
Asheville Poverty Initiative
Deep discussion of Asheville Poverty Initiative's community based model for addressing poverty and homelessness, led by Ben Williamson with in-person presentation, audience Q&A, and hybrid Zoom access for community members and service providers.
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One mile 90 minute walk led by neighbors with lived experience of poverty, mapping systemic barriers, service gaps, and nearby resources through first person stories and site stops for practical resource navigation.

One mile 90 minute walk led by neighbors with lived experience of poverty, mapping systemic barriers, service gaps, and nearby resources through first person stories and site stops for practical resource navigation.
One mile 90 minute walk led by neighbors with lived experience of poverty, mapping systemic barriers, service gaps, and nearby resources through first person stories and site stops for practical resource navigation.

Documentary photos and first person testimony illuminate systemic barriers and community resilience in poverty and houselessness. Attendees can take an educational walk, view film exhibits, hear lived experience panelists, and sample snacks.

Documentary photos and first person testimony illuminate systemic barriers and community resilience in poverty and houselessness. Attendees can take an educational walk, view film exhibits, hear lived experience panelists, and sample snacks.
Documentary photos and first person testimony illuminate systemic barriers and community resilience in poverty and houselessness. Attendees can take an educational walk, view film exhibits, hear lived experience panelists, and sample snacks.
Facilitated civic dialogue exploring equitable, sustainable community visions and practical next steps for local action. Free ticket reserves your spot for a participatory conversation hosted by Meaningful Conversations Asheville.
Facilitated civic dialogue exploring equitable, sustainable community visions and practical next steps for local action. Free ticket reserves your spot for a participatory conversation hosted by Meaningful Conversations Asheville.
Facilitated civic dialogue exploring equitable, sustainable community visions and practical next steps for local action. Free ticket reserves your spot for a participatory conversation hosted by Meaningful Conversations Asheville.

Hybrid policy roundtable convening Asheville business leaders, municipal officials, and economic experts to assess post-crisis recovery strategies, share data driven recommendations, and solicit community input through moderated discussion and Q&A; hosted by AVL Today.

Hybrid policy roundtable convening Asheville business leaders, municipal officials, and economic experts to assess post-crisis recovery strategies, share data driven recommendations, and solicit community input through moderated discussion and Q&A; hosted by AVL Today.
Hybrid policy roundtable convening Asheville business leaders, municipal officials, and economic experts to assess post-crisis recovery strategies, share data driven recommendations, and solicit community input through moderated discussion and Q&A; hosted by AVL Today.

Paulo Freire–inspired TEDx-style talks and short presentations exploring public education as the foundation of democracy, with educators, students, and community leaders debating reform, pedagogy, and civic stewardship at A-B Tech.

Paulo Freire–inspired TEDx-style talks and short presentations exploring public education as the foundation of democracy, with educators, students, and community leaders debating reform, pedagogy, and civic stewardship at A-B Tech.
Paulo Freire–inspired TEDx-style talks and short presentations exploring public education as the foundation of democracy, with educators, students, and community leaders debating reform, pedagogy, and civic stewardship at A-B Tech.
Regional resilience leaders and community partners convene for collaborative capacity-building sessions focused on emergency preparedness, mutual aid coordination, and network-building best practices to strengthen local response systems.
Regional resilience leaders and community partners convene for collaborative capacity-building sessions focused on emergency preparedness, mutual aid coordination, and network-building best practices to strengthen local response systems.
Regional resilience leaders and community partners convene for collaborative capacity-building sessions focused on emergency preparedness, mutual aid coordination, and network-building best practices to strengthen local response systems.
Facilitated community conversation exploring meaning making amid hardship, combining reflective exercises, personal storytelling, and practical coping strategies to foster resilience and connection at a neighborhood community center.
Facilitated community conversation exploring meaning making amid hardship, combining reflective exercises, personal storytelling, and practical coping strategies to foster resilience and connection at a neighborhood community center.
Facilitated community conversation exploring meaning making amid hardship, combining reflective exercises, personal storytelling, and practical coping strategies to foster resilience and connection at a neighborhood community center.

Participants submit and vote on personal philosophical or spiritual questions, then the asker opens the discussion with context and reflections in a calm, nonjudgmental roundtable encouraging curious communal inquiry.

Participants submit and vote on personal philosophical or spiritual questions, then the asker opens the discussion with context and reflections in a calm, nonjudgmental roundtable encouraging curious communal inquiry.
Participants submit and vote on personal philosophical or spiritual questions, then the asker opens the discussion with context and reflections in a calm, nonjudgmental roundtable encouraging curious communal inquiry.
Inclusive, intergenerational facilitated dialogue exploring roots of unity and racial healing through personal storytelling, guided small-group discussion, restorative practices, and collaborative action planning to strengthen neighborhood relationships and civic engagement.
Inclusive, intergenerational facilitated dialogue exploring roots of unity and racial healing through personal storytelling, guided small-group discussion, restorative practices, and collaborative action planning to strengthen neighborhood relationships and civic engagement.
Inclusive, intergenerational facilitated dialogue exploring roots of unity and racial healing through personal storytelling, guided small-group discussion, restorative practices, and collaborative action planning to strengthen neighborhood relationships and civic engagement.

Virtual committee meeting focused on equity and community engagement, hosted by the City of Asheville; attendees can view agendas and join via the committee web page for participation and public comment.

Virtual committee meeting focused on equity and community engagement, hosted by the City of Asheville; attendees can view agendas and join via the committee web page for participation and public comment.
Virtual committee meeting focused on equity and community engagement, hosted by the City of Asheville; attendees can view agendas and join via the committee web page for participation and public comment.

Monthly neighborhood meeting focusing on local civic issues, agenda driven updates from city staff, and facilitated public comment for resident questions, project updates, and community planning.

Monthly neighborhood meeting focusing on local civic issues, agenda driven updates from city staff, and facilitated public comment for resident questions, project updates, and community planning.
Monthly neighborhood meeting focusing on local civic issues, agenda driven updates from city staff, and facilitated public comment for resident questions, project updates, and community planning.

Planning, Economic Development & Environment Committee meeting at Asheville, NC featuring virtual sessions with agenda and materials and discussions on planning, economic development, and environmental issues, organized by AVL Today. Target audience: civic stakeholders and those interested in local government and education.

Planning, Economic Development & Environment Committee meeting at Asheville, NC featuring virtual sessions with agenda and materials and discussions on planning, economic development, and environmental issues, organized by AVL Today. Target audience: civic stakeholders and those interested in local government and education.
Planning, Economic Development & Environment Committee meeting at Asheville, NC featuring virtual sessions with agenda and materials and discussions on planning, economic development, and environmental issues, organized by AVL Today. Target audience: civic stakeholders and those interested in local government and education.
Interactive re-entry role-play simulates barriers to community reintegration after incarceration, focusing on housing, employment, and service coordination through stakeholder exercises and policy scenarios; light lunch provided for participants.
Interactive re-entry role-play simulates barriers to community reintegration after incarceration, focusing on housing, employment, and service coordination through stakeholder exercises and policy scenarios; light lunch provided for participants.
Interactive re-entry role-play simulates barriers to community reintegration after incarceration, focusing on housing, employment, and service coordination through stakeholder exercises and policy scenarios; light lunch provided for participants.

Guided community circle of courageous conversations for racial healing and anti racism practice at a spiritual center, using facilitated listening, personal storytelling, and communal commitments to build trust across differences.

Guided community circle of courageous conversations for racial healing and anti racism practice at a spiritual center, using facilitated listening, personal storytelling, and communal commitments to build trust across differences.
Guided community circle of courageous conversations for racial healing and anti racism practice at a spiritual center, using facilitated listening, personal storytelling, and communal commitments to build trust across differences.
Practical strategies for greenway design that reduce flooding, strengthen neighborhood connections, and preserve natural corridors; local residents and experts share case studies, funding tips, and next step planning for Swannanoa area resilience.
Practical strategies for greenway design that reduce flooding, strengthen neighborhood connections, and preserve natural corridors; local residents and experts share case studies, funding tips, and next step planning for Swannanoa area resilience.
Practical strategies for greenway design that reduce flooding, strengthen neighborhood connections, and preserve natural corridors; local residents and experts share case studies, funding tips, and next step planning for Swannanoa area resilience.

Arts-integrated hybrid middle school program invites families to a virtual open house to meet school leaders, ask questions, and learn enrollment details for the inaugural Fall 2026 grades 6 to 8 class serving Buncombe and nearby counties.

Arts-integrated hybrid middle school program invites families to a virtual open house to meet school leaders, ask questions, and learn enrollment details for the inaugural Fall 2026 grades 6 to 8 class serving Buncombe and nearby counties.
Arts-integrated hybrid middle school program invites families to a virtual open house to meet school leaders, ask questions, and learn enrollment details for the inaugural Fall 2026 grades 6 to 8 class serving Buncombe and nearby counties.

Casual coffee conversations among atheists and secular humanists Sunday mornings (10 AM–noon), with book-club meetings twice a month at Standard Pizza and monthly Wednesday meetups at local breweries.

Casual coffee conversations among atheists and secular humanists Sunday mornings (10 AM–noon), with book-club meetings twice a month at Standard Pizza and monthly Wednesday meetups at local breweries.
Casual coffee conversations among atheists and secular humanists Sunday mornings (10 AM–noon), with book-club meetings twice a month at Standard Pizza and monthly Wednesday meetups at local breweries.

Drop in community meeting to shape Buncombe County's first Pedestrian Plan, focusing on sidewalks and crosswalks that connect neighborhoods to schools, job centers, and everyday destinations in unincorporated areas.

Drop in community meeting to shape Buncombe County's first Pedestrian Plan, focusing on sidewalks and crosswalks that connect neighborhoods to schools, job centers, and everyday destinations in unincorporated areas.
Drop in community meeting to shape Buncombe County's first Pedestrian Plan, focusing on sidewalks and crosswalks that connect neighborhoods to schools, job centers, and everyday destinations in unincorporated areas.
Hands on workshop teaching practical budgeting, debt reduction tactics, and long term investing strategies to build financial freedom; participants leave with actionable tools, templates, and community resource referrals.
Hands on workshop teaching practical budgeting, debt reduction tactics, and long term investing strategies to build financial freedom; participants leave with actionable tools, templates, and community resource referrals.
Hands on workshop teaching practical budgeting, debt reduction tactics, and long term investing strategies to build financial freedom; participants leave with actionable tools, templates, and community resource referrals.
Panel and community discussion on recovery and resilience strategies for Asheville’s River Arts District, connecting architects, RiverLink, and local stakeholders in a church venue for cross-disciplinary dialogue and creative solutions.
Panel and community discussion on recovery and resilience strategies for Asheville’s River Arts District, connecting architects, RiverLink, and local stakeholders in a church venue for cross-disciplinary dialogue and creative solutions.
Panel and community discussion on recovery and resilience strategies for Asheville’s River Arts District, connecting architects, RiverLink, and local stakeholders in a church venue for cross-disciplinary dialogue and creative solutions.