Description: Join host Sam Ettaro as he interviews the founder of "Put Tools in Schools", Ray Terry and his friends who are doing dynamic work inspiring and educating youth in the Charlotte area about careers in the skilled trades. ABOUT RAY TERRY: Ray was born in Charlotte, NC in 1952. Raised in a blue-collar family with 2 brothers. His mother was a homemaker, and his father was an Electrician, Trained in the Navy as a Seabee. Ray went to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In 1970 after graduating from Ga-ringer High School, Ray went to work. College was not even a thought. He was not happy unless he was around people and working with his hands. He also joined the Army National Guard and served until 1981, advancing to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1971, shortly after graduating, he started his lifelong career in the construction industry. From on-sight helper all the way to superintendent, he worked his way to the top of any job he was a part of. Contractor, remodeler, consultant, designer, inventor, architect, teacher, mentor, educator, commentator, radio host…. these are all “hats” that Ray has worn for more than 54 years. His wide range of knowledge, and hands on experience, and his “gift for sharing” through education and information has been valuable too many in the Charlotte Metro area. For over 32 years, he has shared what he knows and who he knows every Saturday morning on radio air waves as host of About Your House now airing on Fox Sports Charlotte, Podcastradiocarolinas.com, Streaming on FaceBook Live every Saturday morning 8-11am. Now, his Purpose is to raise awareness and help change the image of working with your hands in the Construction Trades. Also, providing many great career pathways for stu-dents that can provide them with a future full of Happiness and Purpose not to mention, no college debt. College is not for everyone, nor should it be. Let’s Put Tools in Schools. When he’s not serving his purpose, he enjoys spending time with nature, going to the beach or the mountains and being outdoors. Hiking, walking, wildlife, and just being around nature in all its splendor are things Ray enjoys most. ABOUT DAVID RICHARDSON. David holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering from Western Carolina and worked 10 years for Corning in Hickory. He was laid off in 2001 and worked construction until hired as a public school CTE technology teacher in 2002. He plans to exit teaching in April to re-enter manufacturing. David has many years of side hustle work in highway, residential and commercial construction. ABOUT JEREMY JOHNSON: Jeremy Johnson grew up in CT and moved to NC when he was 18. He has been an electrician for 24 years, 11 of those with Starr Electric. Jeremy regularly visits high schools to talk with students and teachers about trade awareness. The last 3 years he has visited over 60 high schools, learning centers, and tech centers throughout NC, SC, & VA to create trade awareness and actively recruits students from high school electrical programs where he then teaches them in Star Electric's in-house apprenticeship program where he is a Craft Instructor for NCCER. He has started programs such as the Starr Recycle program where donated materials are gifted to local schools, the Starr High School Prefab Program where students build electrical assemblies and then install those on a construction job site, the Starr Job Shadow program, and volunteer as Chairman of the Board of the SkillsUSA Electrical Competition in Greensboro, NC. Put Tools in Schools is one of his favorite events and it has helped students acquire awesome careers in the trades with companies that train, educate, and offer opportunities that they never knew existed. This Show Is Brought To You By: www.redsea.media and www.scionmedia.org http://www.puttoolsinschools.org Would you like to be a guest on this show? Do you know of a wonderful non-profit that you would recommend for a feature in this series? Contact Producer, Sam Ettaro at www.charlottenow.tv to share! charlottenowtelevision@gmail.com @charlottenowtelevision REFERENCE LINKS: https://www.puttoolsinschools.org https://www.aboutyourhouseradio.com/ www.scionmedia.org www.redsea.media #charlottesmallbusiness #charlottelive #charlottenc #womeninthetrades #skilledtrades #vocationaleducation #charlottenonprofits See less $0 raise

Host/Producer Sam Ettaro and cameraman Jonathan Harrison take to South Charlotte to visit with the founder (Chen Correll) and crew of a non-profit organization that takes care of lawn work and yard maintenance for families in need... free of charge! Visit www.oneyardaway.org This video is brought to you by our dear friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas. Please visit them at www.lifeconnections.us #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte

Host Sam Ettaro introduces viewers to a new free program that helps youth and family members heal through the power of music therapy! Piedmont Music Therapy, LLC of Charlotte is partnering with the Arts & Science Council of Mecklenburg County to provide this program. Sam's special guest for this episode is music therapist Gretchen Chardos Benner who comes on to explain what music therapy is and to share how the public can take advantage of this opportunity. To Learn More and Register Visit: https://www.piedmontmusictherapy.com/asc-info.html #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #musictherapy THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSOR: www.lifeconnections.us ABOUT OUR GUEST: Gretchen Chardos Benner is a nationally board certified music therapist and licensed social worker who earned her bachelor of science and arts degrees with honors in Music Therapy and Viola Performance, in addition to a Psychology minor from Duquesne University. She completed her certification board test after an intensive, ten-month music therapy internship in Cleveland, OH. Training locations included Shaker Heights Middle & High Schools, The Cleveland Music School Settlement, and The Cleveland Clinic: Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Care. Her master’s degree in social work was earned from the University of Pittsburgh with a direct practice concentration. In 2012, Gretchen became a licensed social worker for the state of Pennsylvania and a year later, she became licensed in South Carolina. Prior to establishing Piedmont Music Therapy, Gretchen worked for more than four years at a community hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serving adults with mental health and dependency issues. In addition to facilitating group therapy sessions, she developed and coordinated volunteer performers for an ongoing Live Lobby Music Program benefitting patients, visitors, staff and doctors. Gretchen Chardos Benner returned to the Piedmont Region in order to live closer to family. Research interests include Professional Development within the field of music therapy, and the Sociological Considerations of Individuals Transitioning through Educational and Professional Roles. She continues to perform on the viola in a variety of venues. She recently worked as adjunct faculty at Queens University of Charlotte as a Music Therapy Practicum Supervisor and served as Past President of The Music Therapy Association of South Carolina. Gretchen is grateful to serve the Carolinas with her talented team of music therapists and support access to creative and expressive arts. Gretchen is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.

Guest host Chablis Dandridge takes a tour of an amazing community doing great work creating and sustaining a "Circular Economy" in Charlotte! Come along as we hear from Envision Charlotte's Amy Aussieker and learn about this non-profit's efforts to provide education, inspiration, and a plan to bring together individuals, businesses, government, and whole communities to help create a better future. #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #envisioncharlotte #charlottecity #innovationibarnclt

On this episode of Community Connections, we visit with a group of young men from the University of Memphis who came to Charlotte to help serve our community by building a storage shed for a local non-profit's transitional housing facility. Follow along as guest host Scott W. Peterson learns about Empowered Men of Color, their mission, and what brought them to Charlotte to help our city. Brought to you by our friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc. @lifeconnectionsinc.2723 #charlottenc #charlottenews #charlottenorthcarolina #movingtocharlotte #charlotte #empoweredmenofcolor #universityofmemphis

Charlotte, NC has a vibrant music scene and many musicians who are writing and performing their own material. Musician, instructor, and promoter Mike Graci joins the show to share details on a new original music showcase that he is booking and promoting. He also shares a bit about what brought him and his family to Charlotte, his career in the music scene here, the growth of his music instruction studio, and his plans for growing the successful Carolina Original Music Showcase at Stooges in Mint Hill. RESOURCES: www.mikegraci.com Showcase FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/688030882220456/

Guest Host Scott W. Peterson visits The Matthews Help Center to learn about their decades of service to the people of this region of the Charlotte metro area. Scott interviews Sandra Rose Conway, Executive Director, and Susan Ross, Director of Development. He also takes a tour of the entire facility and gives a preview of the 2023 Matthews Comicon, which served as a massive fund-raising event for the Help Center. This video is brought to you by our dear friends at Life Connections of the Carolinas. Please visit them at www.lifeconnections.us #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte Please be sure to visit Scott at his company's website: www.brokenleginc.com ABOUT OUR FEATURED GUESTS: https://matthewshelpcenter.org/ To provide short-term crisis assistance to our neighbors in the Greater Matthews community. Our Vision A self-sufficient, thriving community for all. Our Values Hope: We serve as a bridge to a better quality of life Empathy: We approach each interaction with kindness and compassion to seek to understand the uniqueness of every situation Love: We treat each other with respect, dignity and listen without judgement Partnership: We engage with the community to empower our clients to overcome their current crisis and be better prepared for tomorrow.

Host/Producer Sam Ettaro welcomes teacher, youth mentor, video producer, musician, and fashion designer Emery C. Jones to the show! Mr. Jones moved to Charlotte four years ago and works with youth within the Mecklenburg County corrections system teaching life-skills and GED courses. He is a retired media teacher from NYC who is passionate about reaching youth in need of solid life direction. #charlotte #charlottenc #charlottenorthcarolina #lifeincharlottenc #charlottenews #charlottencrealestate #movingtocharlotte #charlottencmusic LINKS: Emery C. Jones on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/everse_fmod/ Far Rockaway Cultural Performance Arts https://www.facebook.com/frcpag Life Connections: http://www.lifeconnections.us