Do Greater Design-a-thon was a powerful two-day event where 16 high school students from across Charlotte united to address the pressing issue of homelessness in Uptown Charlotte through the design thinking process. Working in teams, the students explored the complexities of homelessness and developed creative solutions to provide support and resources for those experiencing homelessness.

With guidance from mentors, they brainstormed, prototyped, and refined ideas that focused on educational resources, affordable housing, access to essential services, and community engagement. The event concluded with a showcase where teams presented their solutions, demonstrating their understanding of the challenge and dedication to creating a more compassionate and inclusive Uptown Charlotte.

Thank you to Truist for hosting and supporting Design-a-thon. Thank you to Heal Charlotte, Hope Vibes and Freedom Fighting Missionaries for sharing your stories with students.

Do Greater Charlotte hosted the inaugural Design-a-thon with 20 Charlotte teens in February 2022. Small groups of students were paired with creative professionals and mentors who guided them through the design-thinking process. Groups worked together to identify a community challenge, research and gather data, generate ideas, prototype and test their solution, and present their final product to a panel of community members.