March 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.

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Local Community: 

• 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.

• https://firestorm.coop/ 

• Some events we’re excited about at Beacon:  

• Asheville Food & Beverage United Open Hours

•  (Every Friday 3/1-3/29 from 12-2pm & Wednesday 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 from 5-7pm)

• Talk to a local organizer about how to start building a union campaign in your workplace!

• Drop-In Community Notary Services 

• The first Wednesday of every month! 

• Wednesday, March 6 from 6-8pm

• Free, friendly, no judgement notary services for all documents such as advanced care directives, name change paperwork, and custody agreements. 

• 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.

• https://www.ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/12baskets

• 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. 

• https://avlpb.org

• 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 

Local Social and Political Action: 

• Don’t stop talking about Palestine! 

• https://mountainx.com/opinion/letter-city-council-should-pass-gaza-cease-fire-resolution/

• Demand Asheville City Council to Pass a Ceasefire Resolution!

  • https://www.change.org/p/urgent-demand-asheville-city-council-to-pass-a-ceasefire-resolution?original_footer_petition_id=3258426&algorithm=promoted&source_location=petition_footer&grid_position=17&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAPn4QQIAAAAAZcUg7k51aHQ4MzA5NDEyYg%3D%3D

• Asheville Racial Justice Coalition

• Commissions to extend the Community Reparations Commission (CRC) have been rejected as of January 2024. State officials not supporting the extension of the commission to create a workable plan, thus leaving the lactation in limbo. 

• https://www.rjcavl.org/reparations-commission-asks-for-more-time/ 

• Support Asheville reparations, sign the pledge and help hold the city and county accountable!

• https://www.rjcavl.org/reparations-are-due-to-Black-people/

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/

• Volunteer training nights are the second Thursday of the month from 6-8pm.

• Get more info here:  https://ashevilletoollibrary.org/volunteer/

• 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

• Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP)

• Their website lists many resources, including free testing and educational opportunities.

• https://wncap.org/ 

• Asheville Survival Program

• This organization oftentimes 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. 

• 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/ 

LGBTQ Resources: 

• Tranzmission Project

• Check out their resource page for trans and non-binary folks:

• https://tranzmission.org/resources/

• Sign up for updates and check out other programs on their website:

• https://tranzmission.org/

• Youth OUTright

• Sign up for their newsletter to get regular updates, complete with many queer-friendly events and resources!

• https://www.youthoutright.org/

• Sign up for their online queer-friendly youth programming (for your youths!)

• https://www.youthoutright.org/programs-1

• Check out their resources focused on youth safety and mental health, particularly during what could be a challenging school year.

• Youth Safety Plan: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFs1wCvrt8/pZzT4eAnitTf_v_70URjWA/view?mc_cid=8b997650be&mc_eid=5d69ba55b3#1

• School Support Plan: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFq5S8uLKc/qPV532C2j7oOEdI1JPNkjg/view?mc_cid=8b997650be&mc_eid=5d69ba55b3#1

• 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.

• https://www.youthoutright.org/donate

• Southern Queer Survivors Network

• Their website offers many queer-friendly resources and informational pages.

• https://www.sqsn.org/contact-us

• 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.

• https://www.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org/events/ 

State Action:

• Carolina Abortion Fund

• A nonprofit dedicated to making abortion financially accessible no matter healthcare status. 

• We are seeing increased attacks on reproductive healthcare after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, especially in the American South. 

• If you are located in North or South Carolina and need an abortion, the Caroline Abortion Fund may be able to help you pay: 

• https://www.carolinaabortionfund.org/ 

• If you believe in this mission and would like to donate, do so here: 

• https://www.carolinaabortionfund.org/donate 

• 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/

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