CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several Charlotte nonprofits are seeking solutions to disparities in education.
Eight local organizations are coming together to support students along their education path. Together, they're called Crescent Coalition, a reference to several zip codes in Charlotte that struggle with economic mobility.
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Their goal is to help students in need and prepare them for college and careers. Right now, they serve about 2,000 students in public, private, and charter schools.
A college education can help build a person's future, but not everyone is able to attend, as some students face barriers.
“It’s not a lack of resources it’s just not knowing it’s available," Maria Diaz, with Crescent Coalition, told WCNC Charlotte.
Diaz said the eight groups that are focused on helping youth in Charlotte include Carolina Youth Coalition, Friedland Foundation, GardHouse, GenOne, UrbanPromise Charlotte, Road to Hire, The Academy of Goal Achievers, and Wayfinders.
Leading on Opportunity provides the structure of Crescent Coalition.
The different groups decided that by working together instead of individually, they could have a stronger influence on students' lives.
“All of that mind power together and you put in that will to want to create these different types of systems for the students, you’re going to have an impact," Diaz said.
An impact on closing the gap and tackling disparities in education.
“We fill the gaps where the schools may not be able to fill due to funding or capacity," Diaz said. “We can provide a lot better support, one-on-one support with students, we're focusing on their needs a lot better.”
From middle school to graduating high school, all the way up until employment, the Crescent Coalition helps students achieve. They've helped about 200 families learn about navigating financial aid, even coordinating college tours for more than 100 students.
“They really do help you expose yourself to a lot of colleges and careers,” London Reaves, a 12th grader in Charlotte, said.
Reaves says the Crescent Coalition has given her the tools to build for her future.
She plans on being the first person in her family to go to college and eventually go pre-med to become an OBGYN.
“It would be a big accomplishment," Reaves said. “Just keep going no matter how hard it may seem, or get, keep going because it will all be worth it in the end.”
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.