Marlin’s West Side Connect project seeks to bridge the gap between Historic West End residents and available resources, fostering an engaged, inclusive, and equitable community. Many residents face challenges accessing vital services and information. The initiative aims to create a comprehensive resource guide (print and digital) and organize a community fair to enhance awareness of local non-profits and services, empowering residents to access these resources more easily. This project will increase accessibility, strengthen the community, and promote active civic engagement and upward mobility.

Marlin has seen some progress over the last six months – namely through existing community events, called Live United Days, that he helps lead outside of Charlotte’s Historic West End. These community events have brought hundreds of volunteers, corporate and community partners, and neighborhoods together to complete activities that benefit the communities where they are held. They also allow neighbors to learn about nonprofit organizations working in the neighborhoods they call home, increasing the likelihood that families have access to the resources they deserve.

Hosting the Live United Days has given him valuable insights into shaping the Historic West End event. Conversations with attendees and their feedback have been key in guiding the planning process for future events.

These events have given neighbors the knowledge and relationships needed to learn how the entire family – across generations – can be supported through no cost programming. Nonprofit organizations that help address issue areas from across the Social Determinants of Health allow residents to access youth development related services like mentoring and tutoring, workforce development and job/career services, critical home repair to help seniors age in place, and food security to address the generations long food desert that is Charlotte’s Historic West End – among others.

Balancing Marlin’s personal and professional obligations with what has become a significant project has been challenging. What has helped most is delegating when he can and reaching out for assistance and advice from partners who have done similar projects.

“I am privileged to have the support of my employer, United Way of Greater Charlotte, and many community partners that support this idea”.

Another challenge has been ensuring that his project remains community-centred, informed, and sustainably supported. Marlin believes that the residents of Charlotte’s Historic West End are neighborhood experts, or community consultants, and should be compensated for their advice and partnership.

In the next six months, the champion plans to engage residents in focus groups to gauge their interest in the physical resource guides and ensure that they want and will use this. He also plans to complete and launch a book (with resident guidance) at the June Live United Day in the Historic West End. He has been working with two community partners to design the book and incorporate a green book component inspired by the Negro Motorist Green Book – a guidebook for African American travelers that provided a list of hotels, boarding houses, taverns, restaurants, service stations and other establishments throughout the country that served African American patrons.

About Marlin Wilson

Marlin Wilson is a nonprofit leader in Charlotte, NC, where he works with a wide range of partners (neighbors, nonprofit leaders, small business owners, and local government officials) to improve the odds for individuals and families living in our region’s most disinvested neighborhoods. He is the Interim Director of Community Initiatives at United Way of Greater Charlotte.

Marlin is a father of five wonderful children and has been married to his amazing wife for seven years.

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