Children First/Communities In Schools Buncombe County

2012-2013 Annual Report

Dear Friends,

Thank you for another great year!

While we’ve faced some political and financial challenges as an organization and as a community, we’ve also had many successes. I’m pleased to share the outcomes of the past year with you, as well as thank all of those who have supported us.

We’ve been working on strengthening the connection between our programs – creating a holistic web of support for the children and families we serve. The goals we helped one of our mom’s achieve best illustrates this holistic approach. Lydia was a survivor of domestic violence, and the mother of three young girls. A few years ago she found herself homeless and raising her daughters on her own with no family support. She learned about Children First/CIS’s Family Resource Center at Emma from the local school, and came in for information and a food box.

With case management, direct services, and referrals, Lydia’s life is more stable. She is living in an apartment, has started her own cleaning business, and has enrolled her daughter in Children First/CIS’s afterschool Learning Center program, which allows Lydia the time to develop and support her new business.

“I would still be homeless if it weren’t for people like Lisa and Norma,” Lydia said at our 2013 Child Watch Tour, where she advocated for affordable housing for low-income families. With our advocacy work, we continue to work on the legislative level to ensure our state officials keep families like Lydia’s in mind when they are making policy decisions.

On behalf of Lydia and all of the families we serve, thank you for your interest in Children First/Communities In Schools!

Sincerely,

Allison JordanExecutive Director

Advocacy/ Success Equation

“Home is somewhere to live and eat. A safety place with someone to care for me and if I’m alone, I lock the door and I feel safe” 9-year old

Children First/CIS educates, inspires, and engages community members around public policy at local and state levels. Through our Success Equation, we focused our attention in the areas of early childhood development, family supports, and family economic stability.

• Over 550 signatures or emails were delivered this year to support our advocacy message to policy makers.

• Provided advocacy training/workshops and issue presentations reaching over 150 people.

• In close partnership with Just Economics, we passed a city living wage ordinance for city employees and contract employees in June 2013. Additionally, the campaign won passage of a county ordinance to pay living wages to county employees in 2012.

• The Success Equation delivered 88 petition signatures to BCS Board of Education in support of the Summer Meals Program. When the program was announced for summer 2013, we connected volunteers to host a summer meals site in the Emma Community that served over 1,000 meals to children.

• The Success Equation collected and delivered 100 petition signatures and letters to Asheville City Council to support increased funding for the Housing Trust Fund and maintaining existing City Transit service during the FY13-14 budget process. Staff spoke at council budget hearings on these issues.

• 2012 Success Equation voter education activities included:

• Distributed over 9,000 copies of a nonpartisan Voter Guide with a companion website. The guide was co sponsored by Democracy NC and 11 local nonprofits. The website had over 1,500 unique visitors and 5,700 page views before Election Day.

• We called 279 registered voters living in areas around our three Learning Centers to encourage them to vote. 91% of the 204 voter pledges voted, compared to 68% statewide and 69% Buncombe County.

A community movement to reduce the root causes of child poverty, creating an environment in which all children can thrive.

The success equationUniting Community to Reduce Poverty

So All Children Can Thrive

The success equation Uniting Community to Reduce Poverty

So All Children Can Thrive

Family Resource Center at Emma At our Family Resource Center at Emma, we help English-speaking and Latino families in crisis by providing emergency assistance (food pantry, clothing closet, and financial assistance), information and referral, case management, parenting classes, and a community garden.

• The food pantry provided a total of 733 duplicated food boxes (215 unduplicated) to 215 households (333 adults and 463 children.)

• The clothing closet provided free clothing to 84 families including 154 children.

• 41 families (50 adults, 105 children) received a total of $6,016.50 in emergency assistance to prevent disconnection of utilities and eviction.

• 225 families were served with information and referral.

• 204 children received Holiday gifts.

• 2 Love and Logic parenting classes were provided in Spanish and English for a total of 12 parents.

• 7 Latino mothers completed the Motheread Program and reported an increase in their literacy and communication skills in their native language as well as in English.

• 12 Latino Middle and High School students were mentored and tutored by Warren Wilson College Students through the MANOS program.

“I just think the FRCE is a great outlet. If you have an issue or a problem you can come here to get the answer.” Pat LaPier, FRCE client

“This is the best place I’ve ever been!” – Kindergartner at Learning Center at Pisgah View

In loving memory of Jetta Redmond

Learning CentersAt our Learning Centers at Deaverview, Pisgah View, and Woodridge, we provide afterschool programs that deliver one-on-one academic assistance, healthy snacks, and enrichment activities for 60 at-risk, elementary-aged children every year.

• Over the course of the year, 58 students attended the Learning Center program for three or more grading periods. 35 out of 58 (60%) students maintained or increased their GPA.

• 100% of the students at all 3 Learning Centers graduated to the next grade.

• Over the course of the year there was an improvement in behavior in school and at the Learning Centers.

• Parents were given 80 opportunities to become involved. An average of 92% of parents were involved at least once during any given quarter, while an average of 72% of parents were involved two or more times per quarter.

• Parent volunteer hours were record-breaking for our program: between the three Learning Center sites parents volunteered 693.7 hours!

• Between the three Learning Center sites, over 50 community members volunteered 1,076.75 hours.

Project POWER/AmeriCorpsThrough Project POWER, AmeriCorps members provide mentoring and enrichment activities to vulnerable youth in Buncombe County.

• 25 members served approximately 61,403 hours and 1,069 students in Buncombe County with enrichment activities.

• Created a 12-member disaster team trained in shelter operations, emergency assistance, first aid, and CPR that can be deployed in case of a national emergency. 

• Provided academic enrichment services to 1,069 students. Of those students, 1,061 passed onto the next grade.  This is a 97.07% pass rate and 948 showed an attitudinal improvement (94.56%.)

• Recruited 824 volunteers and 54 mentors who served 15,575 hours.

• Completed 31 service learning projects, serving 879 students.

“In school, I learned a lot about the problems our world has. As a Project POWER/AmeriCorps member, I learn about the solutions. I am part of the solution.”

Jordan Diamond, Project POWER/AmeriCorps

Project POWER is funded by the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service and the Coorporation for National and Community Service. This material is based upon work work supported by the CNCS under the AmeriCorps Grant No. 11AC124652. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not neccessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, the Corporation or the AmeriCorps program.

Success CoordinatorsAt Johnston and Emma elementary schools, our Success Coordinator program helps students succeed in school by addressing their basic needs and surrounding them with a community of support.

Last year, the CF/CIS Success Coordinators at Johnston and Emma Elementary Schools:

• Offered 35 short-term services that addressed school-wide needs.

• Provided 497 service hours to 3,652 students (duplicated).

• Provided more intensive services to 66 at-risk students, including:

“I have a go-to person who has

eased some of my worries when I

couldn’t do it. She makes me feel like

I’m welcome and I never feel like

I’m a bad person. She’s been great!!”

Brandi, Success

Coordinator client

• One on one tutoring• Purchasing glasses for a student• Completing home visits• Connecting families with Mental Health

services and assisting them in filling out their children’s Medicaid forms

• Assisting families in working with Buncombe County School Homeless Prevention Program

• Working with CHAPS team (Child Helping and Parent Support) with key school faculty

Individual Donors:James and Diane Abbott Sandra Abromitis Joan Marie Alston Adrienne Ammerman Carol Anders Loretta Andrews Anonymous In honor of Greg BoromMarian Arledge Nels Arnold Garrett and Evelyn Artz Shonda and Marc Asaad Jane Atchison CP Atkins Ismini Barlas Lisa Barlow Amy Barry Susan Bean David Beebe Erica Bell Bill Biddle Susan Blexrud Janice Blunt Elizabeth Bolton Anne Bonnyman Greg Borom and Cindy Shealy Robert and Barbara Borom In honor of Greg BoromLaura and David Bourne Mary Alice Boyd Bart and Elaine Boyer Chris Bradt Kenneth Brame Steven Breckenridge Sallie and Claude Broach Laura and Stephen Brown Kirk and Shelley Brown Audrey Bryant Debbie Bryant Nathan and Anne Burkhardt Allan Campo and Nancy Harrison Charlotte Caplan James Carter Ellen Clarke and John Byrd Kathy Coco and Deborah Ramsey Margaret Conger In memory of her husbandAnn Coxe Chris and Angela Crawford Thomas and Joan Crook Jeanne Cummings Kelvin Cyrus John and Jeannie Davis Jan and Steve Davis Roy and Madeline Davis Hugh Davis Julia Dearing Freeman and Elizabeth Denton Lynne Diehl Greg Dillingham

Alan Dobbins Malcolm and Pat Douglas George and Debbie Duncan Lyn Dunn Jennie Eblen and Rick Perkins Derek and Amanda Edwards Bruce and Judy Elliston Blake and Cindy Esselstyn In honor of Greg BoromMary Farmer and I. Michael Dowling Rubin Feldstein Erin and Read Fendler Leah Ferguson Tim and Carleene Finger Thomas and Patricia Fitzpatrick Jodi Ford In memory of Carole Ford Don and Genevieve Fortuna Margaret Franc Randal and Sally Frazer Jill Fromewick David and Janice Garver Harry and Kathy Gentry Charles and Patricia Glazener Carol Goins Jerri Goldberg Althea Gonzalez Elio Gonzalez Adrianne Gordon and Jennifer Harris Margo Gorius Jeffrey and Barbara Gould Tyrone Greenlee Robert and Laresa Griffin Barbara Grissett Rhoda and Bill Groce Stanley and Carmina Grygiel Richard and Yolanda Hall Jacquelyn Hallum Susan and Joseph Hamrick Norma Hanson Delmas and Mabel Hare Blair Hatt Patricia Hayes Peggy Heilig Linda Hemstreet Richard Henning Carla Henry Ruth Hill Pat Hinkley Tonya Hogan Stace and Sheila Horine In honor of Allison JordanOlson and Marylyn Huff Elizabeth Hunter Ann Hunting-Williams Susan Jackson Bill and Kennon Jamieson Ross and Gwin Jones Sandy Jones

Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County 2012-2013 Contributors

Elizabeth Jones Allison Jordan Mary Kay Jordan Hill Jordan and Denise Hartzell Linda and Andrew Kane Leah Karpen Ron Katz Patsy Keever and Jim Aycock David Keller and Emily Wilmer Leo Kelly Angela Kemper Charles and Sharon Killian Allen Kime, Jr Robert Kirkman Scott and Susan Kitson Julie Klipp - Nicholson Harald and Karen Kowa Richard Lance Susan and Donald Lemmon In memory of Scott LemmonKellett and Mardi Letson Ralph and Nancy Lewis Deborah Lonon Meredith and John Love In honor of John and Christine LoveJim Lowder and Jerene Broadway Jean Marie Luce In honor of Bill and Kennon JamiesonCathy and Bob Lyons-Spear Beth Maczka In honor of Jennie EblenRoberta and David Madden Richard Manske Betty Mantiply G. Phyllis Martin Pamela McCall Roger McClesky Doug and Pat McDowell James and Barbara McLean Christine McMillan Alexandra and Terry McPhersonKatherine Russell Miller John Menkes and Honor Moor Fred and Donna Meyer In honor of Allison JordanJean Moore Robert Moore Jr. Ramiro Morales Patricia Moss Alice Myer Martha Neblett Christina Nelson Xiao Ni Cathy Nieman Betty Nokes Lucy Oliver and Thomas Rightmyer Wendy Owen Robert and Martha Pierce Carol Pimentel Barbara Plimpton Linda Poss Francella Poston Michael Poulos and Julie Lehman Kenneth Prentice

Deborah Pressley Shirley Quisenberry Daniel Raber Jennifer Ramming Robert and Kathy Rauch Marion Reger Susan Reynolds Gordon Rice and Ronald Salman Maria Roloff Jeffrey and Bea Russell Jim Samsel and Kim McGuire Bill and Anne Satterfield Candy Sellers Lisa Sellers Rosemary Sells Frederick Selph Jo Anne Setzer Chrissy Sibley Randy Siegel Fred and Jackie Simms Cameron and Wendy Smail Phil and Pat Smith Bonnie and Jere Smith Cynthia and Durham Smith In honor of Shanon Fagan MartinRobert and Linda Spangler Tom and Bonnie Spradling Ken Stamps Sharon Steele Douglas and Honor Stewart Tahani Sticpewich Margaret Storey Paul and Diane Summey, II Richard Sunshine Susanne Swanger Mac Tidwell Bruce Tompkins Cheri Torres Brian and Katina Turner William and Barbara Turner Robert and Patricia Tuttle Bill and Treva Upton Daphne Urquhart Teresa Van Duyn Diane Vander Linden Leslie and Shannon Vann Marleen Varner Mary Lou Vitek Timothy Wagner Sam and Joanne Walker III Peter and Pat Wallenborn Yvette Wessel Jack Wheeler Judith Whelchel Mark Whipple and Renee Raffini Penny White and Barbara Norton Mason and Prue Wilson Harry and Genelda Woggon Alida Woods Robert Wootton A. Frazier and Jenny Mathews Worth Emma Wright D.G. Zook

Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County 2012-2013 Contributors

Foundations/ Government GrantsBeattie FoundationBluePrint NCBuncombe County CarePartners FoundationCity of AshevilleCommunity Foundation of Henderson CountyCommunity Foundation of WNCFanny Landwirth Foundation IncGlass FoundationGoodSearchHousing Authority of the City of AshevilleHerr Family FoundationHillsdale Fund, Inc.Huisking Foundation, Inc.Lampton Family Charitable FundMary Duke Biddle FoundationThe Titmus FoundationUnited Way of Asheville/BuncombeWells Fargo FoundationZ. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Civic/Faith Asheville Breakfast Rotary ClubThe Cathedral of All SoulsFirst Baptist Church of AshevilleFirst Presbyterian ChurchGirl Scout Troop 1781Jubilee CommunityMicah InstituteNew Horizon EPC Mission GroupRainbow Community SchoolRotary Club of Asheville BreakfastSkyland United Methodist ChurchSt. Eugene ChurchTrinity Episcopal ChurchWarren Wilson CollegeWNC Association for Health Underwriters

Community PartnersAction for Children NCArtSpace Charter SchoolAsheville Buncombe Youth Soccer AssociationAsheville City SchoolsAsheville Youth MissionAvery’s Creek ElementaryBig Brothers Big SistersBlueprint NCBonner Scholar Program at Mars Hill University Buncombe County SchoolsCharlotte Street KidsCovenant with North Carolina’s ChildrenDepartment of Health and Human Services Emma ElementaryFEASTFrench Broad Rafting ExpeditionsHall Fletcher ElementaryHappy Body YogaInnovative SolutionsJewish Community CenterJohnston ElementaryJones ElementaryJust Economics

LEAF Schools & StreetsMANNA Food BankMars Hill UniversityNavitat Canopy AdventuresNC Center for NonprofitsNC Justice CenterOurVOICEPisgah Legal ServicesRSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)Searchlight ConsultingTogether NCTrips for KidsUNC-AshevilleWarren Wilson CollegeWestern Carolina UniversityWomen for WomenWomen’s Well Being and Development FundYMCA of WNCYWCA of Asheville

Board Of Directors:Chris Campbell (Attorney) Campbell & Shatley James Carter, UNC- AshevilleEsteve Coll-Larrosa, United Services Credit UnionChris Crawford (President) Asheville Savings BankKelvin Cyrus, Asheville City SchoolsGreg Dillingham, UNC-AshevilleLeah Ferguson (Vice-President, Advocacy)Community Transformation ProjectCarla Henry, First Citizens BankBill Jamieson (Past President) C Community VolunteerJon Miles, Searchlight ConsultingDeborah Pressley, Friday Staffing ServicesJen Ramming (Child Watch Co-Chair)OpenDoors of AshevilleSharon Steele (Secretary/ Treasurer)Mission Healthcare FoundationSusanne Swanger, Buncombe County SchoolsAnn Williams, Community Volunteer

Staff:Allison Jordan, Executive DirectorAdrienne Ammerman, Director of EngagementLisa Barlow, Success Coordinator Victor Barrett, Project POWER/ AmeriCorps Grant Compliance/ Fiscal ManagerGreg Borom, Director of AdvocacyNorma Brown, Latino Outreach CoordinatorJane Exner, Office ManagerJodi Ford, Outreach and Engagement CoordinatorAlixes McCombs, Parent Involvement CoordinatorBarbara Norton, Learning Center CoordinatorJetta Redmond, Parent Involvement CoordinatorSara Shuster, Success CoordinatorChrissy Sibley, Project POWER/ AmeriCorps Director

We are grateful for your gift. If you find any misspellings or omissions in our donor recognition, please accept our apology and bring it to our attention by calling 828-259-9717

Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County 2012-2013 Contributors

Children First’s mission is to empower children and their families to reach their full potential through advocacy, education and services. The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Our Corporate Sponsors

Other Corporate ContributorsCarolina Furniture Concepts

Pulliam Properties WalMart

Thank You for Your Support!