Promenade of Charlotte, Inc. has given $20,000 to The Relatives to support On Ramp, a program to help youth become successfully independent adults.
The mission of The Relatives is to keep kids safe, families together, and reduce the incidence of juvenile crime in our community. The Relatives serves young people who are experiencing crises due to homelessness and family discord, as well as those who have aged out of our public systems, and lack the skills and support necessary to function as independent and productive adults.
The Relatives crisis center, provides a safe place and supportive resources for youth 7- 17 who often have no other place to go. The On Ramp program works closely with young adults 16-24 years old, to help develop and implement comprehensive strategies to ensure success during their transition from youth to adults. The newest service, Journey Place provides a semi-independent environment for young adults who have aged out of foster care to fully develop the essential skills required to live successfully as adults.
Awarded October 6, 2011 by Elizabeth Erdle, Executive Director and Marcie Shealy, Promenade Board President , this gift supports a community organization that provides the support and structure that these youth need to become successfully independent.
Promenade is thrilled to sponsor teens in the On Ramp program who might otherwise have nowhere to turn.
“The Relatives, and specifically the On Ramp program, was the unanimous choice of our board to receive this gift. Since Promenade serves teens, we wanted to make our donation to an organization that also served teens. The money donated is a result of increased Promenade participation over the past several years. It is our hope to be able to do this again in the foreseeable future,” said Elizabeth Erdle, Promenade’s Executive Director.
Promenade of Charlotte, Inc. offers ballroom dance classes, light manners tips and etiquette dinners to middle school students living in the neighborhoods of Dilworth, Myers Park, Eastover, Plaza Midwood, Elizabeth and Cotswold. Promenade high school students are invited to an annual Holidays Promenade dance. Promenade has been operating in Charlotte for 57 years.