Have you gotten the news? Smart Start of Buncombe County is now Buncombe Partnership for Children. They have been investing in the First 2,000 Days of a child’s life for almost 20 years in Buncombe County and their mission and vision remain the same:
- Mission: strengthen the capacity of educators, families, and the community to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development begins at birth.
- Vision: every child in our community will reach his or her fullest potential and be prepared for lifelong success.
Please visit their new website, to learn more about their work. Check out their Impact Report and be sure to LIKE on Facebook and FOLLOW them on Twitter.
On Display: Photovoice
Come to our lobby at 50 S. French Broad now through the end of March, to view a mobile display from Buncombe Partnership for Children, titled Photovoice. Photovoice aims to shed light on the lives of local families with young children by putting camera's in the hands of families and asking them to reveal moments from their lives. We'll let you know once it is assembled but here's an idea of what to expect:
Imagine you were asked to answer the following questions with your camera:
- What is it like to keep your family healthy and safe?
- What is your experience as a parent?
This is the very challenge that six local residents accepted this fall. The participants are parents associated with Asheville City Schools Preschool. It is an ethnically and economically-diverse group of women. These mothers, selected because of their interest and emerging leadership abilities, were given cameras, some training in photography, and an assignment: Tell your story through photographs.
Participants worked on a weekly photo assignment that was meaningful for them. During a series of facilitated discussions, this group explored the messages and meanings behind their photographs. They challenged each other and learned from each other. Meeting notes were transcribed and reviewed later by a team for research purposes. At the end of the project, participants decided how to present their stories and begin to identify actionable community change.
It is their hope that people viewing their photographs will do the same by taking time to listen, learn, and share their insights with others. We think you will be struck by how the photos and quotes richly illustrate the many differences and similarities between families in Buncombe County.
