Nonprofit looks for rape crisis companions

CORNELIUS – United Family Services is recruiting rape crisis companions to comfort rape victims in the Lake Norman area.

Companions respond to rape and sexual assault survivors through a 24-hour crisis hotline and accompany them to the hospitals to provide support, information, advocacy and education, said Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, Lake Norman regional director for United Family Services.

“Their work will make a profound difference in our community,” Firmin-Sellers said.

Volunteers must have the ability to listen, communicate with empathy, maintain a non-judgmental attitude and clear a criminal background check. They must have a telephone and transportation.

United Family Services will hold its next Rape Crisis Companion training 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 13-29 in Charlotte. Trainees must attend all sessions.

United Family Services helps more than 25,000 people annually in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union and southern Iredell counties through its educational and prevention programs.

For more information or to register, contact Carol Roth, 704-367-2799 or croth@ufsclt.org.

Hospital hosts multiple sclerosis education

MOORESVILLE – The Lake Norman Multiple Sclerosis Support Group of Davidson will present an education program for patients with multiple sclerosis and their families.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Craig DuBois, of Lake Norman Neurology, on “Multiple Sclerosis therapies and Treatment Options.”

• Dr. Jill Conway, of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Carolinas Medical Center, on “MRI and Me.”

• Dr. David Konstandt of Carolina Urology Partners, on “Multiple Sclerosis and Urology.”

Vendors will be on-site.

The event, dubbed It’s All In Your Head MS Education Day, takes place 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center meeting rooms A and B, 171 Fairview Road, Mooresville.

Registration is encouraged. Email name, number attending, and contact info to msinyourhead1@gmail.com.

Details: Jennifer Frame at 704-241-1226 or Susie Phillips at 704-996-5153.

Deadline approaches for Green Day exhibitors

DAVIDSON – Potential exhibitors for Davidson Lands Conservancy’s Green Day sustainability festival are encouraged to apply for booth space by Aug. 15.

The festival showcases environmentally conscious businesses and organizations. It’s held in conjunction with Run for Green, which consists of a 5K, 10K and half marathon.

The event will be held 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 15 at Davidson Village Green on Main Street at Concord Road.

Last year’s event attracted more than 800 runners, 35 exhibitors and hundreds of people on the green visiting the festival and nearby farmers’ market.

To apply as a Green Day exhibitor, download an application at www.davidsonlands.org or email Davidson Lands Conservancy at DLCGreenDay@gmail.com.

Our Towns Habitat to hold seminar on home repair

CORNELIUS – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity will host an information session for homeowners in Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville who need help with repair work.

The nonprofit will discuss how homeowners will qualify for its home repair program.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Our Towns Habitat for Humanity office, 20310 N. Main St., Cornelius.

Our Towns Habitat provides decent, affordable housing. The nonprofit has served 225 families in Lake Norman towns since 1988.

Details: Miranda Morris, 704-896-8957, ext. 107, or www.ourtownshabitat.org.

Jewish congregation finds location in Davidson

DAVIDSON – Temple Kol Tikvah plans to move into the former church at 605 Delburg St., the Lake Norman Jewish congregation announced.

“Having a permanent home now gives us the place from which we can also contribute to the larger community in a more meaningful and consistent way,” Co-President Slade Goldstein said.

Plans for the up-fit are being finalized but are expected to begin around Sept 1 and end no later than Feb. 1, 2013. Services, events and religious school will all be held offsite until the building is ready.

“We always dreamed of having our own place to worship, but dreams don’t just happen,” Co-President Len Sadek said. “We are truly grateful and humbled by the amount of support and guidance we have received from our members and Davidson community leaders.”

Details: www.templekoltikvah.org.

Festival benefits Montagnard refugee children

CORNELIUS – Community in Christ Lutheran Church will have a children consignment sale and festival to raise money for Montagnard refugee children.

The program has turned legal refugees from communist Vietnam and helped them learn to read and receive academic awards.

The festival takes place 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 18 at the church, 7621 Norman Island Drive, Cornelius.

The event will feature Holy Smokes barbecue, bouncy house, bungee trampoline, face painting, bake sale and dunking booth. Consignors are welcome.

Details: Ron Major, 704-622-0517 or www.cicconsignmentsale.com.