Orange County is taking steps to address the effects of poverty on children, “from cradle to college” and beyond.
A county initiative called the Family Success Alliance is modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone, an acclaimed New York program that works to keep Harlem kids on the track toward college graduation.
“We were inspired by the work of the Harlem Children’s Zone,” said Meredith Stewart, program manager of the Orange County Health Department, “because of their focus on picking a specific geographic area and saying, ‘How do we work with families and children in that geographic area or zone, to really create changes at scale?’
“So we want to see changes in the community, not just at the individual level, but at the community level.”
Two out of six local zones being considered were selected as pilot zones for the project.
Wednesday, from 5 until 7, partners from Zone 4 – the area between I-40 and I-85 in central Orange County – will join members of the FSA for a public meeting at A.L. Stanback Middle School, at 3700 NC 86 South, in Hillsborough.
They’ll discuss the findings of door-to-door surveys in Zone 4, which includes Stanback and New Hope Elementary. Fifty-five percent of Zone 4 students receive free or reduced lunch.
“What I might see on a daily level is a parent calling me and telling me they don’t have a place to live,” said Aviva Scully, a social worker at Stanback Middle School, “or they need help paying a bill; they’ve had a shutoff notice; they need help with clothing; lots of calls for help with food.”
A similar meeting will be held Thursday for Zone 6, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Carrboro Elementary School, at 400 Shelton St. The zone stretches from downtown Chapel Hill southwest to Highway 54, and has the highest number of the county’s children under 18 living in poverty – nearly 900.
Child care, a light dinner and interpreters will be available at both meetings.
Related Stories
‹
![]()
Giving Tuesday Offers Chance to Give Back LocallyToday is Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving. Two collaborative partnerships in Orange County, the Family Success Alliance and Making Connections: Orange County Comprehensive Early Childhood Initiative, are encouraging residents to donate to their campaign to help struggling families in the area. Family Success Alliance communications manager Kristin Prelipp says bringing awareness to local […]
![]()
Orange County Health Department Receives AccreditationThe North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation Board has awarded the Orange County Health Department with a renewed accreditation status. According to Orange County Health Department’s Finance and Administrative Services Division Director Rebecca Crawford, the accreditation process is crucial for health departments statewide. “What the accreditation process does is standardize across the state all of […]
![]()
Kindergarten Readiness Program Aims to Close Achievement GapA local program is helping low-income and at-risk children prepare for kindergarten. 66 children from low-income families or that were identified as needing additional support participated in a summer kindergarten readiness program from the Family Success Alliance to prepare those students for the start of kindergarten. Dr. Michael Steiner is a pediatrician at the North […]
Orange County Woman Wins Lottery Jackpot of More Than $200,000Dorothy Chester of Cedar Grove won a $212,371 jackpot off a $1 lottery ticket earlier this month, the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a release Wednesday. Chester played the online version of the lottery’s Cash 5 game. The odds of matching all five numbers winning the jackpot in this game are 1 in 962,598. […]
![]()
On Air Today: Aria Allen of Economics With AriaAria Allen of Economics With Aria spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, April 13, discussing the most recent episode of her show. On this episode she tackles affordable housing in our community. She discusses what's covered in the episode, the process of putting it together, what comes next for the series, and more.
Orange County Sheriff: Paula Floyd Murder Suspect in Local Custody After Extradition to N.C.UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office shared an alert on the morning of Apr. 10 saying Matthew Vukmer was now in its office's custody.
![]()
Jonathon Smith on Orange County's 2026 Food System Assessment — On Air Today (Apr. 1, 2026)Jonathon Smith — the executive director and food security agent for Orange County's Cooperative Extension — speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell
UNC Club Brings Solar Energy to TABLE, Saving the Pantry Money and Expanding Food AccessWhile not visible to those passing by, something new decorates the rooftop of TABLE’s downtown Carrboro facility.
Chapel Hill And Carrboro Hold Third No Kings Day, Joining Communities NationwideChapel Hill and Carrboro residents participated in the third No Kings Day on Saturday, Mar. 28, protesting President Donald Trump.
Orange County Commissioners Explore Options for Expanding Affordable Housing in MebaneOrange County’s recently met with Mebane to discuss ways to plan for the future of the city and how to accommodate its growing population.
›
