Ask Julie Smith about community and you’ll see her passion come to life. A self described advocate and Brand Champion of United Way, Julie believes that it’s her personal responsibility to give back; to leave the community a better place for future generations. In fact, Julie believes it’s everyone’s responsibility.

 

 

“Increase our diversity and equity knowledge to strengthen our behaviors, practices and values.”

 

This statement is one of the thirteen objectives you will find in our recently approved, three-year strategic plan that will guide our work in 2018-20.

 

What our DEI plan will look like in practice is still being developed by both our staff and our board. Among the activities that have already begun or are about to include:

 

 

With only a few weeks left in the school year, Asheville and Buncombe County students will soon hear the final school bells ring before they’re off to enjoy summer. While there are plenty of simple pleasures to enjoy, many parents are on the search for unique opportunities that their kids can experience. Our volunteer center, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, has a few suggestions for ways to dig, give back to the community, and spend a summer afternoon or two experiencing something you may not normally have a chance to. 

 

 

As we take a moment to celebrate the mothers in our lives and community, it’s important to recognize the necessity of their health and wellbeing and the inequities that exist. From young women and mothers to single moms, caretakers of full families to elder mothers and grandmothers, the needs of women and mothers are vital-- for herself, for her ability to be successful and to the overall health of the community.