#6 – Mayor of Charlotte Press Release

SchermCo Helps Launch New OST Partnership with Mayor’s Office & MeckEd: Charlotte NEXT

(Charlotte, NC) – On December 13, 2016, after a 6-month partnership with Schermbeck Consulting (SchermCo), Mayor Jennifer Roberts announced Charlotte NEXT, an initiative led by MeckEd to serve as a middle school OST intermediary in Charlotte. The primary focus of Charlotte NEXT is to increase access and quality of after-school programs for middle school students by offering an online locator of programs, professional development for program providers, and micro-grants for local programs.

“Schermbeck Consulting was instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of establishing an out-of-school time intermediary for our community,” said Mayor Jennifer Roberts. “Greg’s expertise and professionalism helped us meet a critical need for Charlotte youth. Schermbeck Consulting is a key partner in addressing challenges and opportunities in any community.”

Students born into poverty often lack 6,000 hours of learning opportunities compared to their middle and high-class peers. Quality after-school programs have shown to save communities $3 for every $1 invested and increase school attendance and other positive youth metrics. Charlotte NEXT will work with local program providers and community members to increase access and awareness to programs throughout Charlotte.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better partnership with the Mayor’s Office and her team, Emily Cantrell & Gregg Watkins” Schermbeck said. “We were excited to work alongside this team and the Charlotte community, to help create an initiative that ensures every middle schooler has access to a quality after school program. Quality after school programs have shown to have many positive effects for youth and even increases the likelihood of economic mobility – a key focus area in the Charlotte community.”

Ross Danis, president of MeckEd said, “MeckEd’s work with SchermCo, as well as the Mayor’s team continues to be an exemplar of an effective public-private partnership that will benefit Charlotte’s youth.” MeckEd will continue to finalize aspects of Charlotte NEXT and additional information will be released early in 2017.

To fulfill their commitment as a social impact consulting firm, SchermCo, and the Mayor’s office will volunteer at a local after-school program this winter.

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Schermbeck Consulting

Charlotte, NC

Media Contacts & Interview Inquiries: Lori Schermbeck, Director of Operations – lori@schermbeckconsulting.com

Schermbeck Consulting is a social impact consulting firm working with partners toward an educational utopia. We reinvest 1% of our time / funds back into the communities we serve. Learn more at schermbeck.co