Our Partners

We believe in “community”.  It takes a lot of like-minded folks to get the job done.  The Spokes Group works with some high energy – high integrity groups to put kids on bikes.

THE SALVATION ARMY OF GREATER CHARLOTTE   Since 1905, The Salvation Army has provided Christmas for families in need in the Charlotte community.   The Spokes Group has been part of that outreach for the past 19 years.   Families that come to the Christmas Bureau are given a chance to “spin” for a new bike

In 2012 we saw a record 250 families per day registering for Christmas assistance! Throughout October and into the first week of November, the line of families registering their children for the Angel Tree program wrapped around the building of The Salvation Army Christmas Center.

The families that are served through The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte are local families from Mecklenburg and Union counties. Many are single moms and dads, working hard to simply try to provide for their families. Some are children who live with grandparents, relatives, or caregivers. Others are unemployed parents, struggling to stay financially afloat. We also register senior citizens who are desperately stretching every penny they have.

Times have certainly changed since our first Christmas but we are still the first call for families in need of assistance. Each year The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte seeks to bring the real spirit of Christmas to families through a variety of programs. The Christmas Bureau

Since 1979, The Christmas Bureau has existed as a joint effort between The Charlotte Observer’s Empty Stocking Fund, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and The United Way of Central Carolinas, Inc.  Together, we serve as a clearinghouse for those in need and those seeking to help others during the Christmas season.

RIGHT MOVES FOR YOUTH was started in 1989 and incorporated in 1993 by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Dave Scheppegrell and Charlotte businessman Frank Bragg.

Officer Scheppegrell conceived the idea of working with students in a club setting to provide them with the encouragement and resources they needed to be successful, and rewarding them with the encouragement and resources they needed to be successful, and rewarding them for their accomplishments.  The success of the first boys’ club established at Marie G. Davis Elementary School in 1989, prompted him to expand the program to other schools.

Frank Bragg began working with Officer Scheppegrell and his clubs in 1993.  Under Bragg’s guidance and leadership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to operate the clubs was organized and incorporated as Right Moves for Youth, and the program quickly spread to other school sites.  Right Moves for Youth now operates clubs in dozens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, serving up to 3,000 students each year.

Supported by the United Way of the Central Carolinas, corporations, foundations, and generous individuals who are passionate about our mission, Right Moves for Youth collaborates with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and other community partners to help our club members improve their school attendance, behavior and academic performance.

We have historically worked with students in grades 4-12.  In 2011 the Right Moves for Youth Board of Directors and staff determined that there needed to be greater emphasis placed on the needs of our middle and high school students.  The program will be serving students in grades 6-12 starting in the Fall of 2011.

TRIPS FOR KIDS CHARLOTTE  is a non-profit organization that provides mentoring through bicycling experiences.  In alliance with other organizations, TFKC targets 10-15 year old children of need within the Charlotte area.

The TFKC vision is to use bicycling as the tool to prepare kids for success. TFKC experiences focus kids on:

  • Respect
  • Honesty
  • Teamwork
  • Overcoming Challenges
  • Healthy and SafeLlifestyles
  • Service

These experiences equip kids with tools for building positive accomplishments and relationships in their communities and in their lives.