United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

08/30/2026

“Together, they showed me that Community Schools are ecosystems built on trust, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in every child's potential.”

As Asheville City and Buncombe County students begin a new school year, our commitment to Community Schools continues—not just for the first week of school, but all year long.

This summer, our work in Community Schools also became a learning experience for a young person of the next generation.

We welcomed Anvita Anaja, a Duke University student and Benjamin N. Duke Scholar, as our Community Schools intern through the Carolina Summer of Service. She spent the summer alongside our team, visiting schools, helping prepare for Community Nights, learning from Community School Coordinators, and seeing firsthand what it means to build a school community around the whole child.

Her reflection is a powerful reminder that investing in young people means more than creating opportunities for them—it means inviting them into the work of building stronger communities.

Read Anvita’s full story:

Creating opportunities for young people is central to UWABC's mission—and that commitment extends beyond our programs and into our workplace.

08/28/2026

What does a year of Community Schools look like in numbers?

A lot of listening. A lot of connection. And a lot of impact.

Across our 9 Community Schools last year:

• 1,188 students accessed school-based health services
• 79% of students attended 90% or more of school days
• Students rated their confidence in their ability to be successful in school 4.4 out of 5.0
• 1,145 students and family members attended Community Nights at Enka Intermediate
• 780 students participated in partnership-based programming at Asheville Middle School
• Hall Fletcher Elementary recorded 15,446 Resource Room usages by students, families, and staff

And those numbers are just a snapshot.

Behind every figure are students finding support, families connecting to resources, educators building relationships, and community partners showing up where they are needed most.

Our Community Schools team spent the summer digging into a full year of data—not just to celebrate what happened, but to understand what we can learn from it and how we can make the work even stronger this year.

We pulled together some of those stories and numbers in our latest blog.
Take a look at the data behind a year of Community Schools →https://www.unitedwayabc.org/news/data-stories-year-community-schools?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

As we enter the 2026–27 school year, we want to take a moment to look back at what happened inside our Community Schools last year—and, perhaps more importantly, what the data tells us about the work.

08/24/2026

All across Asheville and Buncombe County, students are walking through the doors for a new school year—and our Community Schools Team couldn’t be more excited to welcome them back. ❤️

But for our team, the work of a new school year doesn’t begin on the first day. Behind the scenes, we’ve been preparing alongside our Community Schools principals, administrators, and coordinators to make sure we’re aligned, connected, and ready to live out the Community Schools pillars and promises.

Nearly two weeks ago, we gathered for our annual Community Schools Retreat, bringing our leaders and coordinators together to reflect, plan, and prepare for the year ahead.
Check it out: https://www.unitedwayabc.org/leading-community-schools-together

Now, it’s time to get to work.

Happy first day of school! We can’t wait to support our teachers, students, families, and school communities throughout the 2026–27 school year.

And one more thing… keep an eye out. Community Nights are coming to YOU. 👀

08/20/2026

MANNA FoodBank says it is facing the highest level of need in its more than four decades of serving western North Carolina.

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

2,770 backpacks. 278 volunteers.

And just like that, our 2026 School Supply Drive is a wrap! 💙

Thanks to an incredible community of businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and volunteers, 2,770 students will walk into school this month prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

But the impact goes beyond the backpack. By providing supplies at scale, we helped local families save an estimated $275,000—money that can instead go toward groceries, rent, utilities, childcare, and other essentials.

We couldn’t make this happen without our incredible partners, including Aeroflow Health, our presenting sponsor and Business United partner, who has supported the drive for four consecutive years, and First Citizens Bank, who sponsored our Volunteer Lounge to keep our volunteers fueled and supported.

To every person who donated, packed a backpack, sponsored the drive, volunteered, or helped spread the word: thank you for showing up for our students and their families.

Here’s to 2,770 students starting the school year with the tools—and the confidence—to succeed! 🎒

08/13/2026

The 2026 United for Youth Block Party gave us SO many moments we don’t want to forget! From the stage to behind the scenes, from dancing in the crowd to the people working hard to make the night happen, there were so many moments worth celebrating.

And we’re not done yet! We’ll keep sharing some of our favorite behind-the-scenes moments, performances, community connections, and shoutouts to the incredible people who made it all possible.

But if you want to relive the whole night, you don’t have to wait. Our full 2026 United for Youth Block Party gallery is live!

Thank you to every volunteer, performer, partner, vendor, community organization, staff member, and neighbor who helped make our theme, Stronger Together: Bring on the Joy, a reality.

We brought the joy. You made it happen. 💛
📸 Check out the full gallery: https://www.unitedwayabc.org/strongertogether-2026blockparty

  Joy is moving—literally. It makes us want to get up and dance, sing, play, or hug the people we love. But joy’s movement takes other forms, too. It helps us connect, share our values, learn from one another, and work together toward a more united community.That’s why this year’s United fo...

08/10/2026

Last Friday, the United for Youth annual Block Party rung and we answered!!

Although the day got cut short by lightning in the area, we still made the most of the times we had. It’s one of our favorite community events of the year.

🎶The youth performers blew us out of the water. The free food trucks kept our bellies, full, and all the vendors and games they brought made our hearts happy. 💚😁

We can’t wait to share more photos and moments with you! Stay tuned 📸

08/07/2026

Unfortunately, due to lighting strikes in the area, the 2026 United for Youth Block Party has closed early.

Thank you to all the vendors,performers, non-profits, volunteers and community members who showed up to support our youth!

We made the absolute best of the day and can’t wait to share the amazing moments and performances with you all.

So much love ❤️
-UWABC team

08/06/2026

🌦️ A little rain could never stop our joy.

THIS Friday, we're coming together to celebrate our community at the 2026 United for Youth Block Party—and we're doing it rain or shine!

We'll fill Pack Square Park with incredible local DJs, live musicians, marching bands, youth performances, community organizations, games, and so much more. And yes, the food trucks are FREE while supplies last!

Rain doesn't stop a community that's committed to showing up for one another. It only gives us another reason to dance a little harder.
📅 THIS FRIDAY, August 7
⏰ 5–8 PM
📍 Pack Square Park
🎟️ Free for everyone

We'll see you there—rain or shine! ☀️🌧️💜