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Guided Van Tours:

The Need in the North

More than 1 in 20 of our Lake Norman neighbors lives below the Federal Poverty Level. Join us for a tour to learn more about our area’s underserved neighborhoods.

While the Lake Norman community is considered an area of great prosperity, more than 5% of our neighbors live below the Federal Poverty Level: $27,750 for a family of four.

Interested in learning how you can help? The Ada Jenkins Center now offers Need in the North van tours of the underserved neighborhoods in the north Mecklenburg towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville.

Focusing on the history of these communities and the challenges they face, leaders from Pottstown, Smithville, Huntington Green, and Davidson West will serve as our tour guides, as their schedules permit.

Each tour runs from 10am to 2pm, starting and ending at the Ada Jenkins Center

(212 Gamble Street, Davidson)

Current scheduled dates in 2025 include Jan. 17, Mar. 21, May 9, July 18, Sept. 26, and Nov. 14. If your group would like to schedule a private tour, or you would like more general information regarding the tour, please contact Diane Means.

Once you select your date, acknowledge the privacy statement and then click the submit button.  If you have trouble registering, please reach out to Diane Means.

On a Friday morning in early May I boarded a van with a guide from the Ada Jenkins Center and two others from the community, and I can say without hesitation that this tour was the most enlightening experience for me.

Laurie R.

We have had the pleasure of hosting groups or representatives
from the following organizations and businesses:

  • Atrium Health
  • Town of Davidson
  • Healthy Meck
  • Grace Covenant Church
  • United Women in Faith – Davidson United Methodist Church
  • Journey Church
  • Rebuilding Together of CLT
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater CLT
  • Girl Scouts
  • NC Clean Energy Fund
  • The PInes at Davidson
  • Read Charlotte
  • Leading On Opportunity
  • Smithville Community Coalition
  • North Meck Rotary
  • North Meck Woman’s Club
  • Unity In Community
  • Novant Health
  • CleanAIRE NC
  • Christ Community Church
  • Peninsula Community Foundation
  • Center for Community Engagement of Davidson College
  • North Meck Nonprofit Fellows
  • Finance Committee of AJC
  • First Citizens Bank
  • Office of Economic Development – Meck County
  • Freedom School Interns of Davidson College
  • Davidson College – Various Student Life Offices
  • Hope House Foundation
  • Mababu Live