13 Feb News and notes
We’ve got more news than a bag of conversation hearts! Here’s how we’re sharing the love this month:
Welcome new team members
We welcome three new members to our team working to serve you better:
Brittenay Causieestko-Lee joined us as an event coordinator. She’ll coordinate and manage the logistics for programs at the NCWorks Career Center – Executive Center Drive. With several years’ experience in event planning and volunteer coordination, Causieestko-Lee most recently served as a special events intern with the Triangle Apartment Association in Raleigh, N.C., before moving into a full-time role as an education and member services coordinator. Prior to that, she was a certified trainer with the National Coalition Building Institute (also in Raleigh). Causieestko-Lee received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from North Carolina State University.
If you’ve been to our W. Morehead Street location recently, you’ve probably been greeted by the new receptionist with the familiar face, Brenda Jefferson. She previously served with us through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title V program as a Resource Center assistant. During her time in the Title V program and prior to her assignment at Charlotte Works, Jefferson served as a receptionist at the Carole A. Hoefener Center in Charlotte. She also was assistant to the director of arts and crafts at Adult Care and Share. Jefferson holds a certificate in early childhood education.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Waters is our newest WIA (Workforce Investment Act) intake specialist, joining us from ResCare Workforce Services, where she served as an OJT (On-The-Job) Training Grant specialist. Waters has also held positions as an employment social worker (Economic Services Division) and a senior social worker (Youth and Family Services Division) with the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, Md. She will serve at the NCWorks Career Center – Forest Point Boulevard.
From left, Brenda Jefferson, Brittenay Causieestko-Lee and Jackie Waters, our newest team members, are ready to serve at each of our NCWorks Career Centers.
NCWorks Online upgrades delayed until March
In the January issue of News @ The Works, we reported on several upgrades to NCWorks Online that were to roll out this month.
Just after publication, we learned those upgrades have been delayed until March 9.
Take advantage of FREE tax preparation
Community Link’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are now open to assist eligible individuals ($53,000 and less household income) with free income tax assistance.
You can schedule an appointment for Saturday, Feb. 21, at Goodwill Industries’ Tax Day (2122 Freedom Dr. Charlotte, 28208) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other sites and times are available now through April 15. Schedule an appointment by calling 704.761.VITA (8482) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
In addition, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) also offers tax counseling for the elderly. These sites specialize in assisting seniors, but are not limited to those returns. The income guideline is $72,000 and less household income.
Customers must call one of eight AARP/TCE sites to schedule an appointment now through April 15.
Fliers for both programs with complete details about locations, dates, times and IRS requirements are available in the Resource Centers of all three NCWorks Career Centers.
Are we linked? 
Did you know that Charlotte Works has a current Company Page on LinkedIn?
If you’re not following us, please do! You’ll get the skinny on what’s happening here, and so will all your followers.
We look forward to linking with you!
Volunteers meet and greet
Nearly 25 volunteers gathered at the NCWorks Career Center – W. Morehead Street to meet and greet each other and some new team members one morning in late January.
Most had volunteered for at least one year, a handful had served less than that and all of them were excited to meet Talent Engagement Strategist Stacey Henderson and learn about her plans for the volunteer program this year.
Over breakfast, she thanked them for “enabling us to deliver quality programs and services to our clients” and for their dedication to serving the community. Henderson said upcoming activities include a new volunteer-specific newsletter and survey, an “idea box,” quarterly meet-ups for networking and learning, a new volunteer orientation and more workshops at all three locations.
Interested in volunteering with Charlotte Works? Find out how.