Thanks to our many members, partners, and followers who attended the November Green Drinks Charlotte + Sustain Charlotte monthly mixer at The Liberty!

Stephanie Hoffman talked about how our Silver Partner, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, is transforming lives by equipping people with practical job skills and providing work experience. The GRID is Goodwill's unique electronics store that sells refurbished computers, vintage games and gaming systems, and computer parts. Proceeds from Goodwill sales support their programs, so your donations of gently used items will not only keep those items out of the landfill but also allow Goodwill to continue providing jobs and other services to area residents! 

Hoffman said a common misconception is that Goodwill only trains people to work in its retail stores. "Only a small percent of the people we serve work in our stores." In the Charlotte region, Goodwill provides job training in construction, hospitality and tourism, banking, forkllift operation, computer operations and more. As Hoffman explained, "These aren't burger-flipping jobs!"

The GRID sells electronics and computers to support Goodwill's many programs.

Businesses are invited to partner with Goodwill to improve their sustainability. Hoffman says, "Reaching out to businesses in the Charlotte and the Southern Piedmont region gives me the chance to educate on how much Goodwill does to protect our environment. Sustainability for business is no longer a buzzword, but is becoming part of corporate identities. Goodwill can help companies with sustainability when it comes to their decommissioned IT equipment. By donating electronics and IT equipment they are able to "DO GOOD" twice. Keeping it out of the landfill and helping make jobs in the process." She gave a great example of how Goodwill worked with our Gold Partner, Boingo Graphics, to distribute Boingo's donation of thousands of picture frames to Goodwill stores throughout the country.

During the mixer, we also announced an exciting new opportunity for those of you interested in volunteering with us: the launch of the Sustain Charlotte Community Corps (SCCC)! This group of dedicated volunteers will work intensively alongside residents of one of the communities in Sustain Charlotte's Sustainable Neighborhoods Program. Together the residents and volunteers will update the neighborhood's Sustainable Vision Plan, then develop and implement a strategy to move the neighborhood towards greater sustainability. Click here to learn more and find out how you can get involved! 

We want to see YOU at our next mixer on Tuesday, December 1st! We'll be celebrating Giving Tuesday and recapping the successes we've had in 2015 thanks to the generosity of our members and partners. Click here to RSVP.