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
The Coalition for Community Schools is convening the Community Schools National Forum May 2-4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland and we're excited to be attending and presenting alongside administrators, educators and leaders from Asheville and Buncombe County. This Coalition is an alliance of national, state and local organizations in K-16 education, youth development, community planning and development, family support, health and human services...Read More
While volunteer work in itself provides the reward to those willing and able to offer their time and expertise to their community, it’s always heartwarming to take a moment and talk to those people about why they give back. From retired teachers to working parents, business leaders and young, big-hearted community members, we are thankful to know so many who share their time here in Asheville and Buncombe County. With National Volunteer Week...Read More
COMING SOON
A NEW TEAM MEMBER
We are pleased to announce that Beth Benzing will be joining our team as the new Leadership Giving Manager. In her new role, Beth will serve as the primary staff contact for both Women United and Peaks Society. Her start date is May 7th.
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Beth received her B.A. in English and Graduate Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies from the University of South Carolina. She is...Read More
As we reach our 100th Homework Diner, here in March of 2018, just two years since we first put feet on the ground in local middle schools in this capacity, one reaction we continue to get is, “I didn’t know these were open to all families living in each school district. I thought they were only for the students and families in the schools they're held in.” In fact, during the past year, students from more than 40 schools in Buncombe County...Read More
UNC Asheville Alumni, Math Teacher, Homework Diner Mentor...
When we first began the Homework Diner program just a year and a half ago in Erwin, Enka and Asheville Middle Schools, we knew that it would uplift students and families by providing a safe space to gather, learn and connect. We couldn’t have imagined just how many amazing community members we would meet along the way--entrepreneurs able to take an hour from their morning to visit a...Read More
“If you just place the shirt upside down on the smart folder and fold both the sleeve sides, then up the middle, you’ll have a perfect fold. We need a small loan of $12 for the duct tape and we’re going to sell these for about $6-$7. We thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you,” a seventh grade student at Asheville Middle School shared, dressed sharply in a blue button down and tie alongside his classmate/business partner...Read More
