Hands on ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE
HANDS ON ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
HANDS ON ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE, United Way’s volunteer center, is committed to bringing people together to strengthen our community through meaningful volunteer action.
UNITED WAY has managed Buncombe County’s volunteer center since the 1970s, so we have valuable, deep relationships with schools and nonprofit organizations. We have access to training opportunities, research and a professional network that ensures best practices.
WE can help you build or expand effective volunteer projects that work with your employees’ interests and schedules.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
Middle School Success Initiative “Working as a volunteer
at Enka Middle School has been a truly rewarding experience. I love to see students getting excited about learning something new or difficult. It is so much fun to see the light bulb go on, and to know that as a volunteer you are part of the learning process that helped nudge, and motivate them to get there.
”
-John Kelley, Entrepreneur, Volunteer tutor at Enka Middle School
Middle school can be a tough time with significant social, emotional, and physical changes taking place all at once. UNITED WAY’S MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE aligns partners from a large cross-section of our community to tackle these complex issues together. If any middle school student has 1 or more of the following ABC indicators during their middle grades years - and there is no intervention - their likelihood of high school graduation drops to 25%. • Attendance- missing 18 days or 10% of school • Behavior- two or more mild to serious referrals • Course Performance- failing a core course such as English or Math
“Could someone help me with these? I’m late for math class.”
“WHO GOT YOU THROUGH” VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: SPECIAL EVENTS such as helping with “Family Night/Homework Diner” or teaching a new skill. BREAKFAST/LUNCH BUDDIES share a meal at school with a student in need of support. MENTORING by a caring adult can do wonders for both the student and the mentor. BEFORE SCHOOL TUTORS are matched with students that need assistance.
In Asheville and Buncombe County, children who live in poverty graduate from high school at a rate of 78% while their classmates graduate at a rate of more than 91%. In 2015, more than 740 students in our public schools were homeless.
Those who live in poverty must navigate significant obstacles in order to make it to graduation. Every student that doesn’t graduate from high school faces a life filled with greater obstacles, impacting their long-term health and income and often determining whether or not they live in poverty the rest of their life. United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
We need your help! Get involved as a caring adult today. Visit handsonasheville.org/middleschool to learn more.
SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROJECTS FOR EVERYONE
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE (JULY) Host an employee-led supply drive. Each year, the drive continues to grow - helping to outfit hundreds of local students from Asheville/Buncombe schools with fully-stocked backpacks! HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER) Share in the spirit of giving this season by participating in our Holiday Book Drive to support United Way’s Middle School Success Initiative. Donated young-adult books will be gifted to middle school students served by our Asheville Buncombe Middle Grades Network partners. DAYS OF IMPACT (SPRING/FALL) Days of Impact are corporate volunteer service events coordinated by Hands On that occur twice each year. Days of Impact mobilize employee volunteers to strengthen our community by matching teams with service projects focused on education, income and health goals that support the success of our community’s students, their families and neighbors. Example projects include: moving homeless people into housing, reading to students and participating in a financial education simulation with students.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Visit the Hands On database and browse over 200+ volunteer opportunities with local partner agencies and schools! Search by interest area, date or family-friendly to name a few options. United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
OFFSITE PROJECTS*
TEAM-BUILDING MEETS COMMUNITY IMPACT Customized projects are a great way to impact lives in our community while also focusing on your employee engagement goals. Projects are developed with your goals in mind and all details are taken care of by Hands On Asheville-Buncombe staff. We do all the planning and logistics so you and agency/school staff don’t have to worry! We provide: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
»» Customized project based on your group size, interests, goals, community needs and desired timeline »» All outreach to the schools or nonprofit agencies »» Detailed project plan including location, agency mission, project description, scope of work and tasks, “run-of-show” timeline for day of project, directions, and weather contingency plan
LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
»» Pre-project site visit and inspection »» All communication with partner nonprofit agencies »» Coordination of the purchase of supplies, tools, refreshments and meals ONSITE MANAGEMENT
»» Project staging and supply delivery, registering and tracking volunteers, managing volunteers, and project execution
»» A representative at the project to act as liaison to the school or agency »» Project trouble shooting on site »» Information to employees or group members who wish to know more about how to volunteer in their communities
REPORTING IMPACT
»» »» »» »»
Project evaluations and summary project achievements Pre- and post-event photos shared with all partners Project achievements highlighted on our website and social media outlets Invite to local media to cover volunteer projects
Great Things Happen When We LIVE UNITED! 84 NTCA employees volunteered their time to serve the students, families and staff of Enka Middle School. Collectively, volunteers gave 400 hours of service in just one day, saving the school and county about $5,400 in labor costs alone. Volunteers engaged in a variety of projects to create a welcoming environment and enhance learning spaces. NTCA project captains demonstrated leadership skills and employees enhanced team-building by volunteering together on specific projects at the school. United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
*PROJECTS TAKE PLACE IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. BUDGET REQUIRED.
ONSITE PROJECTS*
ENGAGE EMPLOYEES IN A “WE CARE!” EXPERIENCE Hands On coordinates “We Care!” Engagement Events for employee teams to participate in impactful
service experiences that reduce the impact of poverty on people’s lives. These events connect the dots between the volunteer activity and the community need behind each package created. For each project, we invite a guest speaker from the local benefitting nonprofit organization to share their story and talk to the team about the impact these packages have on the individuals and families they serve each day. Each package listed below is placed in a bag or box that is personally decorated by your employee volunteers, along with a handwritten note of encouragement. HANDS ON MANAGES ALL ASPECTS OF THE EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING: • Facilitating all logistics before, during and after the event • Communicating with your company team leader and the benefitting nonprofit • Purchasing the needed supplies • Managing the onsite volunteer experience • Delivering the completed packages afterwards • Project evaluations and summary project achievements • Pre- and post-event photos shared with all partners • Project achievements highlighted on our website and social media outlets “WE CARE!” PACKAGES INCLUDE: Snack Packs- Beverage and snack items given to students who need additional nutritional assistance.
Activity Kits- Activity books, stickers, coloring supplies given to children of families going through crisis. Domestic Violence Shelter Kit (Parent)- Personal care and other items given to parents living at shelters. Domestic Violence Shelter Kit (Child)- Personal care and other activity items given to children living at shelters.
New Mother Kit- Diapers, baby care items and educational materials given to new mothers impacted by poverty.
Personal Care Kits- Personal care items given to students and families who are currently homeless. Welcome Home Box- Basic home supplies given to recently homeless individuals/families who are now in housing.
*PROJECTS ARE HELD ONSITE AT YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS. BUDGET REQUIRED.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT GET YOUR COMPANY INVOLVED
HOW TO GET STARTED We know the benefits to corporate volunteering—retention of top talent, improved skills, increased employee satisfaction and a positive public image to name a few—but sometimes, it can be challenging for businesses to connect with a nonprofit or to coordinate a project on their own.
That’s where Hands On Asheville-Buncombe can help. PROCESS FOR ONSITE AND OFFSITE PROJECTS:
STEP 1: Visit www.handsonasheville.org/corporate-engagement and review the volunteer engagement menu. STEP 2: Complete the online form and a Hands On staff member will contact you to determine your employee engagement goals and interest. Every request is handled professionally and with excellent customer service. STEP 3: Select your project from the options Hands On proposed. Once your selection is confirmed, Hands On staff will be in frequent communication regarding all project details.
GUIDELINES FOR ONSITE AND OFFSITE PROJECTS:
Submit the online form a minimum of 6 weeks before your anticipated project date. Please allow 8+ weeks of planning for multiple projects, a series of dates or large volunteer groups (more than 25 volunteers). Your company will need to assign a team leader to communicate the project details to your employees. He/she will be responsible for communicating to co-workers about assignments, recommended clothing, project location, parking, etc. Hands On will provide all information, including logistics, to the company team leader. A budget is required for most service projects. If this is the case, Hands On will develop an agreement that outlines responsibilities of both Hands On and your company. Payment will be due before the project(s) occurs as Hands On handles all aspects of supply procurement and project management.
Get started today! www.handsonasheville.org/corporate-engagement United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County