For 2008 Student Scholarship Application goto "Programs" then "Student Scholarships"

The Asheville City Schools Foundation (ACSF) has been advocating for our community's children since 1988. The Foundation is an independent non-profit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and is completely separate from the Asheville City School system. Our mission is to promote educational success for all ACS students by engaging and mobilizing the community to support enriching and innovative educational activities.

We believe that community support for adequate resources is essential to the success of public education! Over the past 19 years, we have discovered that providing funds to teachers for classroom projects is an excellent way to promote student achievement. ACSF has awarded $500,368 in grants since 1993.

Develop and implement marketing, fundraising and volunteer recruitment plans for the Partners Unlimited, Inc. program at the Reid Center in Asheville, increasing the ability of the program to assist low-income youth.

Partners Unlimited, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works to support youth who are facing academic, delinquency and personal growth challenges. It provides mentors and support for youngsters and their families, and is located in the WC Reid Center.

Partners Unlimited, Inc. provides four programs:

Making Choices-guided growth for youth Strong Families-family supprot and parent education New Day Center-Secondary Education via NC Standard Course of Study Computer Recyclying-bridging the digital divide for families in poverty

This is a one-year position that begins on February 4, 2008. AmeriCorpsVISTA members are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, but are on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. For their commitment to reducing poverty, they receive a living stipend of $750 net a month, with a $4,725 education award OR a $1,200 cash stipend paid at the end of a year of satisfactory service. They are provided with health insurance coverage, training and relocation assistance.

Recommended skills and qualifications include: excellent verbal and written communication skills; college degree in business, marketing, or applicable field desired; interested and comfortable in working with minority youth and within low-wealth communities; some prior experience coordinating a project; computer literate.

The Partners Unlimited Program Coordinator VISTA will work under the supervision of the Executive Director of Partners Unlimited, Mr. Anderson Davis. To apply, visit the AmeriCorpsVISTA website at www.americorps.org or call 281-2800 for more information.

Application deadline: November 26, 2007

We are currently recruiting for a full-time AmeriCorpsVISTA position supporting the West Riverside Operation Weed & Seed.. The office is located in Pisgah View Apartments in West Asheville.

The Weed & Seed Youth Coordinator will work to assist in all outreach events and materials, develop a Weed & Seed Youth Council and organize activities for youngsters in the targeted area. They will also develop a sustainability plan for the youth council and assist in developing youth opportunities at a proposed Community Technology Center.  They will collaborate with local organizations concerning gang prevention and intervention.

This is a one-year position that begins on February 4, 2008. AmeriCorpsVISTA members are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, but are on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. For their commitment to reducing poverty, they receive a living stipend of $750 net a month, with a $4,725 education award OR a $1,200 cash stipend paid at the end of a year of satisfactory service. They are provided with health insurance coverage, training and relocation assistance.

Tasks and activities include: Marketing--assist in all outreach events (create flyers, display boards, brochures, etc.); Design and distribute a Weed & Seed Newsletter; organize bulletin boards in Safe Haven sites; design program evaluation procedures by creating surveys and working with local universities; develop a Weed & Seed Youth Council to foster leadership skills, community pride and feelings of empowerment; collaborate with local organizations concerning gang prevention/intervention and other youth related issues.

Recommended skills and qualifications include: excellent verbal and written communication skills; college degree in marketing, mass communications, English, business or applicable field desired; interested and comfortable in working with people from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious heritages along with differing sexual orientations; prior experience coordinating events and projects; computer savvy in Word and Excel and willing to learn Donor Perfect Software system.

Program Management: The West Riverside Operation Weed & Seed VISTA will work under the leadership of Dawa Hitch, Coordinator.

To apply, visit the AmeriCorpsVISTA website at www.americorps.org or call 258-2813 for more information. Application deadline: November 26, 2007.

Develop and implement marketing, and fundraising plans for the Center for Diversity Education program in Asheville, increasing the ability of the program to assist low-income youth.

The Center for Diversity Education works to increase the ways diversity is covered in the daily life of the classroom in grades K-16 throughout western North Carolina. Each year staff and volunteers at the exhibit work directly with over 17,000 students, teachers, and citizens and indirectly with another 10,000 through traveling exhibits.

This is a one-year position that begins on February 4, 2008. AmeriCorpsVISTA members are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, but are on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. For their commitment to reducing poverty, they receive a living stipend of $750 net a month, with a $4,725 education award OR a $1,200 cash stipend paid at the end of a year of satisfactory service. They are provided with health insurance coverage, training and relocation assistance.

Tasks and activities include: audience development for exhibits in the Western North Carolina region, including outreach to schools, businesses, post secondary schools and other non-profits as well as like minded individuals; connecting with potential presentation venues for the exhibits across the region including museums, corporations, schools, houses of worship and more; assistance with grant writing; implementing marketing strategies in print and digital images along with partnerships with community based organizations such as Rotary or Sister Cities; coordinating a spring signature event that is mission driven. This is likely to be a “walk about” through historic neighborhoods.

Recommended skills and qualifications: excellent verbal and written communication skills; college degree in marketing, mass communications, English, business or applicable field desired; interested and comfortable in working with people from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious heritages along with differing sexual orientations; prior experience coordinating events and projects; computer savvy in Word and Excel and willing to learn Donor Perfect Software system.

Program Management: The Center for Diversity Education Marketing and Development person will work under the direction of Deborah Miles, the Executive Director of the Center for Diversity Education.

To apply, visit the AmeriCorpsVISTA website at www.americorps.org or call 232-5034 for more information. Application deadline: November 26, 2007.