Most Ashevillians can probably list half a dozen local nonprofits with ease. While it’s not hard to appreciate what they do in theory, sometimes it’s difficult to make time to get involved.
This week, Green Opportunities, a community-development organization that focuses on job training, is hosting several events that make it easy to connect with the nonprofit and learn more about its work. The gatherings will raise funds for GO programs and celebrate its fifth anniversary.
The evenings also provide opportunities to sample the creations of the GO: Kitchen Ready students. They’ve been training for the past couple of months to enter Asheville’s restaurant and hospitality industry.
On Wednesday, June 19, stop by the French Broad Food Co-op to chat with GO representatives, who will be accepting donations and selling T-shirts from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Later, head over to 5 Walnut Wine Bar. The business is celebrating its third birthday with a block party, three bands and catering by Dough and the Kitchen Ready students. GO is a beneficiary of that event, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and features The Big Nasty from 6 to 8 p.m., Hank West and The Smokin’ Hots from 8 to 10 p.m. and The Juan Benavides Trio from 10 to 12 p.m.
The following evening, Thursday, June 20, GO hosts its fifth anniversary party at the newly opened Mill Room event space on Asheland Avenue. The Kitchen Ready students will cater the event, which is RSVP only. Interested in attending? Contact Robert Wiltshire, director of development for GO, at robert@greenopportunities.org.
The best way to celebrate Green Opportunities may be the Thursday, June 27, graduation event at William Randolph School. All of GO’s job training programs will honor their graduates with a ceremony and reception, catered, of course, by the Kitchen Ready students. Those festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. in the gym at 90 Montford Ave.
“The graduation twice a year sums up what Green Opportunities is all about — job placement for individuals who are overcoming barriers to employment,” Wiltshire says.
For more information about any of the events taking place during Green Opportunities’ fifth anniversary fundraising drive, call 398-4158 or visit greenopportunities.org.
A wonderful organization that helps the community on so many levels. I teach some classes to some of their students about once a month, and always look forward to the experience. The staff is a great group of dedicated individuals, and the students are always eager to learn.