Articles about Social Well-being

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An ‘economic halo’ for rural churches in North Carolina
   January 11, 2022
Ely Portillo

In small towns across North Carolina, churches function as more than places of fellowship and gathering for people — they’re also de facto economic engines. 

...

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How are Housing Choice Vouchers distributed across Southeastern Cities?
   October 29, 2021
Katie Zager
Providence Adu

This research was used by USA Today for an investigative series called 'Segregated by Section 8.' The series is available online here (subscriber-only...

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Bridging the digital divide in Charlotte
   October 20, 2021
Ely Portillo

This project is part of the third cohort of Gambrell Faculty Fellows. Read about the fellows progam...

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How can we measure the developmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children?
   October 11, 2021
Sydney Idzikowski

Across the United States and around the world, children and families are starting a new school year. Typically a time of excitement and new beginnings, the first day of school has again been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We’ve learned a lot about the virus over the past 18 months. However, the ways in which COVID-19 impacts the youngest children (from birth to age 5),...

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New maps let you explore patterns of income, racial segregation and more
   September 20, 2021
Ely Portillo

Where you live in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County might reflect your race, income, education level, how old you are and even how likely you are to be in an area where eligible streams are adopted for clean-up. 

Newly updated maps from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Quality of Life Explorer let...

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Watch: Health disparities in Charlotte along racial, socioeconomic fault lines
   August 31, 2021

Health and economic mobility are connected, and the burdens of poor health don't fall equally on different groups in our society.

In Charlotte, where you live — along with your race, income and other demographic factors — has a big impact on aspects of health, from access to pharmacies to fresh food and even average age of death. 

On Aug. 26, a panel of local experts convened...

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Overcoming the 'stigma' of riding the bus
   August 23, 2021
Ely Portillo

This story was originally published in the Transit Time newsletter, which is produced in partnership between the Charlotte Urban Institute, the Charlotte Ledger and WFAE. Find out more and ...

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Supporting Charlotte’s minority-owned small businesses
   June 29, 2021
Angelique Gaines

A study released this week by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute sheds light on the unique challenges minority-owned small businesses face and how the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community can better support these enterprises, which are key to community well-being and wealth-building.

Defined as businesses with fewer than 500...

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With Price’s closing, South End loses the last vestige from before “South End”
   June 18, 2021

David Walters

Editor's note: This story originally appeared on Mary Newsom's blog The Naked City. The first three paragraphs are from Newsom. I stood in line two hours today to order chicken from Price’s Chicken Coop, the iconic fried chicken takeout joint on Camden Road in South End that had ...

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Islay Walden’s Uwharries story is relevant today
   June 8, 2021
Ruth Ann Grissom

Here we are in the midst of graduation season. Even though the school experience has been different for the past year, young people are still celebrating this milestone and figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives. In rural areas like the Uwharries, that often means leaving for opportunities in other places. And yet, some find reasons to return....

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