Homework Diners in Asheville and Buncombe County
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County launched Homework Diners in November, 2016. Homework Diners are a dynamic, comprehensive strategy that surrounds students and their families with a continuum of coordinated supports including: academic support, opportunities to build parent-teacher relationships, a free and nutritious meal, connections to community resources volunteer engagement and family leadership. Homework Diners replicate a proven, well-documented model shown to be successful in building connections between parents, teachers, students and community resources.
Shifting Strategy for Safety...
Before COVID-19, Homework Diners were taking place weekly (except on school holidays or early release days) at four Community Schools in Western North Carolina-- Asheville, Enka, Erwin, and Owen Middle Schools. Families gathered in the cafeteria during the scheduled time each week to share a meal, meet teachers, fellow parents, family members, and school faculty. Homework Diners have been open to any family with a K-12 student in the surrounding school district. We are currently working on pivoting Homework Diners to meet students and families in a different way for the current school year.