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Community Partner Spotlight on Wing Haven
By: Laura Blake
When you think of a haven, what comes to mind? Perhaps a place you like to go when life gets a little too hectic? Maybe somewhere that brings a sense of peace and calm? Wing Haven is an organization that offers just the space for that.


The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) formed a new partnership with Wing Haven this year. Located in the Myers Park neighborhood, Wing Haven has gardens and a bird sanctuary for visitors of all ages to enjoy. The JLC created a committee of volunteers to support Wing Haven’s Preschool Environmental Education Program (PEEPs). This program exposes preschoolers to the beauty and lessons that nature so uniquely provides.
Each month from October through May, preschool classrooms from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) will visit Wing Haven for an interactive lesson. The JLC committee members commit to lead one classroom for all eight months. The lessons will build on themselves –this year, for example, the children will create a garden mural for their classroom to add to each time they visit Wing Haven. The consistency from familiar JLC faces and cumulative lessons will significantly benefit the children’s experience. They can form relationships with the JLC volunteers and feel comfortable interacting with them as they get to know each other over the months.
Committee Chair Marsha Perry described how the Wing Haven partnership offers something unique for JLC members and children they help. “It’s something different,” she explained. “A lot of League opportunities are indoors.” In a world with toys and technology that make staying inside so appealing, being in nature is even more important for children these days. Marsha highlighted how it helps them to focus, builds confidence and is good for physical and mental health. “They need to get out of the classroom,” she said. “All kids should be outside!”
Wing Haven also presents opportunities for all JLC members and the public to get involved. “It’s not just the PEEPs program,” Marsha said. For example, there was an event in October called Harvest at the Haven. Marsha described it as “a big celebration for the fall season,” during which Wing Haven coordinated ways for people to give back to the community. Attendees were able to harvest vegetables, prepare the gardens for winter and donate to a food drive.