Mecklenburg Justice Project (printer friendly summary)

Everyone deserves to live in a community free from crime and violence. Unfortunately, crime statistics are on the rise in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Our jails are overcrowded, and our social services have not kept pace with the increasing numbers of families facing problems such as substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness.

With a multi-year founding grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Grassroots Leadership is building a coalition of organizations and individuals to help transform justice and public safety policies in the County. We will develop and work towards a menu of reforms and programs targeting our limited public monies to make our community safer.

Grassroots Leadership staff participate in
Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign

Staff members Father Les Schmidt and LaWana Mayfield spoke before a crowd of more than one thousand people calling for immigration reform. Charlotte Post article >>

Bible-Belt Race, Power & Sexuality Conference, October 27, 2009

Mecklenburg Justice ProjectGoals

- Build a safe and just community in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
We believe that safety and security are essential to the public well-being. We also believe that the long term safety and security of the community depends on a fair, just, and effective criminal justice system.

- Use public monies wisely and strategically
Incarceration is the most expensive tool in the criminal justice toolbox. We believe that alternatives to incarceration may, in some cases, provide more cost effective means of protecting the public safety.

- Establish public policy and infrastructure to sustain reforms
We believe that systemic changes, rather than short-term programs, are key to ensuring a community that is both safe and just. Our coalition will address needed legislative, policy, and procedural reforms.

The film below was produced by CashWorks HD Productions of Cary, NC about the Community Success Initiative

Part 1 of a two-part mini-documentary about Community Success Initiative - a Raleigh, NC-based nonprofit ex-offender reentry program, led by founder and Executive Director Dennis Gaddy.

Part 2 of "The CSI Story" focuses on the program's mentoring and reentry services, CSI's legislative partnering to impact public policy, and CSI's program expansion for the future.

P.O. Box 36006, Charlotte, NC 28236-6006
shipping: 400 Clarice Avenue, Suite 130 Charlotte, NC 28204

voice: 704.332.3090
fax: 704.332.0445