Luncheon opens Power of the Purse

By Mike Shands

Staff Writer

More than 200 High Country women made their voices and pocketbooks heard Aug. 25.

They attended the Power of the Purse luncheon at Blowing Rock Country Club to launch the High Country Women’s Fund (HCWF), an initiative sponsored by the High Country United Way (HCUW) that will be devoted exclusively to women’s causes in Watauga and Avery counties.

Tricia Wilson, incoming president of the HCUW board of directors, welcomed women from Linville, Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain and Tennessee to the luncheon, which was sponsored by Mountain States Health Alliance in Johnson City, Tenn.

“Thank you so much for supporting this new initiative of the High Country United Way,” Wilson said.

Nancy Ashline, a spokeswoman for the HCWF, said all funding decisions will be controlled by women.

“As women we are all natural nurturers. We love our friends, our families, our pets. We want to take care of the world,” Ashline said. “I’d like to share with you how you can help take care of our little corner of it.

“Helping women out of poverty and despair will be our focus. The women’s fund will bridge the gap from crisis to recovery. We want to break the cycle of poverty by empowering women to have self respect, be responsible and take personal pride in their lives.”

Ashline said that the HCWF is a way for women to make a real change in the community.

“By empowering women in crisis, we can better their lives and the lives of their children. We can break the cycle,” she said.

Those attending the luncheon put their money where their hearts are.

Ticket sales for the luncheon and a jewelry silent auction generated $7,280 and $8,550, respectively. Luncheon guests also donated $6,041, and they pledged $19,800 this year. Several of those also pledged another $19,800 over the course of the two following years, bringing the total amount raised by the luncheon to $61,491.

All of those funds will go to the HCWF, which will distribute them to various women’s causes.

Those unable to attend the luncheon are welcome to donate or pledge funds at any time.

“Every supporter is important to us, no matter how much they give,” Ashline said.

“If you want to have a more decisive voice in the program, you can become a member of the director’s circle. Women who pledge a minimum of $1,200 a year for three consecutive years will be members.

“You will have the opportunity to decide which programs merit funding and help plan educational activities throughout the year.”

Those programs could include a wide array of assistance, such as help with education, job interview skills, résumés, dental work and professional clothing.

“It’s anything we can do to help these women land a steady job,” Ashline said. “We can provide transportation and childcare assistance for women who are having difficulty making it to a medical appointment, counseling classes or jobs until they can get back on their feet.”

The fund could also:

* Develop additional transitional housing for women and children so they can leave a violent home

* Help women battling substance abuse problems make it through to recovery

* Provide more classes for teenage mothers trying to become better parents

* Encourage girls who have dropped out of high school to get their GED

* Establish peer-support groups so girls can help each other through difficult times

“We can encourage women to strike out into the world when they have not had an opportunity to do so,” Ashline said.

“Agencies like OASIS, Hospitality House, the Hunger and Health Coalition and WAMY are excellent at crisis, but their recovery programs are stretched.

“OASIS has a six-month transitional housing for four women. It is full, and more are on the waiting list.”

Ashline also mentioned a pilot program by New River Behavioral Health to provide living space for single mothers who are recovering from substance abuse.

“We will be flexible,” she said. “While funding programs will be the main focus, moneys will be set aside to help women in unusual crisis situations.

“We hope to sponsor a girls’ group that will empower them to look beyond what society is telling them to be and encourage them to discover what they can be.”

For more information about the women’s fund, contact the HCUW at 265-2111.