February Action Sheet
Spring is right around the corner, but the cold isn’t gone yet. Feel the warmth of community by getting involved with the actions below!
Know of any groups or actions that should be on this list? Let us know! We can always update the live action sheet available on our website.
Actions and Updates
Local
12 Baskets Cafe/ Asheville Poverty Initiative
The 12 Baskets Cafe offers coffee, to-go meals, and pantry items on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11-1 and sit-down meals Mondays and Thursdays from 11-1.
Open orientation for volunteers takes place every Wednesday from 10 to 11. One-on-one intros also available.
Earth Guardians
They are looking to start a local chapter! Know any youth who may be interested in joining the crew? Contact kelbelove@gmail.com for more information!
Learn more at https://www.earthguardians.org/
AVL Prison Books
Attend the “packaging party” every third Sunday of the month from 1-3pm as well as book donations. Check out their page for information about location and further opportunities to advocate for those in the prison system.
Asheville Racial Justice Coalition
Support Asheville reparations, sign the pledge and help hold the city and county accountable!
Asheville Tool Library
Volunteer training nights are the second Thursdays of the month from 6-8pm.
Get more info here: https://ashevilletoollibrary.org/volunteer/
Trees and Bees
Trees and Bees is a new demonstration project looking to restore biodiversity around our homes, to the great benefit of the pollinators and our eco-system in general - not to mention all the lovely flowers we get to enjoy!
They are looking for support and volunteers, if this sort of initiative interests you contact willib.bw@gmail.com
State:
State Legislature Strips Environmental Protections
State legislators overrode vetoes of HB600 and SB678, two regulatory reform bills that will gut protections of local waterways, ease regulations of livestock-waste disposal, and speed up the construction of the contentious Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Southern Equality Resources/Actions
Southern Equality has a great guide to legal resources from Trans folks specific to North Carolina (and other states as well!)
Check it out here: https://southernequality.org/legal-resources/north-carolina/
Take action against SB49 (the recently passed Don’t Say Gay etc. schools bill) and request a “Determination of Title IX Compliance”
A federal law called Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in any school that receives federal funds.
Read more here: https://southernequality.org/titleixdetermination/
Key Resources
Asheville Tool Library
The Asheville Tool Library is a volunteer-powered, membership-based nonprofit that shares its tools and resources and offers educational opportunities to the Community of Western North Carolina.
Check out their inventory here: https://ashevilletoollibrary.org/tool-inventory/
WNC Repair Cafe
Sometimes hosted at the Tool Library, the WNC Repair Cafe gives folks an opportunity to bring in broken household objects for repair by volunteers.
For more information check out https://wncrepaircafe.blogspot.com/p/events.html
Tranzmission Project
Check out their resource page for trans and non-binary folks:
Sign up for updates and check out other programs on their website:
Youth OUTright
Sign up for their newsletter to get regular updates, complete with many queer-friendly events and resources!
Sign up for their online queer-friendly youth programming (for your youths!)
Check out their resources focused on youth safety and mental health, particularly during what could be a challenging school year.
Support the Direct Youth Payment Program
This program provides immediate emergency funds for queer youth, prioritizing folks who are currently experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, are in danger of losing basic necessities, or suffering other major economic challenges. Donate to YouthOUTright to support this fund.
Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP)
Their website lists many resources, including free testing and educational opportunities.
Asheville Survival Program
Even without a facebook account, by clicking this link you can have access to the information located on their page: https://www.facebook.com/avlsurvival/
This organization often times will have listed opportunities for FREE fresh vegetables that will be available to locals as well as information on how to involve yourself in advocacy for the homeless community of Asheville.
Firestorm Book Coop
Firestorm is an excellent community hub and bookstore offering regular in-person and virtual events pertaining to community, social justice, and environmental justice. Check out their website to learn more and see their many upcoming events, updated regularly.
Southern Queer Survivors Network
Their website offers many queer-friendly resources and informational pages.
SQSN is hosted by the LGBTQ Center of Durham. Check out their events page, where you will find both in person and virtual events hosted by the center.
Health Resources
Buncombe County
Food
Loving Food resources Inc- Phone:(828) 255-9282
Manna Food Bank- Phone: 828-299-3663
Buncombe Health Department offers WIC and NFP (Nurse Family Partnership for pregnant women)
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries- Hot meals served daily and food boxes - - 828-254-0471
ABCCM-Crisis Ministry partners with loaves and fishes- food boxes and hot food - 828 259 5300
Clothing and hygiene needs
ABCCM-Crisis ministry- 828 259 5300
Housing
Program Ahope- Phone:(828) 252-8883
Homeward Bound- Phone 828 2581695
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries- - 828-254-0471
ABCCM-RECOVERY LIVING MINISTRY-(for men)-828-259-5314
ABCCM- TRANSFORMATION VILLAGE-(For women, mothers with children and veterans)- (828) 259-5365
Pharmacy
NC Med assist- (must NC resident, uninsured, income at or below 300 FPL)
ABCCM-MEDICAL MINISTRY- ABCCM 356 pharmacy- (828) 259-5306
HealthCare
Arms Around ASD- (828) 424-7604
Western North Carolina Community Health Service (WNCCHS)- (telehealth, primary health, women’s health, dental, behavioral, HIV, opioid treatment program (project wellness), pharmacy, trans health and free legal assistance- Has co pay and sliding scale also accepts insurance s Medicare and Medicaid) works with Buncombe County residents- 828 285 0622.
Buncombe County Health Department- (STI clinic, TB testing, Immunization, Breast and cervical cancer control and Reproductive health) Mon-Fri: 8am- 5pm- 828-250-5000
Buncombe County mobile services- Provide healthcare for underserved, low income rural communities- complete form online and they will contact you- schedule available online https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/health/mobile-team.aspx
ABCCM-MEDICAL MINISTRY- Medical and Dental care for low income communities of Buncombe county- (828) 259-5339
Transportation
ADA Paratransit service (for ppl who qualify under the disability act)- 828 250 6750 ext 5
Mental health/ trauma recovery
SeekHealing – 828 222 5029
All Souls Counseling Center- 828 259 3779
Drugs & Alcohol abuse
Western Carolina Rescue ministries- Abbas’s house- provide mother and baby 12month residence and equip them with the tools they need to maintain a substance abuse free life- 828-254-0471
Western Carolina rescue ministries- Men’s Recovery Program -A free, 12-month residential drug and alcohol- - 828-254-0471
Job training
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries- - 828-254-0471
Social Services Centers
ABCCM - works with veterans and detention center (supported by churches and volunteers)– 828 259 5300.
Children First (school based)– 828-252-4810
Buncombe County case management- 828 250 6401
United way of Asheville and Buncombe County (bringing together the necessary people and resources needed to tackle crucial community issues and connect people to the support they need)- phone: 828-255-0696.
Yancey County
Food
Mana food bank- delivers, serves hot food every day.
Yancey county healthcare- WIC program for eligible women and children
Healthcare
Gender Affirming Care - ask to establish care with Linda Myers-Reed PA-C at the Celo Health Center, 828-675-4116
For discretion, can also ask for Linda to return a call about a private “medical question”
Yancey county health department- primary care, acute care, STI screening, immunization, drug screening, childcare and lab services- 828 682 6118
Trauma recovery/ Mental Health
SeekHealing – 828 222 5029
All Souls Counseling Center- 828 259 3779
Beacon is an all-volunteer, grass-roots funded organization. Your support helps us sustain and expand our many services. Donate what you can today!
