Enrichment centers serving children in east Charlotte call on community for help, funding

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There is an urgent call Friday for help and funding from three enrichment centers serving children in east Charlotte.

Their programs help support students with remote learning during the school day.

It’s also a resource for parents who can’t afford to stay home from work.

But they’re calling on the city to help with funding and asking the community to step up to support students most at risk of being left behind.

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“Our concern is those children who are already struggling, and have been out of school since March with remote learning. Those children are falling even further behind,” said Pearlie Cureton-Thomas, with UMBA Bright Stars.

The organizations include UMBA Bright Stars, Your Destiny Learning Center and Raise a Child Incorporated, all serving the east Charlotte community.

A lot of parents will be looking for child care options this school year, so the state of North Carolina has set up a hotline. The number is 888-600-1685. It will give parents options for child care from infants to 12-year-olds. The hotline is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.