Three numbers, 2-1-1, can mean the world of difference for people facing any number of health or life challenges, and your donations to United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County are essential to keeping this resource available for people within a 16 county region in western North Carolina.

A student can be paired with a tutor or mentor and will often do better in school. But if that student is going home to a family in crisis, a family that might be hungry, or severely ill, or in an unsafe home, that support can only go so far. If we are to have a long term impact we have to serve whole families and communities. 

There’s a problem in our community. 17 percent of low wealth students don’t graduate from high school. This means they are: 

• 3 x more likely to live in poverty as adults
• 6 x more likely to be arrested and
• are more likely to have a shorter lifespan - nine years on average, 

All because they didn’t graduate high school. 

This impacts the student’s life long term. It impacts their families. And it impacts our whole community. 

Starting November 1, 2019 and running through the holidays until December 31, we're excited to partner with Barnes Noble booksellers at the Asheville Mall to host our annual Holiday Book Drive in support of middle school students in Buncombe County. It's such an easy way to help spread a little holiday cheer while sharing your favorite childhood book. The next time you're out doing your holiday shopping, stop by and pick up a book or two to share. The Barnes & Noble booksellers are also happy to help you find an age-appropriate read.