Since 2017, our partners in Mecklenburg County have taken significant steps to ensure the development and implementation of a world-class center for victims of violence and abuse.
2017
- Observed electronic filing of Domestic Violence Protective Orders at the Guilford County Family Justice Center in Greensboro, NC.
- Gathered information on family justice center models.
- Attended Alliance for Hope Leadership Conference.
- Attended the first North Carolina statewide Family Justice Center conference with nearly 40 participants from Mecklenburg County.
2018
- Formed a Steering Committee to lead in assessment and planning efforts.
- Visited other family justice centers.
- Evaluated community needs.
- Held 19 community forums, communicating with over 400 individuals.
- Conducted both English and Spanish survivor surveys.
- Alliance for Hope Study Tour in Mecklenburg County.
- Alliance for Hope Strategic Visioning in Mecklenburg County.
2019
- The Steering Committee planned to create a Phase 1 center called The Survivor Resource Center.
- Partners worked to solidify key community commitments.
- Safe Alliance and Guilford County co-led a statewide family justice center conference.
2020
- Created the CharMeck Family Justice Center Foundation 501(c)3.
- Marketing professionals and survivors developed a name and logo: The Umbrella Center.
- Began operational planning for The Survivor Resource Center.
2021
- Opened The Survivor Resource Center in February.
- Initiated Capital Campaign.
- Solidified core partners for the Umbrella Center.
2022
- Capital Campaign secured $24M in funding.
- Secured building location on Albemarle Road.
- Began space planning for The Umbrella Center.
2023
- Over $29M committed to the $46M project, including a $10M commitment from Mecklenburg County and a $5M commitment from the City of Charlotte.
Partners worked with architects to determine workflows as well as space and staffing needs.
Architects presented initial program, outlining building contents and square footage allocations.
2024
- The Umbrella Center received $2.5M in bi-partisan federal funding support.
With additional private fundraising, over $38M committed in total to the $46M project.
Architectural Committee, composed of architects, service providers, and survivors, worked together to develop schematic design and final floor plans for the building.
2025
- Contractor and architect work together to submit project permits and bid packages.
- Safe Alliance signs Development Agreement with Mecklenburg County to move design and construction process forward.
Program Evaluation Project begins to develop shared data and evaluation system for all Umbrella Center partners.
Service providers from all partner agencies visit the demoed building to see the "before" space and write words of hope on the walls.
Construction begins in June.
2026
- The Umbrella Center opens!