*Registration payment includes Credit Cards and Interfund Transfers ONLY.
Community health ambassadors, community and faith-based leaders, health educators, grassroot and neighborhood organizers, non-profit and community-based organizations, wellness, mental health and other health advocates.
Day 2: Faith-Based Track
Friday, March 27, 2026 / Faith-Based Wellness & Community Resilience
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Registration 8:30 am
A continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided.
Click HERE to go back to the Institute main page.
THEME: Faith in Action: Building Healthier Congregations & Stronger Communities
Are you ready to harness the power of faith to uplift health and resilience in your community?
Join us for Day 2 of the 2nd Annual Community Engagement Ambassador Institute—a unique opportunity for faith-based leaders, public health ambassadors, and community champions to deepen their impact.
Why Attend Day 2?
• Discover how faith communities can be catalysts for health and healing.
• Participate in devotion, skill-building sessions, and collaborative learning focused on wellness ministry development and mental health in congregations.
• Explore partnerships that strengthen both spiritual and physical well-being.
• Network with peers and connect with local organizations at our vendor expo, highlighting real-world examples of faith in action.
• Enjoy a day filled with inspiration, practical tools, and complimentary breakfast, snacks, and lunch.
Day 2 Objectives: Faith in Action—Building Healthier Congregations & Stronger Communities
Day 2 centers on the powerful role of faith communities in supporting health and healing. Our objectives are designed to help you lead, connect, and inspire positive change in your congregation and beyond:
1. Explore the Role of Faith Communities in Health and Healing
o Examine how congregations can support mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
o Highlight real-world examples of faith in action for healthier communities.
2. Develop and Strengthen Wellness Ministries
o Equip participants with tools to build or enhance wellness ministries within their faith communities.
o Share best practices for integrating health promotion and prevention into congregational life.
3. Address Mental Health in Congregations
o Increase awareness of mental health challenges and resources available for faith communities.
o Provide skill-building sessions to support mental health and resilience among members.
4. Foster Partnerships for Community Resilience
o Connect faith leaders and ambassadors with local organizations and programs that strengthen spiritual and physical health.
o Encourage collaboration between congregations and community partners to address health disparities.
5. Empower Participants to Advocate for Wellness
o Teach advocacy strategies for promoting health and healing within congregations and neighborhoods.
o Encourage participants to use their voice and influence to support community wellness initiatives.
Become a Community Engagement Ambassador!
Are you passionate about making a difference in Mecklenburg County? Are you ready to step into a space where your faith and leadership can help build healthier congregations and stronger neighborhoods. Apply now to attend Day 2 and be part of a movement that puts Faith in Action for Mecklenburg County!
Opportunities available:
• Attendee: Participate in one or both days of the Institute.
• Facilitator/Presenter: Share your expertise and lead sessions.
• Vendor/Exhibitor: Showcase your organization or services.
How to Apply:
Click HERE to complete the Community Engagement Ambassador Application.
Important Dates:
• Application Deadline: January 5, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: By Friday, January 30, 2026
Eligibility:
Applicants must live or work in Mecklenburg County.
Full Agenda coming soon!
Institute Creator
Gwendolyn Devins, MPH,CCHW
Community Engagement Manager, Mecklenburg County Public Health
Understanding the Why
“Rooted in my resilience and born from a deep passion to engage community, this Institute is meant to empower! It's more than a training—it's the start of a movement joined by those closest to the issues." - Gwendolyn Devins
Institute Facilitators
Charlene Whitaker-Brown, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CHFN, RN
CEO & Founder, The Mindheart Institute and Wellness Center 
Jada Jackson, MEd
Associate Director of Academic and Community Partnerships
Location
South Piedmont AHEC
5039 Airport Center Parkway, Building K
Charlotte, NC 28208
Classroom 17/18
Continuing Education Credits
0.6 CEUs
6.0 Contact Hours
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
Application for CHES® (entry-level) / MCHES® (advanced level) Category I continuing education contact hours (CECH) has been made to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).
Certified in Public Health by National Board of Public Health Examiners
Up to 6.0 CPH Recertification Credits may be earned per each day attended.
Click HERE to learn more about the National Board of Public Health Examiners and the credit submission process.
Sponsors and Partners
Registering for the conference gives South Piedmont AHEC permission to share your information with conference partners and Mecklenburg County Public Health. Registering for and attending a South Piedmont AHEC program authorizes South Piedmont AHEC to take audio, video, and/or still images to be used for promotional and educational purposes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your South Piedmont AHEC team member.
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