United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County currently employs four Resource Coordinators who work full time in four Asheville City and Buncombe County schools: Asheville, Enka, Erwin and Owen Middle. While our organization has held a presence in these local middle schools (and others via the Early Warning and Response System), for several years, the Resource Coordinator role is one that was born within the last three. Their position was...Read More
Campaign season will be upon us soon — and with it, a whirlwind of events, socials, and informational meetings. We wanted to share a bit about the important players and moving parts that make it all possible.
The Employee Workplace Campaign gives local businesses and organizations — from mom and pop shops to the largest employers in Buncombe County — the opportunity to fight for the education, health and financial stability of our community by...Read More
UNITED WAY CHAMPION AND ADVOCATE
Ask Julie Smith about community and you’ll see her passion come to life. A self described advocate and Brand Champion of United Way, Julie believes that it’s her personal responsibility to give back; to leave the community a better place for future generations. In fact, Julie believes it’s everyone’s responsibility.
Born and raised in Waynesville, Julie’s work ethic of “Do it right, or don’t do it at all,” has...Read More
((PICTURED: Beloved former NC 2-1-1 coworker Danica Spencer's son lending a hand at
Fill the Bus, part of the annual School Supply Drive.))
Alleviating Need in Asheville and Buncombe County One Backpack at a Time
Nationally, over 1.36 million school age children K-12 have been identified as homeless. Buncombe County Public Schools and Asheville City Schools combined identified 800 homeless students during the 2017-2018 school year. Still...Read More
“Increase our diversity and equity knowledge to strengthen our behaviors, practices and values.”
This statement is one of the thirteen objectives you will find in our recently approved, three-year strategic plan that will guide our work in 2018-20.
Learning and Taking Action
What our DEI plan will look like in practice is still being developed by both our staff and our board. Among the activities that have already begun or are about to...Read More
With the first day of summer quickly approaching, the possibilities to get outside and explore in western North Carolina are endless. One practice you may not be able to enjoy in community outside as often as you'd like, will now be added to the list of activities as well--yoga. Asheville Yoga Center is excited to lead series of classes outdoors this summer for their 6th Annual Yoga in the Park series, running once a month from June-September...Read More
Perhaps you’ve heard of the community school strategy, either through local nonprofit Children First/Communities in Schools, an organization committed to advocating for and empowering children and families living in poverty, or through our organization via the weekly Homework Diners happening in conjunction with Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools. Perhaps you’ve yet to hear the term and are curious what sets this strategy...Read More
With only a few weeks left in the school year, Asheville and Buncombe County students will soon hear the final school bells ring before they’re off to enjoy summer. While there are plenty of simple pleasures to enjoy, many parents are on the search for unique opportunities that their kids can experience. Our volunteer center, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, has a few suggestions for ways to dig, give back to the community, and spend a summer...Read More
As we take a moment to celebrate the mothers in our lives and community, it’s important to recognize the necessity of their health and wellbeing and the inequities that exist. From young women and mothers to single moms, caretakers of full families to elder mothers and grandmothers, the needs of women and mothers are vital-- for herself, for her ability to be successful and to the overall health of the community.
In honor of Mother’s Day,...Read More
This week has been incredibly difficult for our whole community, and particularly for children.
The murders and critical wounding of the members a local family as a result of family violence have shaken us all to the core. This horrific act impacts all who know and love the Smith family. In homes and classrooms across our city, children and adults alike are broken hearted and asking each other “Why?”
Earlier this week teachers across our...Read More
