Piedmont. "Our job is to help them succeed and providing them with the tools to do that is essential."

To be considered for the program, students and employees had to apply online or call the college's Single Stop office.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Foundation News, Resources, Students. Tagged as covid19response.

Central Piedmont Community College - COVID-19 Update

In light of recent COVID-19 developments, the Foundation will modify its in-person staffing and institute telecommuting procedures to continue operations and help maintain the safety of staff.  Beginning immediately, certain Foundation staff will be present in their offices on a rotational basis during the work week and will telecommute on other days; someone will be available each day of the week answer calls and respond to messages and questions.  Other staff members will work exclusively online as a result of public school closures or health concerns.

In accordance with CDC and local guidelines. Foundation events which will gather 50 or more individuals between now and the beginning will be cancelled unless notified otherwise.  Please continue to check this site about the status of upcoming events.

During this challenging, rapidly-evolving period, your understanding and patience are much appreciated.  Thank you for your ongoing support of the Central Piedmont and students.

For the latest updates and announcments from Central Piedmont regarding COVID-19, please visit the college's coronavirus information information page.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Campus, Community, Foundation News, Resources.

Alumni Spotlight: Laterria Lassiter '16

Laterria is pronounced La-Terra. Although the "I" is silent, she is not silent when it comes to advocating for children in Charlotte.

She graduated from Central Piedmont in 2016 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. 

"I believe that Central Piedmont is the best college in the country," Laterria says, "I am extremely grateful for the connections created during my time spent there."

While her degree prepared her for her career, being a mother to her five children inspired her to speak out against injustice in education. 

Laterria works at Open Door School, a progressive preschool at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte. Her work at the school also includes passionately advocating for early childhood education to those in government who would like to improve it, such as North Carolina Senator Jeff Jackson who visited the school in 2018. 

In 2019, Laterria started a business where she offers support to families with childcare, home care, and adult care needs. She offers special support to other caregivers through a program under the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). She interned at the NDWA to learn how to advocate for issues that affect care workers in adult-care facilities and in childcare centers.

Laterria attributes her success to her faith. She is a member of Flowing Life Church and Outreach Center, and takes every opportunity to give back to the community. 

She also values the community of educators she met during her time at Central Piedmont.

"I continue to stay connected with my Central Piedmont instructors," Laterria says, "we work to find ways to enrich the life of educators so they can speak up for children whose voice is often unheard."

Share your own Central Piedmont journey and successes to be considered for a future spotlight.
 

Posted in Alumni, Foundation News. Tagged as alumni spotlight, alumni success.