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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Center for Family and Community Engagement

What’s Happening Now!

This page provides a list of community events coming up in Raleigh and our local area.

In addition to important campaigns like Black History Month, there are also so many fun and exciting family-friendly events and activities happening in the Triangle this winter!

Shows a happy family playing in the snow to demonstrate the point of the page (provide fun winter activities for families).

December 2024 Events

  1. The Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh
    • The Illuminate Art Walk is featured from Friday, December 6, 2024 through Monday, January 6, 2025. This year, The TUNNEL is a new, interactive installation that features a 100-foot beacon of light with towering, mirrored light structures. This is an amazing opportunity for the whole family to get into the holiday spirit for free while exploring Downtown Raleigh!
  2. The Downtown Cary Gifting Tree Project
    • Stroll through Downtown Cary Park as it is transformed into a dazzling Christmas tree display. Local families, schools, and organizations decorate their trees in a competition to win a donation to the nonprofit group of their choice. Voting will be open from December 7-22, 2024.
  3. The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater
    • The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater runs from November 23, 2024 through January 20, 2025. The cost for skater admission is $15 and non-skater admission is $6. Located at 500 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, The Rink at Red Hat is a great option for families looking to enjoy some holiday fun!
  4. The MAKRS Holiday Fest
    • The MAKRS Holiday Fest is on December 14, 2024 from 11:00am-6:00pm. Admission is free and you’ll be able to check out over 150 vendors, as well as music, food trucks, activities, and more! Located in Downtown & West Raleigh at 443 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, you won’t want to miss all the festive fun!

January 2025 Events

Monday, January 20, 2025 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day! This is a time to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peace changed the course of history.

Dr. King’s message of nonviolence and his dream of a world where people are judged by the content of their character continue to inspire us. His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement paved the way for significant social progress and reminds us of the power of courage and compassion.

As we reflect on his legacy, let us remember that the work toward equality and justice is ongoing. Today is not only a day of remembrance but also a call to action. We encourage everyone to engage in acts of service, promote kindness, and advocate for positive change in their communities.

Together, let’s build a future rooted in dignity, respect, and opportunity for all.

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Mart

As we step into a new year, many of us are looking for ways to give back to our community and make a difference. Listed below are five volunteering opportunities in Raleigh to consider.

  1. Volunteer Raleigh
    • Volunteer Raleigh partners with city departments and local organizations to connect volunteers to a wide range of community needs. Opportunities include helping with public events, environmental cleanups, and programs supporting vulnerable populations.
  2. Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
    • Volunteers help sort and package donations, assist with food distributions, and support fundraising events. Flexible shifts are available at their Raleigh warehouse throughout the week.
  3. Raleigh Rescue Mission
    • Raleigh Rescue Mission provides support for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering services like meals, shelter, job training, and education. Volunteers can assist with meal preparation, provide childcare during educational workshops, or help organize donations. Regular and one-time opportunities are available.
  4. SPCA of Wake County
    • The SPCA provides care, shelter, and adoption services for homeless pets while promoting responsible pet ownership. Year-round opportunities include walking dogs, socializing cats, and assisting with clerical work. The SPCA also needs help with special events and fostering animals.
  5. Note in the Pocket
    • Note in the Pocket provides clothing to children and families in need. Volunteers can sort and organize clothing donations, create personalized clothing packages, or assist with delivery logistics. Opportunities are available weekdays, evenings, and weekends.

February 2025 Events

Opportunities to Join the Child Welfare Workforce
Tomeko Brown

Child Welfare Workforce

North Carolina is one of nine states in the United States that operates as a federally mandated, state supervised, county administered social services system. This means that social services (including child welfare services and adult services) receive funding and authorization of programs at the federal level. The state (Health and Human Services) provides oversight and support while each county agency is responsible for the delivery and administration of necessary services and benefits to children and families across the state.

Since 2015, North Carolina Child Welfare Services has been working on agency-wide improvements in areas such as service provision, family and youth leadership, staff development, and improving services and support for youth in out-of-home care. Throughout these past eight years, the state has witnessed many positive impacts in communities across the state as a result of these improvements. While county-child welfare agencies continue to raise their standard of care and professionalism in service to their communities, one of the most difficult challenges they face in recent times is staffing shortages. Across the state of North Carolina, many county child welfare agencies are working at less than full capacity staff levels, which leaves the workforce and community feeling the strain. In the field of social work, there are many unique opportunities to assist family members, children, and youth. Social workers help families to tap into their strengths and build resilient support networks to work through personal challenges and make their families safer and healthier. Honoring the principles such as “families are experts about themselves,” “judgements can wait,” and “everyone has strengths,” child welfare staff work tirelessly with families to keep them together, increase access to resources for parents and youth, and engage other community agencies to actively support overall family, child, and youth, wellness. If you or someone you know may be interested in joining the child welfare workforce, please take a look at what opportunities may be available to you here!  

For more information about child welfare jobs, visit the links below.

To look at our archive of past events, you can click the button below.

Past Events!