Resources
Our VOICE “serves all individuals in Buncombe County affected by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education.”
The Mediation Center serves Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Transylvania and offers conflict resolution services with the goal of creating a safer and more peaceful community for everyone. They offer a variety of trainings and workshops to build skills in conflict resolution.
Learning for Justice provides classroom materials to deal with a variety of issues for elementary and secondary education, including bullying. However, many of the materials are suitable for everyone, not just students.
Key Allies
Mountain Child Advocacy Center identifies “and responds to child abuse and neglect in Buncombe County; by educating, advocating and empowering the public to protect children and reduce trauma through a coordinated community effort.”
Get involved: Contact director Geoff Sidoli to learn about advocacy efforts/opportunities at (828) 213-9824.
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MOMS DEMAND ACTION for Gun Sense in America works to help pass sensible gun legislation. Some goals are closing loopholes in background checks; promoting gun safety to protect children; electing candidates who stand up for gun sense; and keeping aware of current bills in Congress, action to take, and who to contact. Two websites to be aware of are Everytown for Gun Safety and Be Smart. People can also get information at this Facebook page.
Get involved: This group has a national website that allows you to connect with local efforts. Enter all the fields and hit the Join Now button to get connected. One can also get involved by emailing moms.wnc@gmail.com or by texting 644-33 and message “join” to get regular information on ways to help and stay informed.
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Helpmate “works with our community to eliminate abuse and fear by providing safety, shelter, and support for victims/survivors of intimate partner domestic violence. We believe that in order to serve, we must model a violence-free community that is founded in respect and equality. We believe that we are all to be valued, and have the right to speak our truths, be heard, be honored, and achieve our full potential. By providing safety, shelter, counseling, and advocacy, we empower each individual to create a life that is free of violence; by providing education, we empower our community to create a world that is free of violence.”
Get involved: For volunteer and survivor engagement opportunities, contact Ilze Zageris, Coordinator for Outreach and Volunteer Programming, at izageris@helpmateonline.org.
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Pisgah Legal Services represents and advises survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse to obtain protective orders, custody, and access to essential property.
Get involved: Contact Lori Nierzwick at Lori@pisgahlegal.org or call (828) 818-5474.
WNC Social Justice Advocacy Guide 