Each year, the National Association of Regional Councils honors organizations and regional leaders for exceptional programs, service delivery and impact on their respective region. We are pleased to announce that Centralina was honored with the 2023 Major Metro Achievement Award for our work on the ARPA Fund Implementation Support Program. This is an outstanding recognition of the collaborative work of staff who offered their technical expertise to support our member governments with the complex ARPA funding requirements. Learn more about the award-winning program.

As our world evolves and innovates, seniors struggle to keep up and effectively utilize the newest tools and gadgets on the market. In addition, older adults are more prone to physical limitations of getting around and staying involved in community activities, as well as an increased likelihood to develop feelings of depression and social isolation. In 2019, entrepreneurs Neil Dsouza and Lawrence Kosick put their heads together to determine how they could elevate these tools to help elevate what older adults have to offer and empower them to keep learning and thriving. Using their backgrounds in ed-tech, software and product development, they banded together to create GetSetUp, an online community that offers live classes, social hours and special events tailored to benefit and entertain older adults.

Senior Centers provide older adults a space to make friends, remain active and improve their wellbeing through a variety of programs and services. While many senior center programs focus on fun, senior centers also offer a critically important service to older adults who may struggle to stay socially engaged and remain connected to their community. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center in Salisbury recently invited staff from Centralina Area Agency on Aging to celebrate 35 years of excellent service and showcase their recent national reaccreditation.

Have you ever wanted to wander the streets of the western towns you see in movies? It may seem like a Hollywood dream, but you may not know that a cowboy capital exists right here in our region. Check out our new member spotlight to learn more about the history of this cowboy paradise and what you need to know ahead of time before planning a visit.

Despite an overwhelming desire to live independently, some older adults may need assistance maintaining their homes as they “age in place.” To address these unmet needs, Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is now offering Housing Home Improvement and Chore Enhanced programs, which are designed to help older adults keep up with essential repairs and maintenance inside and outside their homes. Through federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Centralina AAA developed these new programs that will allow older adults to remain safe and secure while living in their homes longer.

In 1991, the National Association of Counties established April as National County Government Month. This annual observance celebrates the successes of county initiatives and allows for an opportunity to provide information to communities about how their county serves and advocates for their residents. Since 1968, through regional collaboration and local action, we have seen our counties grow and expand their efforts to focus on challenging and top-of-mind issues involving workforce, housing, education, transportation and more. This month, we’re highlighting previous county success stories as well as exciting projects they have currently underway with Centralina.

On February 28th and March 1st, the North Carolina Association of Workforce Boards and it’s Executive Directors Council, in partnership with the NCWorks Training Center and NC Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions, hosted the very first NC Youth Forum in Greensboro, NC. This first-of-its-kind training event allowed over 150 youth leads and youth service providers the opportunity to network and learn best practices from others working in the field. Our very own Centralina Workforce Development Board NextGen Program Leader, Solomon McAuley, presented a workshop on youth engagement. His presentation dove deep into what the term means, how it’s evolving and how leaders can consistently empower and encourage youth and young adults across our state.

The City of Gastonia and Gaston County received the 2022 Region of Excellence Award for Local Government Innovation for their partnership in building inspection services. Their teamwork is a positive example of the success that comes from cities and counties working together towards a common goal. This project provides an effective solution to address a challenge in the community, delivering a measurable impact at the local government level.