Genetic Test Helps Charlotte Area Woman Connect With Sister She Had Never Met

Erin McCullough (left in photo) never knew her biological father. And, in a quest to learn more about her heritage, the Gastonia, NC resident turned to 23andMe, a genetic testing service, to help trace her ancestry and learn more about her roots. What she ended up discovering surprised her and changed her life. While reviewing her “DNA Ancestors,” an opt-in portion of 23andMe that connects users with those sharing similar DNA traits, McCullough, 36, discovered a name she didn’t recognize, who had the genetic makeup of a half-sister. “I have two half siblings that I grew up with, one male

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Charlotte Woman Featured in National Healing Campaign

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Charlotte social worker Cyteria Knight is a local face featured in the national healing campaign from CaringBridge called “How We Heal,” sharing her journey of healing after suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm and stroke in January 2017. CaringBridge, the global nonprofit social network, wanted to start a national dialogue to inspire hope and share the knowledge they have gained about healing, launching a new series called “How We Heal.” CaringBridge has provided a free online platform for hundreds of thousands of people to tell their stories and receive support during their health journeys over the last 20 years. From

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Local RAIN Organization Awarded Funding For Youth Programs

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Local Charlotte organization, RAIN, Inc., was recently awarded funding from ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action for Youth grant program. ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV, launched Positive Action for Youth in April 2017. The program is a two-year, $1 million grant commitment in U.S. mentorship programs for youth aged 13–24 living with HIV as they enter and begin to navigate adult care. Positive Action for Youth builds on the existing Positive Action grants that have helped people living with HIV across the globe. Because of its dedication to making a difference, ViiV Healthcare initially

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CPCC Breaks Ground For Largest Building Ever Built On Campus

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Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) officials broke ground Nov. 1 for the new North Classroom Building at the college’s Central Campus in Charlotte. The 154,100 square-foot facility will be the largest building ever constructed by the college. “With this new space, the college will be better able to equip students with the skills required to pursue family-sustaining careers and transform their lives,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, CPCC president. “I firmly believe we at the college are in the life-transformation businesses, and this new building will be an important element in this process.” North Classroom Building Project Summary: • Construction/Project Manager:

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Three Charlotte Area Towns Rank Among Best Places To Raise A Family

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North Carolina is the ninth-most populous state in the country. Millions of parents in the Tar Heel state have to decide where to raise families. Should they go to Charlotte, a bustling city with the third-largest banking sector in the country? Or head west to live near the Great Smoky Mountains? Below we look at factors like housing affordability and job opportunity to find the best places in North Carolina to raise a family.   Moving to North Carolina? Check out local mortgage rates. In order to find the best places to raise a family in North Carolina, we looked at data on 10 factors. We analyzed

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Leon Levine Foundation Awards Major Matching Grant to Charlotte Rescue Mission

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Charlotte Rescue Mission was awarded a $75,000 matching grant from The Leon Levine Foundation at their annual Evening of Hope held October 24 at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Each year, Charlotte Rescue Mission hosts 300 guests at Evening of Hope to introduce new community members to the transformative work done at Rebound and Dove’s Nest. Throughout the event, guests heard compelling testimonies from individuals and families who have been helped by Charlotte Rescue Mission. Board Member, Kim Overman, concluded the program with a personal appeal for donations, while announcing The Leon Levine Foundation matching opportunity. The Foundation committed to match, dollar-for-dollar every new and increased gift

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Always and Target Donate $1 Million To Charlotte’s “Girls on the Run”

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Based on the insight from the Always #LikeAGirl campaign that half of girls lose confidence at puberty, Always is partnering with retailers to encourage girls to pursue their goals and build their confidence. As part of this work, Always and Target are pleased to announce their support of Girls on the Run, a non-profit organization that provides a physical activity-based positive youth development program to girls in third to eighth grades. According to Girls on the Run, starting at the age of nine, girls’ confidence begins to drop, and by the time they reach the age of 10, their physical

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NC Ranks As No. 6 Most Sexually Diseased State

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Just in time for a little Halloween horror, BackgroundChecks.org has updated their Most Sexually Diseased States in America report. Since we first looked at the data, the CDC has published new findings, with new data from 2016 available. The 10 most sexually diseased states are currently: 1. Alaska (no change) 2. Mississippi (+2) 3. Louisiana (-1) 4. Georgia (+3) 5. New Mexico (no change) 6. North Carolina (-3) 7. South Carolina (-1) 8. Arkansas (+1) 9. Delaware (+5) 10. Oklahoma (-2) The 10 least sexually problematic states are currently: 1. Vermont (-3) 2. New Hampshire (+1) 3. West Virginia (+1) 4. Maine

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Portrait Innovations Studios Offer Free Halloween Portrait Party for Kids in Costume

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Portrait Innovations, one of the largest operators of free standing retail professional portrait studios in the United States, is pleased to offer parents with children dressed in costumes free portraits during its Halloween party taking place at all Portrait Innovations studios Monday, October 30. Charlotte-area locations include: Gaston Mall: 401 Cox Road, Suite 178, Gastonia NorthCross Shopping Center: 9709 Sam Furr Road, Suite A, Huntersville The Promenade Shopping Center: 5349 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Suite 700, Charlotte Gateway Plaza Shopping Center: 2355 Highway 70, SE, Hickory Photography sessions are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and parents will receive two free 5×7

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Ciel Gallery Presents Fall National Juried ‘Exhibition I Spy’

Ciel Gallery is pleased to present its Fall National Juried Exhibition I Spy, showcasing works by artists across the U.S. who give us a raw, up-close and personal glimpse into how they really see and interpret the world. The exhibition opens October 6th and continues through October 28th, 2017. A special reception will be held on Friday, October 6, 6-9 pm. Award winners will be judged by Lee Baumgarten, Executive Director at The Civic & Cultural Arts Center in Pineville and announced at the reception. Our planet is a monument to wonder, to see, to explore, to present everyday epiphanies

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