What We Do

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Our Commitment to Asheville and Buncombe County

Our primary goal as an organization is to reduce the impact that poverty has on the lives of students, families and communities here in Asheville and Buncombe County. Poverty is a deep-rooted issue, interconnected with education, income and health, and it requires a multi-faceted strategy in each of those areas in order to create lasting change. We do that through a collaborative approach alongside donors, volunteers and community partners in all sectors - nonprofit, public and for-profit business.

Last Year in Buncombe County...

In 2017 alone, over 3,000 Buncombe County residents called 2-1-1, our free 24 hour service line, seeking housing, more than 1,500 sought free and affordable food and over 2,500 calls were received related to healthcare assistance. In Asheville and Buncombe County, 20% of low income students do not graduate from high school and last year, more than 500 children in our public schools were homeless. 

A Collaborative Approach to Reducing the Impact of Poverty in Asheville and Buncombe County

In order to transform lives today, and drive systemic change that improves the opportunities for future generations, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is committed to working with others to do what no one organization can do alone.
 
 
Learn more about our work and our partners work in the community below.

We believe it is critical that we invest community dollars into organizations and programs that provide strong support for the education, financial stability and health of everyone in our community, from infants to elders. Learn more about our vision for our investments and see the full list of programs you helped fund for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

We believe our community is a better place when children are strong, healthy and successful. We all benefit when they graduate from high school and college and are career ready. In order to have the best chance at a good life, it’s important that their families and community are strong and healthy too. See one way you support students and families.

We believe in being there for people when they need us. By simply dialing 2-1-1, anyone in our community can speak to a real person and find the help they need - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are proud to be the caring voice on the other end of the line for our neighbors in 16 western NC counties and to be a part of  United Way of NC’s efforts to serve all 100  NC counties. Find help today: dial 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org

We believe in the transformative power of volunteerism. It is an experience that can change how we view and interact with the world around us and gives each of us the chance to be a “force for good." Find a volunteer opportunity in the community today.