Grassroots Partners of the Center for Participatory Change
CPC exists to support the work of grassroots groups and organizations throughout Western North Carolina. The majority of our work centers around community-based groups whose work promotes racial and economic justice, but through our Community Support Project, we also support a wide range of other grassroots organizations.
Economic Justice
CPC's economic justice work includes grassroots groups and organizations working together to create new income sources from traditional cultural and natural resources. We call this cooperative income development collective entrepreneurship. Other economic justice work includes support for workers' rights groups and organizations and efforts to create more just economic policies.
Racial Justice
CPC's racial justice work has three main strategies. The first is supporting the development of power and leadership in communities of color by assisting in the development of African American, Latino, and Cherokee grassroots organizations. We also work to engage European American grassroots leaders and groups in the critical struggle for racial justice. Finally, a key part of our network building is creating opportunities for people to come together across racial and cultural lines at workshops, conferences and grassroots gatherings.
Community Support Project
CPC also supports a wide range of other community-based organizations in Western North Carolina, including domestic violence organizations, family resource centers, disability rights organizations and justice-focused nonprofits. We believe that the challenge of building a just and democratic society can only be met through the work of a powerful, healthy grassroots sector, made up of a large number of community organizations working on a wide range of issues and opportunities.
Economic Justice Appalachian Heritage Crafters (AHC), Cherokee County.
AHC was formed in February 2000 by women who were laid off during a 1999 Levi Strauss plant closing. Since those early days, AHC has flourished with around 60 active members who sell their pottery, woodworking, jewelry, metalwork, and other crafts at the AHC retail store outside of Murphy, NC. In addition to craft sales, the outreach and education committee teaches crafting skills to youth in area schools, churches, and community centers (for example, teaching a group of teen mothers at the local high school how to make baskets and multi-colored bird houses from gourds). Since it opened in 2001, AHC's all-volunteer, cooperatively run crafts store has earned well over $100,000 in sales for local craftspeople. With over 80% of total sales going directly in member's pockets, AHC is making a real difference in both the local economy and in people's everyday lives.Smoky Mountain Native Plants Association, Graham County.
The Smoky Mountain Native Plants Association (SMNPA), a multi-county association based in Graham County, started meeting in the fall of 2000 with the goals of helping people earn extra income through growing and marketing of Appalachian native plants; preserving native plants for future generations; and providing education about Appalachian native plants species. SMNPA many accomplishments including: establishing the Graham County farmers market, developing local native plants gardens, conducting on-site native plant research, creating a micro-loan program to assist SMNPA members with the cost of equipment and seeds, hosting numerous educational events and speakers, and supporting youth from Robbinsville High school as they learn about Appalachian native plants, heritage and culture. Their most highly regarded accomplishment is the development of a value added product combining dried ramps and cornmeal. The product has been a big seller at area ramp festivals and was a featured product at the Smithsonian Institute Folkways Festival in Washington DC. Keep an eye for Rampmeal on your local food store shelf.Hands Together / Manos Unidas, Burke County.
Hands Together is a group of immigrant women (mostly Mexican, Central American, and South American) in Morganton. The group is currently working together make and sell handmade notecards. This is the only international group of crafters in Western NC. CPC has supported Manos Unidas as they have developed their products, applied for grants, and developed their group.Beautiful Day Farmers Market, Swain County
The mission of the Beautiful Day Farmers and Artists Market is to promote and develop economic opportunities and entrepreneurship for the residents of Swain County and the surrounding area. The Market was created in 2003 by a grassroots community group including artists, farmers, crafters, bakers and musicians with a vision of establishing a weekly Saturday morning market cooperative to benefit Swain County and the surrounding areas. This venue will provide opportunity for economic development for participating vendors while fostering community participation and cultural enrichment.
The Western North Carolina Workers' Center, Burke County and all of Western NC.
The Western NC Workers Center focuses on the rights of low-wage immigrant workers. The mission of the Workers Center is to provide educational, support, referral, and advocacy services and programs to workers in order to improve workplace conditions and practices in Western NC. In 2003, the Workers Center was a host for the Marion and Morganton stops of the national Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, an event focusing on immigrant rights and reforming the injustices of current immigration policy.
Racial Justice COLA (Coalición del Organazaciones Latino Americanas), Western North Carolina.
COLA is a coalition of Latino-led grassroots organizations from across Western North Carolina. COLA works to unite and represent organizations that support the Latino community in WNC, and to share information, educate and create solutions to common problems. CPC facilitated the formation of COLA through hosting an 'Encuentro' or gathering of Latino organizations in October of 2001, at which community leaders recognized the need for such a coalition and established its planning committee. CPC is working intensively with COLA to develop the coalition as an organization, plan more Encuentros, and secure future staffing and funding.One Dozen Who Care, far western counties of North Carolina.
One Dozen Who Care is the first 501(c)3 community development organization in far western North Carolina to be organized and incorporated by Black women. ODWC is a rural Community Development Corporation whose primary goal is to bring together minorities, especially African Americans, to develop the economy in far western North Carolina. ODWC seeks to bring about positive community development through programs that include the annual Multicultural Women's Development Conference, youth mentoring, and cultural projects. Visit One Dozen online at www.odwc.org.Centro Comunitario Hispano Americano (CCHA), Transylvania County.
CCHA's mission is enhance the well-being and integration of the Hispanic community in Transylvania County by promoting education, enhancing multicultural understanding, advocating for justice, developing Hispanic leadership and encouraging civic participation. CCHA works to build Latino leadership in Transylvania County, and acts as a resource center where Latinos receive help accessing information and services. CPC has facilitated work and fundraising planning with CCHA. Currently CPC is supporting CCHA as they develop their board of directors and expand their programming.Neighbors in Ministry, Transylvania County.
Neighbors in Ministry (NIM) is multiracial group of dedicated community leaders in Brevard, NC who have a long history of fighting for racial justice by organizing church partnerships, antiracism trainings, and programs for children and parents. NIM's flagship 'Rise and Shine' after school program serves children in grades K-5, and its Summer Freedom School provides youth with a summer program centered on teaching justice and civil rights. Neighbors in Ministry's antiracism workshops, based on the Damascus Road training model of the Mennonite church, are designed to 'chop at institutional racism.' The half day workshops explore both racial privilege and discrimination in American systems and institutions--and how such a system is spiritually and morally destructive for all people, regardless of their race.Latino Advocacy Coalition (LAC), Henderson County.
LAC is a Hendersonville based organization of grassroots and professional leaders who have worked together to establish a community center called, 'El Centro Comunitario'. Through programs at El Centro, LAC builds Hispanic/Latino leadership, helps community members overcome barriers to services, offers educational workshops and cultural events, and provides a venue for members and community guests to share information and resources. CPC has facilitated a strategic planning retreat, board retreat and has provided ongoing organizational development support for LAC's staff and Board of Directors.Pigeon Community Development Club, Haywood County.
PCDC is an African American-led organization that operates the Pigeon Community Development Center. The Center is located in an historic African American school, which was closed during desegregation and used as an instructional materials center. Members of the community struggled for more than two years to regain control of the building, which they finally accomplished on January 21, 2002. Now the facility includes a collegiate size outdoor basketball court, a computer lab, a lending library, and space for community events and meetings. PCDC programs include a youth summer program, computer classes, community dinners and holiday festivals. Many of CPC's regional events and meetings are held at PCDC's community center.Christians for a United Community, Buncombe County.
Christians for a United Community is an inter-denominational, multi-ethnic organization of churches, lay people and clergy who share a common commitment to a Christian vision of justice, peace, reconciliation and non-violent social change. The organization was developed through a series of meals and small group discussions about breaking down the barriers, like racism and poverty, that divide the greater Asheville community. Project teams on Church Unity, Advocacy and Justice, and Reclaiming Our Youth are doing research and developing interventions to address these deep social and economic concerns.Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Qualla Boundary.
CPC worked with the Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPF) to convene a meeting of community leaders to discuss the needs and future of community clubs on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. A CPC report entitled Strengthening Community Clubs on the Qualla Boundary and Their Relationship with the Cherokee Preservation Foundation can be found on Cherokee Preservation Foundation's website (www.cherokeepreservationfdn.org). In addition, CPC continues to provide hands-on support to the Foundation's community development staff and is available to assist individual community clubs with issues related to organizational development.CASA, Center for Action and Social Assistance, Burke County.
CASA is a Latino resource center that aims to promote the independence and educational and social well-being of Burke County's Latino communities. CASA provides services related to education, information and referral, translation, health education, immigration and workers' rights, and cultural activities. CASA has joined several other organizations in forming the Burke County Multicultural Coalition, a group working across racial and ethnic lines for community improvement. CPC has supported CASA's organizational development.Centro Latino of Caldwell County.
Centro Latino provides information and referral services, tutoring and English as a Second Language classes, and educational workshops (e.g., domestic violence, health education, immigrant rights) in Caldwell County. CPC has supported El Centro with board development, fundraising planning, and general organizational development.Centro Latino of Catawba County.
Centro Latino in Hickory focuses on health education, immigration, and education. This well-established Latino center has provided many services in these four areas to Hickory's large and growing Latino communities. CPC has supported El Centro Latino through board development, strategic planning, fundraising planning, and general organizational development.MOSAIC Multicultural Center, Haywood County.
MOSAIC's mission is to foster the integration of immigrants into Haywood County by providing information, assistance, and advocacy. MOSAIC envisions Haywood County as a place where people maintain personal heritage and individuality. The volunteer-run organization includes Haywood County natives, people from other regions of the U.S., and people from Mexico, Central America, South America, and Asia. Programs include cultural and educational events, interpretation and translation, information and referral services, and other efforts to celebrate the many diverse cultures that are present in Haywood County. In the spring of 2004, MOSAIC was awarded a grant from the Self Development Fund.Latino Business Association, Henderson County.
Latino business owners in Henderson County have developed an association with the mission "to establish and maintain a network of Latino business owners who work together to identify training, marketing and financial resources that will benefit the operation, management and growth of small Latino businesses." Their projects include business education sessions, on topics like business taxes and insurance, and plan additional monthly meetings to support small businesses with education and training. A web site will provide information about Latino business in the area and organizations that support the Latino community in WNC.Centro de Enlace, Yancey County.
The Centro de Enlace (Center of Connections) serves as an immigrant resource center and cultural center for Yancey County. Having operated for three years under the umbrella of the local Children's Services organization, Centro de Enlace has become an independent nonprofit organization, with a director and community lay educators called promotoras. Programs include information and referral services, translation and interpretation, assistance for immigrants, cultural and educational programs, and community organizing and leadership development.International Link, Buncombe County.
Asheville-based resource and referral center for all immigrants, primarily from Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. International Link provides language classes, referral and information services, youth tutoring and ESL classes, and other resources for the immigrant population.
Community Support Project Emma Family Resource Center, Buncombe County.
The EFRC provides family-centered services to residents of the Emma community in Buncombe County. An advisory council provides an opportunity for community members to shape the Center's programs and take leadership in new community initiatives. Members of the Advisory Council also assist in fundraising, and volunteer for at least one committee or program. Major programs include Emma Bucks, a skills exchange program where residents contribute their time and skills-for instance, two hours of child care-to earn credits which can be exchanged for services provided by other community members, like mowing the lawn or getting a ride to the store. The Advisory Council has also initiated a committee called A Safer Walk for Emma, advocating with city and state officials for the construction of sidewalks along the community's narrow, busy roads.ACCESS Independent Living, Buncombe County
ACCESS provides advocacy, peer support, and resources and referrals for people with disabilities. Their projects include surveying restaurants, hotels and other public spaces to evaluate accessibility and work with owners on improving access and outreach to customers who may have disabilities. CPC has provided strategic planning facilitation, board training and assistance with fundraising planning. Visit ACCESS online at www.access-wnc.com.Cherokee Center for Family Services.
Provides family services for Native and non-Native people on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. CPC staff organized and facilitated a strategic planning process involving Board, staff and stakeholders.REACH of Cherokee County.
REACH provides services for battered women and rape victims; they run a women's shelter, provide crisis counseling and information and referral, and have recently began working on women's economic empowerment (e.g., job training). CPC has assisted with grantwriting, Board and staff training, and organizational planning.REACH of Clay County.
In 2004, the satellite office of REACH in Hayesville grew to the point where it became an independent nonprofit organization. CPC staff provided assistance with strategic planning, training, board formation, and the logistics of incorporating and fundraising for an independent nonprofit.Family Resources of Cherokee County.
The FRCC provides family-centered services to parents, children and elders in Cherokee County. CPC continues to work with Lisa Twiggs, Director of FRCC and other FRCC staff and board members on issues related to strengthening organizational capacity, including: board development, strategic planning, and on-going support.Copyright © 2000 Center for Participatory Change
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