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
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,
Marc’s Journey to Stability
Wendy Brooks is a Community Health Worker – Violence Prevention Professional, dedicated to helping people break free from cycles of instability and hardship.
10 for 10 Anniversary Giving Campaign
Click here to join 10 for 10! 10 for 10 Giving Campaign: Celebrate a Decade of Impact! Small Steps. Big Impact. Join Us! For the
Hiring a NEW People & Culture Coordinator
Apply through Indeed HERE or send your resume and cover letter to Recruiter@thesparcfoundation.org People and Culture Coordinator The SPARC Foundation is a locally rooted nonprofit
SPARC Foundation Annual Report 2023-2024
Thank you for your support! The successes of our clients are directly connected to the generosity of our community and contributors. Donate to SPARC Foundation
Community 48 Hours of Peace and Unity Event
Violence Prevention Professionals Host a Weekend of Deep Discussion, Community Fun, and the Healing Art of Music in Asheville The P.E.A.C.E. Team hosted
Free Community Art Walk & Benefit
We invite you to join us on May 2nd from 5-9 pm for Mosaic Realty’s 2nd annual Art Walk & Benefit. SPARC Foundation is
SPARCing Conversations Newsletter – January 2024
Get your SPARC After Dark tickets HERE! And enjoy this month’s Newsletter HERE!
SPARC After Dark 2024
Click for your tix! The SPARC Foundation’s party with a purpose is back! Thursday, March 21st Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. 131 Sweeten Creek Rd. 6
P.E.A.C.E. Team Family Day of Action + Remembrance
Inaugural P.E.A.C.E. Team Family Day of Action and Remembrance Violence prevention professionals host gun buyback, community celebration, and healing vigil Asheville, NC, December 4, 2023
SPARCing Conversations Newsletter – November 2024
HERE is your copy! Enjoy and let’s stay connected!
SPARCing Advocacy to Protect (VOCA) Victims of Crime Act Funding
On this Call-in Day, we can tell Congress:“Please take action to prevent a devastating $700 million cut to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Victims
Inequality in Banking + Loan Services
During this month’s IMPACTeam meeting, we focused on inequality and discrimination in banking practices and loans – the history, how and where it shows up
What is a Community Health Worker?
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have an unusually close understanding of the community
2023 N.C. Voter ID Requirements
Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina, starting with the 2023 municipal elections. Voters can now get a FREE
SPARCing Community Safety – July 2023 Newsletter
Get your SPARCing Connections July Newsletter HERE
“A disagreement turns into a shooting”
The Juneteenth celebrations were an opportunity for all of Asheville to celebrate the culture and strength of the black community. Vendors, food trucks,
SPARCing Employment Equity – June Newsletter
Get your SPARCing Connections Newsletter HERE
SPARCing Safe Communities
WATCH THE STORY HERE and learn about these dedicated and well-trained community members who will be pivotal in reducing violence and meeting the needs of local residents
Kaylee Burgess – SPARCing change + creativity
Poke the bear for more of Kaylee’s designs Kaylee on the pitch as a Carolina Villain! “Between a rock & a healing place” – Kaylee
SPARC Creative Market 2023
SPARC Creative Market 2023 JOIN US!! Let us know you’re coming and help spread the word HERE! MEET OUR MARKET SPONSORS! Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty – Premier
SPARCing Conversations Newsletter – February 2023
SPARCing Conversations Newsletter – February 2023 Art, Authenticity, Achievement and Opportunities, we cover them all this month in “SPARCing Conversations”. Get your edition HERE!
Guest Essayist Keynon Lake – My Daddy Taught Me That
Guest Essayist Keynon Lake – My Daddy Taught Me That For nearly a decade, Asheville City Schools have been labeled as having one
Meet SPARC’s Board Chair – Lissa Brown
Meet SPARC’s Board Chair – Lissa Brown Above – Lissa Brown with SPARC’s ED, Jackie LatekBelow – Post Board meeting fun with Board Treasurer, Veronica
12 Months of SPARC – 2022
12 Months of SPARC – 2022 Click HERE to reflect on the year and connect with us to SPARC a more equitable, safe and just 2022!
SPARCing Innovative Solutions
SPARCing Innovative Solutions We are SPARCing Conversations and they just won’t be as fun without you! CLICK HERE to get your edition and hit subscribe for direct
SPARC’s New Operation Director
SPARC’s New Operation Director SPARC Foundation hires Tracey McCrain as Operations Director (October 7, 2022, Asheville, NC) – The SPARC Foundation has hired accomplished nonprofit
World Duchenne Awareness Day 2022
The Campbell-Clark family enjoying the great outdoors in WNC. Javon and his mom, Jessica (Family Centered Treatment Team Supervisor with SPARC) spread awareness about Duchenne
Partnering to increase safety in Asheville
Partnering to increase safety in Asheville CLICK HERE for the latest WLOS NEWS 13 story about SPARC’S creative community partnership with My Daddy Taught me That
Values of The SPARC Foundation
Values of The SPARC Foundation Get to know us through our 8 Values – CLICK TO PLAY!
Joe Greene – “Colon Cancer Health Ambassador”
Joe Greene – “Colon Cancer Health Ambassador” Despite the lingering grogginess of anesthesia, Joe Greene remembers his exact words after learning he
A Renaissance for Author Loren Clement
A Renaissance for Author Loren Clement Q+R time with Author and SPARC Team Member, Loren Clement: Question: Will you please tell us a little bit about
Meet Patricia Waters
Meet Patricia Waters Meet Patricia Waters HERE Patricia is an encourager in all she does! Health and wellness, including prioritizing her own self-care, is always in
December Newsletter – 12 Months of SPARC 2021
December Newsletter – 12 Months of SPARC 2021 Click HERE to reflect on the year and connect with us to SPARC a more equitable, safe and just
SPARC’s Equity Advocates Committee – Meet Jeff Whisenant
SPARC’s Equity Advocates Committee – Meet Jeff Whisenant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-apcFR90Sg
Rebuilding Trust + Community / The Violence Interrupters Street Team
Rebuilding Trust + Community / The Violence Interrupters Street Team In 2021, Ernestine and Leslie moved into Klondyke Apartments – just a few
SPARC’s Executive Director Awarded with 2021 CoThinkk Ally Leader Award
SPARC’s Executive Director Awarded with 2021 CoThinkk Ally Leader Award CoThinkk is dedicated to social change philanthropy by investing our time, talent and treasure to accelerate
SPARCing Sustainable Careers
SPARCing Sustainable Careers Buncombe County’s INCLUSIVE Hiring Partners joined the great families and energy at Hillcrest! The SPARC Foundation team enjoyed the conversations, food and
Lessons with Leasha – August 2021 – One year @ SPARC
Lessons with Leasha – August 2021 – One year @ SPARC Reflections on My 1-Year SPARCiversary It’s hard to believe a
SPARC Expands Family Centered Treatment Recovery (FCTR) in WNC
SPARC Expands Family Centered Treatment Recovery (FCTR) in WNC The SPARC Foundation Earns Multi-Year Funding to Expand Innovative Program Serving Families in Crisis Federal agency
Celebrating 6 Years of SPARC!
Celebrating 6 Years of SPARC! Celebrating with staff & community partners – take a look at the video! And make a donation HERE. Thank you!
SPARCing Connections Newsletter – June 2021
SPARCing Connections Newsletter – June 2021 Celebrating 6 Years of Igniting Connections – Join us HERE
SPARCing Conversation on The Veronica Edwards Show
SPARCing Conversation on The Veronica Edwards Show CLICK TO LISTENVeronica Edwards (podcast talent AND SPARC Board Treasurer) interviews SPARC’s ED, Jackie Latek.– Jackie’s journey that
SPARCing Healthy Families – April 2021 Newsletter
SPARCing Healthy Families – April 2021 Newsletter SPARCing Healthy Families – find this month’s Newsletter HERE
Staff Spotlight – Benjamin Gifford – SPARC’s Domestic Violence Intervention Program
Staff Spotlight – Benjamin Gifford – SPARC’s Domestic Violence Intervention Program Coming up on his one-year anniversary, Benjamin has never known teaching and
Lessons with Leasha – SPARCing Healthy Communication
Lessons with Leasha – SPARCing Healthy Communication How Skills Learned at Work Can be Helpful at Home I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “check your
The SPARC Foundation’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The SPARC Foundation’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion SPARC is committed to reflecting, empowering and celebrating our staff and the communities we serve. We
Partnering for Peace + Healing + Hope to End Gun Violence
Partnering for Peace + Healing + Hope to End Gun Violence https://youtu.be/zJ3M0_mGOeE
March Newsletter – SPARCing Support for Parents
March Newsletter – SPARCing Support for Parents Click HERE to read now!
Lessons with Leasha – SPARCing New Routines
Lessons with Leasha – SPARCing New Routines While many of us are still primarily working from home and supervising our kids’ virtual school
SPARCing Powerful Partnerships – February 2021 Newsletter
SPARCing Powerful Partnerships – February 2021 Newsletter February 2021 NewsletterJoin us HERE
SPARCing Partnerships to End Gun Violence
SPARCing Partnerships to End Gun Violence Mountain Xpress news profile introducing the new collaboration – between The SPARC Foundation; Umoja Health, Wellness and Justice Collective;
Lessons with Leasha – SPARCing New Networks
Lessons with Leasha – SPARCing New Networks As an extreme introvert, networking has never been my main idea of fun! I spent the
January 2021 Newsletter – Employment
January 2021 Newsletter – Employment Click HERE to read! What was your first job? Have new career goals for 2021? We are igniting connections to employment this
SPARC Awarded Safety and Justice Challenge Grant
SPARC Awarded Safety and Justice Challenge Grant For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pamela Wright Phone: 828-747-8257 SPARC Foundation partners with Racial Justice Coalition, My Daddy Taught
New Year, New Job? SPARCing A Personal Plan
New Year, New Job? SPARCing A Personal Plan New Year…New Job?! Happy New Year! The new year SPARCs a fire under us to set new
SPARCing Connections Newsletter – December 2020
SPARCing Connections Newsletter – December 2020 CLICK HERE to read! Igniting local connections to equity in women’s healthcare, community, recovery, gratitude and kindness in this month’s
SPARCing New Careers
SPARCing New Careers Strivven Media, parent company of VirtualJobShadow.com, values the many ways jobs can improve our lives. This Giving Tuesday, Strivven Media choose to
SPARCing Family Restoration in Family Centered Treatment- Recovery
SPARCing Family Restoration in Family Centered Treatment- Recovery Kristen, a mother of two young boys, refers to the evening of July 13, 2019
SPARC After Dark shines on in 2020!
SPARC After Dark shines on in 2020! Celebrating what was “SPARC After Dark” last October, what still shines on today, and inviting you to help
SPARCing Community Health – HERS with Yvette Jives
SPARCing Community Health – HERS with Yvette Jives Yvette Jives, an Asheville nurse and social worker, shares how she became an author and activist following
SPARCing Connections Newsletter
SPARCing Connections Newsletter It’s all about SPARCing Change in our September Newsletter. Use this link to meet new people, learn about inspiring new beginnings and to let
SPARCing Health & Nutrition
SPARCing Health & Nutrition SPARC is part of a local partnership bringing free food to neighbors in need across Buncombe County. Community Engagement Markets
SPARC’s New Logo – Meet Designer Tony Delia
SPARC’s New Logo – Meet Designer Tony Delia Throughout his 25-year career as an award-winning Creative Director and Designer, Tony has established breakthrough brand
Introducing Leasha Ogle
Introducing Leasha Ogle Q & A with Leasha Ogle, SPARC Foundation’s new People and Culture Coordinator Q:What should we know about you? A: I was born and raised
Jessica – SPARC’s Success Spotlight – Family Centered Treatment-Recovery
Jessica – SPARC’s Success Spotlight – Family Centered Treatment-Recovery “When I used to hear about someone losing custody of a child to DSS, I’d think
Welcome, Leasha!
Welcome, Leasha! For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pamela Wright Phone: 828-747-8257 SPARC Foundation Hires Leasha Ogle As People and Culture Coordinator New Position Created by Board
Ending the abuse: County domestic violence plan
Ending the abuse: County domestic violence plan An Asheville Citizen Times article from 2015 reports of Countywide efforts to reduce domestic violence, including SPARC’s role
SPARCing Community Safety
SPARCing Community Safety The SPARC Foundation was awarded a grant by the NC Governors Crime Commission and was chosen to pilot this program for the
SPARCing Employment & Second Chances
SPARCing Employment & Second Chances Tony Shivers, Case Manager at The SPARC Foundation, shares with WLOS News 13 some of the lessons he’s learned while
Dr. Michelle Alvarez
Dr. Michelle Alvarez Dr. Michelle ÁlvarezLicensed Clinical Psychologist, Asheville MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTHDr. Michelle Álvarez offers insight, information and encouragement. Q: As a mental health professional, what
Summer Updates 2020
Summer Updates 2020 Read our SPARCing Connections Newsletter HERE SUMMER 2020
MAY 2020 – SPARCing Safety
MAY 2020 – SPARCing Safety Read our SPARCing Connections Newsletter HERE May 2020SPARCing Safety
March/April 2020 – SPARCing Community
March/April 2020 – SPARCing Community Read our SPARCing Connections Newsletter HERE SPARCing Community from a DistanceMarch & April Covid-19
February 2020 – SPARCing Stories
February 2020 – SPARCing Stories Read our SPARCing Connections Newsletter HERE Black History Month 2020Bridging Divides & Honoring History
January 2020 – SPARCing Creativity
January 2020 – SPARCing Creativity Read our SPARCing Connections Newsletter HEREJanuary 2020SPARCING Creativity
Sparc Success Story – Taquon
Sparc Success Story – Taquon The eldest of 12 siblings, and the father of two kids of his own, 25 year old Taquon credits love