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Connect Our Future
Vibrant Communities - Robust Region

CONNECT Our Future logo
 
Vibrant Communities - Robust Region
If you live, work, or play in the 14 county region that includes Charlotte, your input is wanted! Please feel free to share with friends and family and forward the links to your contacts.
 
"CONNECT Our Future" is a process through which communities, counties, businesses, educators, non-profits and other organizations work together to grow jobs and the economy, improve quality of life and control the cost of government. This process will create a regional growth framework developed through extensive community engagement and built on what communities identify as existing conditions, future plans and needs, and potential strategies. It is supported by a $4.9 million HUD Sustainable Communities Grant and $3 million in local in-kind public and private matching resources.
 
The CONNECT Our Future three-year process will engage public, private and non-profit organizations across the 14-county region. It is based on, and builds from, the region's CONNECT vision. To learn more, visit the website or the e-newsletter for more activities in April. To voluntarily add your voice, take this short survey.

The final product of the CONNECT Our Future process – the growth framework – will help to ensure the region can match growth with good quality jobs, transportation, quality housing that is affordable, clean water, improved air quality and other social and physical infrastructure improvements.
 
More than 100 local governments, businesses, and non-profits participating are participating in CONNECT Our Future. The February open houses are the last of 30 held throughout the region in this first phase of public engagement. More events and workshops will be held this summer.

The CONNECT Our Future Federal Grant is administered by the Centralina Council of Governments in partnership with the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, both of which are helping to coordinate, facilitate and staff the process. 
 
Contact:  Sushil Nepal
Centralina Council of Governments
704-688-6509 or email for more information.
 

Fraud Alerts

Senior Fraud Alerts are available on the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services website
 
Fraud Alert:  Text Messages That Prompt Recipients To Call Regarding Issues with Their Debit Card
Sheila Ewers with Southern Bank shares the following warning about text messages that appear to be from the recipient’s bank.  The messages contain some features that make it appear they come from a local number.
 
Text messages that prompt recipients to call regarding issues with their debit card. The message does not reference a particular bank, so anyone with a debit card may believe there is a problem and call the number provided. These texts are an attempt to obtain your debit card number, expiration date and PIN in order to perpetrate fraud against your account. DO NOT reply to this text or call the number provided; simply delete the message.
 
The text originator appears to have the area code and first 3 numbers of the recipient’s phone followed by @detext.com. The body of the text reads:
[smiOneprepaid] Please call 877-673-7393 to verify an issue with your debit card
 
Southern Bank and Trust Company does not issue text messages to notify customers of issues with their accounts or debit cards. 
4/2013

North Carolina Department of Justice
Avoid Scams
 
Home Repair Scams:
  1. Be very skeptical of unsolicited offers for home repairs, especially if the contractor comes to your door and says the job needs to be done right away.
  2. After a disaster, beware of scammers who come to your home posing as government officials or insurance adjusters.  Contact the government agency or your insurance company to verify before you let them inside or have work done.
  3. When you need work done on your home, ask friends for recommendations.  Get written estimates from the contactors you are considering.  Before hiring a contractor, check their references, insurance and license.
    • General contractors - website or call 919-571-4183
    • Electricians - website or call 919-733-9042
    • Plumbers and HVAC - website or call 919-875-3612
  4. When selecting a contractor, get a written agreement that states clearly the exact costs, work to be performed and completion date.
  5. Don't pay before work begins.  Make payments as work is completed.  Never make a final payment until work is complete to your satisfaction.
Investment Scams:
  1. Never agree to invest in or buy something you don't understand.
  2. Read all forms completely, and consult with a trusted professional, such as a lawyer, or an accountant, before you sign anything.
  3. Don't make a quick decision about investment offers or changing insurance policies.  When a loved ones dies, avoid making major financial decisions on purchases right away.
  4. Beware if a salesman says "its a special opportunity but you have to keep it secret" or urges you to "act now" while using phrases like "limited offer", "risk free" or "tax-free offshore investments."
  5. Remember, all investments include some risk and you can't get something for nothing.

Sweepstakes Scam:

  1. Throw away unsolicited lottery or sweepstakes mailing that say you're a winner.  Foreign lotteries are illegal and the checks they send are fake, no matter how real they look.
  2. Never send money to receive a prize, loan or credit card.  It's against the law to require you to pay to receive a prize or to charge an upfront fee for a loan.
  3. Don't be pressured to buy something in order to enter a sweepstakes.  You don't have to buy to enter and buying doesn't increase your chances of winning.
  4. Don't put bank account or Social Security numbers on entry forms for sweepstakes or other contests.
 
Telemarketing Scams:
  1. Place your home and cell phone numbers on the Do Not Call registry at 1-888-382-1222 or website to cut down on unwanted telemarketing calls.
  2. Never give out important numbers like your bank account, credit card or Social Security number to anyone who calls you. 
  3. Beware of scammers who call pretending to be a member of your family.  They may claim to face an emergency while traveling and ask you to send money.
  4. Your phone's Caller ID feature can be manipulated.  Scammers can make it appear that your bank, a charity, a government office, etc., is calling.

For more information call:  1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) or go to the website

1/2013  

Heat Stress in the Elderly

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.   
 
Heat Stress
Elderly people (that is, people aged 65 years and older) are more prone to heat stress than younger people for several reasons:
•Elderly people do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
•They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat.
•They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke
Warning signs vary but may include the following:
•An extremely high body temperature (above 103° F)
•Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
•Rapid, strong pulse
•Throbbing headache
•Dizziness
•Nausea
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.
Heat Exhaustion
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Warning signs vary but may include the following:
•Heavy sweating
•Paleness
•Muscle Cramps
•Tiredness
•Weakness
•Dizziness
•Headache
•Nausea or vomiting
•Fainting
•Skin: may be cool and moist
•Pulse rate: fast and weak
•Breathing: fast and shallow
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
You can follow these prevention tips to protect yourself from heat-related stress:
•Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink when the weather is hot. Also, avoid extremely cold liquids because they can cause cramps.)
•Rest.
•Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
•If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment. (If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public library to cool off.)
•Wear lightweight clothing.
•If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
•Do not engage in strenuous activities.
What You Can Do to Help Protect Elderly Relatives and Neighbors
If you have elderly relatives or neighbors, you can help them protect themselves from heat-related stress:
•Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
•Encourage them to increase their fluid intake by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages regardless of their activity level.
Warning: If their doctor generally limits the amount of fluid they drink or they are on water pills, they will need to ask their doctor how much they should drink while the weather is hot.
•Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems.
What You Can Do for Someone With Heat Stress
If you see any signs of severe heat stress, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person. Do the following:
•Get the person to a shady area.
•Cool the person rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the person in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the person with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
•Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101°–102° F
•If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
•Do not give the person alcohol to drink.
•Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

A nationwide volunteer program that invites adults 55 and over to use their life experience and skills to answer the call of their neighbors in need.
Volunteers give anywhere from 4 to 40 hours per week and enjoy working with others to solve serious problems in their community.
Some of the volunteer opportunities available:
 
  • Providing nutritious meals to seniors
    The Senior Nutrition Program serves and delivers nutritious meals to seniors at and around Mecklenburg County.  While working at a site, volunteers assist in serving meals, overseeing sign-in and keeping records.  Volunteers having their own transportation deliver meals to home-bound seniors, who also welcome the personal visits.
  • Telephone reassurance
    Provides a sense of caring, reassurance and support to seniors, giving them a sense of security knowing that someone will check on their safety and well-being each day.  Volunteers are trained to call on a regular basis those people who live alone and feel isolated from the community due to age, health problems and other challenges.
  • Hospital Volunteers
    Area hospitals offer many opportunities to help provide services to patients and their families.  Hospital volunteers can work in reception, admitting, gift shop, patient services and many other locations.
  • Welcome visitors to the Charlotte region
    The Charlotte Douglas International Airport Volunteer program offers citizens an exciting opportunity to help airport visitors during their time at the airport.  The volunteers, known as the Charlotte Pit Crew, in reference to the region's affiliation with racing, are mobilized throughout the terminal.  They welcome customers to the Charlotte Region and are the first resource for information and directions.
  • Law enforcement and public safety
    At the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department volunteers are assigned to various departments to provide clerical and or administrative assistance.
  • Education, history and involvement in the visual arts
    The Levine Museum of the New South, The Charlotte Museum of History and Discovery Place use RSVP volunteers, who lead tours for adults or children as docents or guides; act as greeters, giving out audio tours; work in the gift shop; assist with clerical work including data entry.
  • Thompson Child and Family Focus
    Volunteer opportunities include facilities projects, special donations, support projects, classroom volunteers, front desk volunteers, social event assistants, tutors/mentors, cosmetology services, office assistance and special events.
  • Legal Assistance
    The Mecklenburg County Courthouse and The Self Serve Center uses volunteers in a variety of ways.  Volunteers learn the inner workings of the courts and how to assist others.  Volunteers assist and direct patrons in person and by phone to provide necessary forms and instructions to clients, help in preparation of clinics or other special projects and support the Trial Court Administrator's Office.  Volunteers also work as greeters in the information desks, giving out directions and court information to visitors to the courthouse.  Free parking is provided.
RSVP provides volunteers for over 50 non-profit organizations.  RSVP volunteers use their experience to tutor and mentor children, counsel small businesses, assist at health clinics and hospitals, and distribute food to homeless or volunteer at a variety of one-time community events.
If you have any questions or would like more information about volunteering with RSVP, call Rene Walker at 704-817-5465 or by email.  You can also visit the RSVP website.

Love Inc Adopt An Elder Program

Love Inc. will help your church recruit team members and will provide training and guidance for 6-12 individuals (per team) to assist an individual who needs help to remain independent.  The things they need help with are not difficult, but there may be several different types of needs and that might be more help than one or two individuals can handle alone.
You can also serve even if your church does not have a team.  There will be teams staffed by members of several different churches.
For more information or to start a team contact call 704-536-5588.

Identity Theft

If you become a victim of identity theft, there are ways to recover your good credit rating.  First, report the identity theft to Social Security's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.   Then, report it to the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Hotline, 1-877-IDTHEFT.  You also should contact the three major credit bureaus, tell them you're an identity theft victim and ask them to place a fraud alert on your records. 
The Credit bureaus are:
 
Also, write your creditors and ask them to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name or changing existing accounts or credit limits.  For more information on identity theft, visit the identity theft page website.  
Protect Your Number and Records
Keep your Social Security number and card in a safe place.  If a business or other enterprise asks you for your Social Security number, you can refuse to give it to them.  However, that may mean doing without the purchase or service for which your number was requested.  For example, utility companies and other services ask for your Social Security number, but do not need it; they can do a credit check or identify their customers by alternative means. 
 
Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly.  If requested, you should ask:
  • why your number is needed;
  • how your number will be used;
  • what happens if you refuse; and
  • what law requires you to give your number.
The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number.  The decision is yours.

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