NONPROFIT issue
GREATER THAN THE SUM OF OUR PARTS Local nonprofits share the value of collaboration and partnership
When Xpress asked local nonprofits about the role of collaboration in empowering their respective missions, one thing became crystal clear: We stand stronger and serve better when we work together. For our annual spring nonprofit special edition, we invited these groups to share their stories while reflecting on specific initiatives they offer that embody the strength of community collaboration. The responses they submitted amply demonstrate that networking, cooperation and collaboration reinforce, fuel and empower both the reach and the impact of each organization’s work, supporting the Gestalt psychology idea that together we are greater than the sum of our parts. Working together, we become something more than we could ever hope to be alone. In the case of Children First/Communities In Schools, collaboration results in a dynamic enrichment program for at-risk youth. Organizational collaboration enables T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating
by Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt
to break through the stereotypes surrounding eating disorders. For Nuestro Centro, community partnership supports after-school programming for Spanishspeaking children, helping teachers and families deepen their relationships. Supported by an extensive network of volunteers, organizations like Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue and Phoenix Landing are saving the lives of hundreds of cats, dogs and parrots in our community. Volunteerism enables Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County to deliver nutritious meals to homebound elders. And on it goes. If the wealth of Western North Carolina can be measured by the quality and number of nonprofits committed to bettering our collective well-being, then we are indeed a rich community. And we’re richer still because we are standing together and supporting one another. X Interested in being featured in the winter nonprofit special issue? Contact asezakblatt@mountainx.com.
Beginning Friday, May 9
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AND Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet
SuNDAy May 18 at 5 PM The Masonic Temple 80 Broadway
DowNTowN ASheville
ThurSDAy May 22 at 7:30 PM white horse Black Mountain 105 Montreat rd BlACk MouNTAiN
TiCkeTS
www.panharmonia.org 828.254.7123
$15 advance at www.panharmonia.org/shop $20 day of the show, available at the door $5 for students, available at the door only