Author: Pamela Wright

Community Health Workers Help Drive Decline in Gun Violence in Asheville

Across the country, there are early signs of hope. A new analysis published by The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering gun violence in America, found that gun violence is trending downward in more than three-quarters of U.S. cities — a shift experts attribute to sustained prevention efforts, stronger community connections, and data-driven approaches […]

Missie Parran : Mapping a Life Beyond Survival

Missie Parran: Mapping a Life Beyond Survival Before she was Missie the Peer Support Specialist – guiding people through recovery, earning her Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential, and winning the hearts and respect of her colleagues at the SPARC Foundation – Missie was a survivor of trauma, addiction, and her own inner doubts. As […]

Finding Her Way Home: Yashika Smith’s Journey to SPARC

“There’s just a part of my soul that always knows – it’s all going to work out.” If there’s a single thread running through Yashika Smith’s life, it’s resilience wrapped in hope, with a bright sparkle of humor. Now stepping into her role as the new People and Culture Coordinator at The SPARC Foundation, Yashika […]

When Promises Are Broken: The True Cost of Canceling a Grant

 At The SPARC Foundation, we work every day to keep families healthy and together. We serve parents who are doing the hard work of recovery, children who deserve safety and stability, and communities working to heal from cycles of harm. Several years ago, we identified a heartbreaking pattern: families involved in the child welfare system […]