PNC Foundation $25,000 grant supports Single Stop, Emergency Fund

The PNC Foundation has awarded Central Piedmont Community College a $25,000 grant to support the college's Single Stop program, an initiative that connects students to the support services they need to succeed in college and administers the college's Emergency Fund.

"Our entire community has been affected by COVID-19, and the pandemic has been particularly difficult for students who have lost employment and income -- and who depend on campus resources for access to learning and technology," said Weston Andress, PNC regional president for Western Carolinas and a Central Piedmont Foundation board member. "During this challenging time, we want the Central Piedmont student community to know that we understand and are committed to helping address some of the hardships they are facing."

Since 2016, Central Piedmont's Single Stop program has served as a free, on-campus resource, removing barriers for students with critical needs by connecting them with resources to help them flourish academically, obtain good jobs and achieve financial stability -- through one-on-one meetings with experts representing the financial, tax and legal fields.

In addition to matching qualifying students with specific tools to help fuel upward mobility in their lives, Single Stop administers monies available through the college's Emergency Fund, which provides one-time support of up to $500 for students who have emergency needs related to housing, utilities, medical expenses, food, technology and more.

The PNC Foundation's gift is timely. The college will use the grant to help purchase the following items, which have been identified as students' most pressing needs during the coronavirus pandemic:

  • Grocery/food gift cards. These items will allow students to purchase food, medicine and other essential products.
     
  • Technology access (laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots). The college has witnessed a surge in students needing laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots since it moved much of its course instruction online.
     
  • Resources for budgeting during a crisis. Single Stop's financial counselors are implementing and delivering online and virtual sessions for individuals and groups who need crisis budgeting assistance. Each emergency grant recipient is contacted by a financial counselor with tips on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic from a financial perspective.
     

"As a result of the pandemic, the college has witnessed an increase in the number of students needing resources to sustain their everyday lives in addition to their studies," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. "Many agencies in the Charlotte area have had to close temporarily, limiting the resources students can turn to for emergency crisis assistance. The PNC Foundation's gift will help us streamline the connectivity process, ensuring resources such as nutrition assistance, technology support and financial aid reach the students who need them most in a critical time of need."

Learn more about Central Piedmont's Single Stop program. If interested in supporting the college's Emergency Fund, visit https://secure.cpccfoundation.org/donation/.

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

Central Piedmont in First Phase of Bringing Students Back to Campus

Since early March, the college has worked hard to remain safe during the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, while also continuing to help students stay on track and complete their programs of study. Central Piedmont employees and students have contributed to these efforts in many ways:
  • Central Piedmont has entered the first phase in bringing employees and students back to campus. Starting in May, some health careers and commercial driver's license (CDL) students have the opportunity to resume and complete their spring semester classes that were suspended in March. Student Affairs also plans to have some staff members available in Central High and Levine I at limited times to serve current students. In addition, the college plans to bring some construction technologies students back to Harper Campus in June. While on campus, everyone will be working together to remain safe by following new COVID-19 guidelines. Read more about our return to school and what we are doing to protect the health and safety of our students and employees: https://www.cpcc.edu/news/may-8-2020-update-message-college-coronavirus
  • Dr. Jacob Garbini, chair of Central Piedmont's engineering program, and a select group of Associate in Engineering students are working to develop a new face shield prototype for nurses and other health professionals that is based on utility but also includes comfort, cleaning, and assembly: https://www.cpcc.edu/news/engineering-students-help-develop-face-shield-prototype-healthcare-workers-use
  • The Small Business Center at Central Piedmont launched a new initiative -- the Small Business Rebound Program -- to provide small business owners impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with access to advisors who can assist with loan opportunities, new business model designs, and budget evaluations. The program will be available May 11- July 3, 2020: https://www.cpcc.edu/news/small-business-center-launch-c-19-small-business-rebound-program
  • Opportunities to see art in person is limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Central Piedmont is continuing to find ways to provide virtual access to its galleries and events. Many Sensoria events have been adapted for online access and participation (https://sensoria.cpcc.edu/events) and the Gorelick Galleries are being featured in a Happy #FineArtFriday social media blast each Friday afternoon.
In this ever-evolving situation, Central Piedmont will continue to carry out its mission and to serve the community and assist our students in achieving their goals the best we can. 

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Campus, Community, Faculty/Staff, Foundation News, Students. Tagged as covid19response.

$15,000 AT&T Grant to Support Emergency Fund

AT&T has awarded the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation a $15,000 grant in support of the college's Emergency Fund to provide immediate, short-term, financial support to students and employees who have emergency financial needs related to housing, utilities, medical expenses, food, technology and more.

"Thanks to AT&T's gift, the college is better positioned to respond to the growing financial needs of its internal community during this unprecedented time in our history," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. "This gift will help us purchase the technology our students, faculty, and staff need to successfully learn and work remotely and provide them with the financial assistance they need for tuition, books, child care, transportation, medical care, and other needs."

Given the extraordinary disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the college has seen an increase in requests for assistance from students facing a variety of pressing challenges. The pandemic has significantly exacerbated these challenges. AT&T's support expands the college's ability to help students in need at this critical time.

"Just as all our lives have been impacted by COVID-19, everyone can play a part in helping neighbors and communities through these days," said Kathleen Evans, regional director of external affairs for AT&T. "We are pleased to be able to support Central Piedmont in making a difference for students and their families."

Individuals interested in making a gift to Central Piedmont's Emergency Fund can visit cpccfoundation.org/donation.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Foundation News.