Lee joined BPR as interim news director in January after previously stints at Carolina Public Press and as a writer and education publication Edutopia.
Tag: United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
Showing 1-21 of 21 results
School-based health center opens at Asheville Middle School
A new health center opened May 2 to reach adolescents in need of health care right where they are: in school. Asheville Middle School’s school-based health center, or SBHC, is a medical office located on campus and open during school hours. It is staffed by a physician assistant part-time and a full-time registered nurse; a […]
Q&A with Joseph Jamison, United Way equity and network specialist
“One of the biggest challenges students face is a lack of voice in a lot of decision-making within our schools and the community at large,” Jamison explains. “For example, debates over masks or virtual over in-person learning. We’ve all heard a lot of loud adult voices at the table, but I think most people would be hard-pressed to recall a news clip or an article where they heard what students thought about those decisions.”
Community-based summer programs battle academic inequality
While the statistics are bleak and the systemic obstacles are many, local individuals and community-based organizations are pursuing their own approaches to tackling long-standing inequities among students at Asheville City Schools.
Asheville City Council to consider nondiscrimination ordinance
The city’s proposed nondiscrimination ordinance is nearly identical to that passed 6-0 by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on April 20, which prompted extensive public comment from residents in both support and disagreement.
From EducationNC: Land of Sky works to create a land of more opportunity
The Land of Sky Regional Council, which serves 71 local governments across Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties, recently added educational attainment to its portfolio of goals for Western North Carolina.
Wellness in brief: Mission nurses move closer to union vote
As confirmed by Mission spokesperson Nancy Lindell on June 11, the health system’s legal representatives have chosen not to file an objection regarding how a pre-election hearing was conducted. The National Labor Relations Board will now consider testimony to determine what nurses would be represented by the union, when the vote will take place and how employees will be allowed to cast ballots.
Nonprofits consider new fundraising techniques during COVID-19
With social distancing practices and limited crowd sizes likely the new normal for the foreseeable future, local nonprofits are reconsidering how they go about connecting with their supporters.
Buncombe’s COVID-19 rules stricter than state order
“Buncombe County is going to take actions that best safeguard the public health for Buncombe County residents,” said Fletcher Tove, the county’s emergency preparedness coordinator. He confirmed that the county’s more stringent rules would remain in place through at least the morning of Thursday, April 9.
Volunteers organize to sustain WNC through COVID-19
Myriad nonprofit and community groups are springing into action to help locals persevere through the crisis. As existing organizations adjust their work to focus on COVID-19 needs and new efforts begin to knit neighbors together, community resilience is blooming throughout WNC.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County holds seventh annual Holiday Book Drive
Press release from United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: The seventh annual Holiday Book Drive, held by United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is underway, rallying community support to gather new books for local elementary and middle school students for the holidays. Held from November 1-December 31 in partnership with Barnes & Noble Asheville, […]
Checking in on staffing, strategy shifts at local nonprofits
When the time comes for a new leader or a new strategic direction, nonprofits recognize that sound decisions can mean the difference between a sustainable future and irrelevance. That’s why Mountain Xpress took a look at a spectrum of local nonprofits that have recently experienced significant change s or are now in the midst of transformative shifts in management or focus.
Behind bars: Mass incarceration in Asheville and beyond
For over 35 years, Bryan Stevenson has worked to challenge poverty and racial injustice while arguing for equal treatment in the criminal justice system. On Thursday, April 25, the lawyer, activist and best-selling author will give a talk in UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena.
News briefs: Asheville Habitat celebrates women in construction
Women make up over half of the local nonprofit’s construction staff and work in roles that provide new construction, home repair, volunteer coordination and construction administration. Each year, the Women Build Advocacy Team — aka WomBATs — recruits female volunteers and raises funds. This year’s Women Build House will come together on May 7.
Local nonprofits work with donors for planned giving
They say you can’t take it with you, but what will your money do without you after you’re gone? Many local nonprofits would like you to consider them as you ponder that question. “Most people want to take care of people first,” says Sheryl Aikman, vice president of development for the Community Foundation of Western […]
Nonprofits scramble to adjust to new overtime requirement
A new federal regulation requiring employers to pay workers earning less than $47,476 per year time and a half for overtime could have an outsize impact on the nonprofit sector. Traditionally, many nonprofits have relied on folks who were more interested in following their passion than in earning top dollar or keeping track of hours.
Gray area: Senior volunteers fuel local nonprofits
A great gray army is at work throughout Buncombe County: retired people donating their time to groups of every stripe. This unpaid workforce brings with it a wide variety of life experiences, but its members have remarkably similar goals: to forge connections and make this community a better place, finding meaning through giving back.
State legislative update presented at United Way briefing
At a recent legislative briefing, Annaliese Dolph, registered lobbyist for the United Way of North Carolina, outlined the status of issues within the United Way’s focus areas of health care, education and financial stability.
A community of helpers: Children First/CIS Holiday Giving Program
“We have to remember that the holidays can be a stressful time for some of our families who are living on tight margins,” says Lisa Barlow, Children First/CIS Student support specialist at Emma.
Letter writer: Thanks to one of Asheville’s unsung heroines
“There are unsung heroines in our midst who have made Asheville the scene that it is. One of these women is Ann Von Brock, who recently retired from years working at the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.”
United Way, Asheville Brewing to host collaboration celebration
Fresh on the heels of creating the first beer for LaZoom’s Sister Bad Habit, Asheville Brewing Co. is at it again. This time, they’ve collaborated for a more serious cause: the United Way. On Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Millroom, Asheville Brewing will tap the first keg of United Way Pale Ale at 5 p.m. […]