Leadership Cabarrus Class Projects

The legacy project requires collaboration, creativity, and dedication, as it involves planning, organizing, and executing initiatives that address specific needs within our community. This may include activities such as community service events, fundraising efforts for local charities, or the development of programs that promote education, health, or social well-being.

To ensure the project’s success, class members will need to invest additional time outside of our regular class days. This commitment will involve meetings, brainstorming sessions, and hands-on work to bring our ideas to fruition. By engaging in this process, we not only enhance our leadership skills but also foster teamwork and strengthen our connections with one another and the community we serve.

Ultimately, the legacy project presents an opportunity for us to leave a lasting positive impact on Cabarrus County, demonstrating our commitment to making a difference and inspiring future leaders to continue this vital work.

The class constructed a 200-ft retaining wall and a large wooden fence and added landscaping to parts of the Cooperative Christian Ministry’s Rebuilders Campus to make it more attractive and community-friendly.

The class collaborated with 1Can to design and build two Blessing Boxes in Concord, stocked with nonperishable food for families and individuals in need. Additionally, they raised $16,000 in sponsorships to restock the boxes for a year, held a food drive, and redesigned 1Can’s marketing materials to help with future needs.

The class supported early learning and childcare providers in three ways:

• Educated childcare center directors on how to list their services on findhelp.org, an online directory that lists various areas of support that can be accessed by the public.
• Advocated for additional funding and support for childcare providers, centers, and families as the NCGA was determining its budget.
• Painted and wallpapered two childcare centers in Concord and Kannapolis.

Recognizing the potential for ongoing connection, service, and mentoring opportunities among Leadership Cabarrus alumni, the class established the Leadership Cabarrus Alumni Association, which features a directory, educational and social activities, and a resource for public and nonprofit service. Members culled and created an online directory, created a logo, mission, and vision statements, bylaws, and an executive steering committee to operate the program in conjunction with The Chamber.

Public Art Project
Class members designed and are creating small, bronzed bear (CaBEARus) statues for some select Kannapolis business, education, and government buildings to create a scavenger hunt for people to learn more about the city’s history.

2020 turned our world upside down as COVID affected every sector of our community, including undeniable challenges to high school students, from modified learning methods to inter-household changes. To help Cabarrus County high school seniors attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and pursue their dreams, the class established an endowed scholarship fund. The word L.E.A.D. in the scholarship’s title is an acronym that stands for Learn, Empower, Adapt, and Dream.

Recognizing the rising rate of homelessness in Cabarrus County, the class created a printed brochure and map that listed all available resources for those experiencing homelessness in our county. Additionally, they provided backpacks stuffed with toiletries, sleeping bags, and other needed essentials for Point in Time County volunteers to distribute to those in need.

The Charlotte region has one of the highest rates of human trafficking in the country. Yet, little is known about what it is, how it occurs, and what the signs are to be aware of. The class hosted a 5K race with signage throughout the course informing participants of what to look out for. Their first race had 250 runners and walkers! A playbook was assembled and provided to the Present Age Ministry, focusing on prevention and support services for victims of trafficking.

To help address opioid abuse in Cabarrus County, the class researched drop box options. It worked with Harrisburg Hometown Pharmacy and Moose Pharmacy – Midland to install drop boxes for unused and expired prescription medications. They also conducted a comprehensive marketing campaign, Check – Collect – Drop, to educate our community on the importance of disposing of unused medicines properly.

The class designed an advisory council manual, complete with bylaws and guidance, that would bridge the gaps between schools and the business community to help fill vital out-of-school learning opportunities for CTE students and connect resources and volunteers. Additionally, the class helped clarify and condense a survey sent from schools to businesses to determine skills gaps in the workplace.

The class designed a program to “engage the youth of Cabarrus County in a series of diverse learning experiences designed to develop, cultivate, and nurture their leadership potential, identify potential career paths, and engage them in the future of Cabarrus County.” Targeted at rising juniors identified as having leadership potential, applications were distributed in March, before the students’ junior year. Topics for the youth program mirrored those of the adult program. The program launch was dependent on funding availability.

The class created a plan to update the appearance of the waiting area, which had not been updated in over 15 years. Through donations and the purchase of materials, members scheduled work times around clinic hours to paint walls and create an appealing playroom for children. High school students were tasked with painting a mural on the walls of the playroom. Furniture was cleaned and rearranged to improve traffic flow, along with the addition of toys and children’s furniture to the playroom.

With several class members familiar with construction and design, the class created a canoe and kayak launch in Midland. The project required multiple Saturday workdays that the class agreed upon. The launch was dedicated before the class graduation.

Based on a comment made by the director of Historic Cabarrus, the class chose to document the importance and impact of the area’s textile industry, which was formerly a thriving component of the local economy.  The class produced a 58-minute documentary in partnership with Historic Cabarrus, Kannapolis History Associates, students, and faculty in videography and production at A. L. Brown High School and students at Concord High School. The process included interviews with former mill workers and both historical organizations. The movie debuted at the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis to a full house, and copies of the DVD were sold following the screening. Enough copies were produced for sale in museums in Concord and Kannapolis.

One of the class members who was employed at CVO presented the need for updates to their space. With his on-site presence to coordinate the project, class members created a plan. They arranged times to purchase furniture and accessories, completed a makeover of the facility’s entry and reception area, which included repainting the entrance, and assembled furniture for the workshop. A grand reopening of the facility was held, with class members in attendance, as well as service providers, clients, and their families.

Class members employed by CCM presented the project idea. It was selected due to the involvement of paid staff who could oversee the effort, as few of the class members had much experience in the area. The class assisted both CCM and Habitat workers in rehabilitating two homes that were teaching homes for families. They also collected donations of furniture and other household items for the families.

Class members, which included a construction professional, designed and built a picnic shelter for residents and their families at the Center. This 10-week outdoor project was made possible by the expertise of the class members and many donations of materials and skills from area construction professionals.

A tent village concept was designed, and tents were purchased for vendors and organizations who attended the event. The purpose was to provide activities for the families of the athletes when their children were not competing. Arts and crafts providers, small business owners, service agencies, and others used the tents to entertain family members and athletes.

The event was held at Carolina Mall to recruit volunteers for various agencies. An event model was in place for a community agency to coordinate future fairs.

Pre- and post-home ownership classes were developed for Habitat clients. Class members committed to six months beyond the Leadership class to serve as counselors or facilitators for the various training topics. The project’s completion was made possible through collaboration with the Habitat organization and support from other groups and professionals.

The class successfully began the process, but the project was not completed before graduation. However, the strong commitment of several class members and others solicited from the community moved the process forward to a successful conclusion.

At a time when our municipalities and county weren’t always on the same page, the class convened a panel of elected officials for discussion about water, transportation, and other community issues. The event evolved into the Chamber’s Candidates Forum, which lasted for many years.

This class compiled a Community Resource Guide for the Spanish-speaking community, and the information was also included in Concord Telephone Company’s phone book.

This class raised funds and constructed a home for a partner family with Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County.

This was the beginning of the Chamber’s annual golf tournament. It was a joint project of the Leadership Cabarrus and Leadership Kannapolis classes to raise funds for the newly combined Chamber of Commerce.

This was offered to all area high school juniors and seniors. It involved one week in June with classroom instruction and business visits. Class members sold sponsorships, provided presentations, and organized the class syllabus.

The 2005, 2006, and 2016 classes did not complete projects.