Freedom Communities
In 2018, Charlotte ranked 50th out of 50 large U.S. cities for economic mobility.
It was an important moment for our community. It meant that those who are born into poverty in Charlotte are likely to stay in poverty throughout their lives. And for a group of local business and faith leaders, it signaled a call to action.
Together, they founded Freedom Communities not simply to address basic needs; but to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty; to serve neighbors in a holistic way; to provide the opportunity for people and families to thrive; and to support the process of human transformation.
We mobilize philanthropic and impact investments to activate high impact real estate and programmatic opportunities. Opportunities that serve as strategic gateways to transform the Freedom Drive Corridor. Our key service areas are:
Family Stability
We provide holistic, wraparound solutions for families.The connections, support and solidarity that equips families with the tools and resources to ignite their respective path to upward mobility and sustained economic stability.
Affordable Housing
By building new mixed income housing and preserving naturally occurring affordable housing, we aim to alleviate displacement and toxic stress that impacts so many families.
Early Education
In the neighborhoods surrounding the Freedom Drive corridor, only 1 in 5 children moves into 4th grade reading proficiently.
Learning to read by the end of 3rd grade puts children on a pathway toward college and career readiness. To get there, we are focusing our education efforts on supporting the children of the moms we are working with in the Moms Moving Forward program.
Collaborative Partnerships
A well-aligned, collaborative network of partners and neighborhood leaders have the power to transform the Freedom Drive Corridor.
It starts with building relationships, inventorying assets, opening up communication, identifying gaps and developing solutions.
