April 2026

All Jokes Aside: April Packed a Punch

No Punchlines. Just the Facts.

Last month was filled with community connections, program expansion, and meaningful impact. Here are the highlights:

2026 Cabarrus County Familia Adelante Graduating Class

CPS Leads Regional Expansion of Familia Adelante

Proudly Supporting Families Across Five Southeastern States

We’re excited to share how Familia Adelante has grown from a single training opportunity in 2020 into a regional effort reaching families across the Southeast. What began through NNEDLearn and a trip to Albuquerque quickly turned into a virtual launch during COVID-19, and has continued to expand every year since.

From building a strong network of facilitators to hosting 11 cohorts in 2025 alone, our impact in Mecklenburg County has grown in meaningful ways. Now, with new funding, we’re looking ahead to expansion in Union County and Cabarrus County.

Today, Center for Prevention Services serves as the Southeast Regional Hub for Familia Adelante, supporting work across five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia, and we’re just getting started.

Program Highlights

Photo of our facilitator, Mateo Florez, at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center

Building Second Chances Through Connection

Every day behind the walls of the detention center, moments of change are quietly unfolding.

Through programs like Strategies for Change, our team works with residents in Latino and ESL classes, creating space for reflection, growth, and connection across language and culture.

As one facilitator shared, “This work is more than a job; it’s a commitment to growth, accountability, and transformation across language and culture.”

That commitment shows up in every conversation, every breakthrough, and every reminder that a person is more than their worst decision.

In a place where many feel forgotten or isolated, this program brings something powerful: dignity, respect, and the belief that change is still possible.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one person willing to listen, and remind someone of their humanity.

Celebrating Culture Through Community Art

"Dancing on Fire" by Julieta Picardi

Acrylic, graphite and crayons on paper

"Bonkers" by Teddy Espinales

Acrylic on paper

We’re excited to feature artwork from two talented artists with Enlace, an organization bringing art directly into our office. By transforming everyday places into living galleries, their work celebrates Latino culture, identity, and creativity, meeting people right where they are.

Each piece offers a unique lens into our community, sparking connection, reflection, and shared understanding. Through initiatives like this, emerging Latino artists are uplifted, and our stories are told in ways that truly reflect who we are.

Stop by our office and experience the artwork for yourself!

Meet the Artists

Julieta Picardi

Julieta creates abstract paintings that each carry a soul’s story. Every piece is a journey, an unfolding mystery and a reflection of the depths we often overlook.

View more of Julieta's art here

Teddy Espinales

Teddy, an artist born in Ecuador and raised in the Bronx, focuses on pop art portraiture, blending bold colors and cultural influences.

View more of Teddy's art here

Advancing HIV Prevention Through Partnership

Queen City Harm Reduction (QCHR) attended and presented at the Gilead FOCUS Partners’ meeting at Atrium Health Mercy. Beth Ockerbloom, QCHR Grants & Programs Manager, shared data on our workflow for linking individuals to PrEP, a medication that significantly reduces HIV transmission.

Connecting with Our Community at the Healthy Lives Fair

We joined the CMS Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Lives Fair at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus. Alongside Anuvia, we connected with over 130 community members, sharing resources on medication safety, underage drinking prevention, and tobacco-free living. It was a great day of community connection.

Play, Learn, Connect: Family Game Night

Communities In Schools at Eastway Middle hosted a family game night for over 250 attendees. Where our Greater Piedmont Community Resilience team shared information on trending substances, prevention tips, and communication between caregivers and youth.

Families enjoyed a prevention-themed Bingo game, along with prizes, raffles, and dinner. We’re proud to partner with Communities in Schools to support prevention efforts in our community.

Youth and Family Programs

Explore our free programs that are offered now!

We offer evidence-based programs that help youth and families build healthy relationships, prevent substance use, and strengthen community support.

Check out what we have to offer and sign-up today!

Upcoming Events

Try Your Future in VR: Career Discovery Workshop

We’re excited to be part of an upcoming community event with Partners Health Management's Union County Collaborative . Stop by and say hello, we’d love to connect!