YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

Avery Partnership for Children

Serves children ages 0-5 in Avery County with health-related, childcare-related, and family support programs. Provides dental hygiene education, car seat/safety equipment distribution, Hispanic women's support, family advocacy, childcare resource, referral and subsidies, and a comprehensive Outreach program.

Phone: 828-733-2899 or E-mail: acpfc@bellsouth.net

Blazing Saddles

"Where Hearts Ride on Horseback." Blazing Saddles is a therapeutic horseback-riding program that develops self-confidence, mobility, and independence in children and adults with physical or cognitive disabilities.

Phone: 828-295-3335 or E-mail: coxfamily@goboone.net

Boy Scouts of America

The mission of Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scouting offers leadership development and the outdoor programs to instill character, citizenship, and fitness in boys and young men ages 6-18.

Daniel Boone Council ( Watauga County - click here)

Phone: 800-526-6708 or E-mail: djorgens@bsamail.org or jstdbcbsa@aol.com

Old Hickory Council ( Avery County - click here)

Phone: 336-760-2900 or E-mail: swilburn@bsamail.org

Children's Council of Watauga County

Provides childcare referrals and childcare information for parents, childcare training and resources for childcare providers, and works to increase the supply and quality of childcare. Funds early childhood education services, childcare subsidies, increased salaries for childcare teachers and directors, and health and parent education to benefit children 0-5 years old. Advocates for children of all ages.

Phone: 828-262-5424 or E-mail: ccwci@bellsouth.net

The Children's Playhouse

Serves as a community center where parents and children from birth to age eight can play and explore the arts together. Promotes good parenting by providing a space in which parents can meet and exchange experiences. The Children's Playhouse also makes trips to local elementary schools to teach and interact with children.

Phone: 828-263-0011 or E-mail: kathy@goplayhouse.org

Girl Scouts of Western North Carolina, Pisgah Council

Teaches character, conduct, patriotism, and service to girls ages 5-17 in Avery County. Provides opportunities for leadership, creativity, problem solving, goal setting, self-reliance, responsibility, curiosity, and fun.

Phone: 800-522-6280 or E-mail: asheehan@girlscoutswnc.org

Grandfather Academy

Provides special educational opportunities for boys and girls estranged by extreme emotional, sexual, or other abuse and neglect. Academy students are referred from area mental health agencies, juvenile justice and department of social services to live in the Academy’s residential treatment center for specialized instruction and care.

Phone: 828-898-3868 or E-mail: school@grandfatherhome.com

Mountain Alliance

Provides Watauga County students ages 13-18 with a safe and supportive experimental learning environment. In the Leadership Development Program, students participate in service learning outings, adventure-based outings, and cross-cultural/environmental activities throughout the school year. Programs offered after school and during weekends and breaks.

Phone: 828-263-0383 or E-mail: noltt@watauga.k12.nc.us

New River Behavioral Healthcare LME

Offers New River Family Solutions, a research project working with Appalachian State University, to develop peer-managed supportive housing for female-headed households recovering from substance abuse. Includes support services: case management, substance abuse counseling and life skills training.

Phone: 828-263-5638 or E-mail: coxr@newriver.org

Sugar Grove Developmental Day School

Provides quality daycare for both children who are developing typically and children who are at risk or have developmental disabilities. Licensed to service 39 children from 8 weeks of age to kindergarten for families of western Watauga County and surrounding areas.

Phone: 828-297-4226 or E-mail: sgdds@skybest.com

Watauga County 4-H

Sponsors educational programs that create "hands-on" learning activities to foster decision-making, critical thinking, communication, public speaking, citizenship, and community service.

Phone: 828-264-3061 or E-mail: karee_mackey @ncsu.edu

Western Youth Network

Provides services for at-risk youth through several programs. Offers recreation, academic support, and positive peer experience during summer and in after school programs. Programs offered on-site at WYN and at county public school sites. Also provides substance abuse prevention educational program.

Phone: 828-264-5174 or E-mail: grubbj@westernyouthnetwork.org or clinem@westernyouthnetwork.org

CRISIS SERVICES

Acada Home, Inc. (Avery Citizens Against Domestic Abuse)

Is committed to breaking the cycle of violence, sexual assault and abuse in Avery County. Serves the community and clients with an educational program to provide information and heighten awareness, a safe shelter for clients in need and a 24-hour Crisis Line staffed by trained volunteers.

Phone: 828-733-3512 or E-mail: acada@skybest.com

American Red Cross, Watauga County Chapter (click here)

Provides relief to victims of disasters in Watauga and Avery Counties. Helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Coordinates blood donor recruitment, blood collection, and community education.

Phone: 828-264-8226 or E-mail: watarc@goboone.net

Hospitality House

"Helps folks get back on their feet" by providing shelter for the homeless and meals through the Bread of Life program. Counsels and refers individuals and families in emergency situations.

Phone: 828-264-1237 or E-mail: masonlo@aol.com or hoshouse@appstate.net

OASIS, Inc. - Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter (Click here)

Serves victims of family violence and sexual assault through crisis intervention counseling, support groups, free confidential shelter, and educational programs for the community. OASIS also staffs a toll-free 24-hour crisis line.

Toll-free 24-hour crisis line 800-268-1488 or 828-262-5035

Office Phone: 828-264-1532 or E-mail: outreach@oasisinc.org

The Hunger Coalition (click here)

Offers free prescriptions through on-site and mobile pharmacy. Gives food boxes to hungry people and families. Provides Holiday Dinner gathering on Thanksgiving and Sharing Tree at Christmas. Offers assistance with disability applications.

Phone: 828-262-1628 or E-mail: hungerc@bellsouth.net

Volunteer Avery County

Meets with families and individuals to assess the scope and nature of needs and to identify other service organizations that are suited to help. Offers crisis assistance with emergency food supplies, housing, heating and medicines. Matches volunteers with clients in need and with other organizations that need volunteer workers.

Phone: 828-737-0718 or E-mail: volunteerac@bellsouth.net

WeCAN (Watauga Emergency Crisis Assistance Network)

A program of Hospitality House. Responds to crisis situations: helping prevent eviction, assisting homeless with permanent housing solutions, avoiding electric service cut-off, helping with heating needs, assisting with needed prescriptions when other funding is not an option, and providing support with transportation-related expenses when necessary for employment or medical needs.

Phone: 828-264-1237 or E-mail: masonlo@aol.com or hoshouse@appstate.net

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Appalachian Senior Companion Program

Serves a dual-purpose by engaging seniors to be active in their community as they provide in-home assistance and companionship to their peers. Provides relief to the primary caregiver and reduces healthcare costs.

Phone: 336-846-4898 or E-mail: wellbrnda@appstate.edu

Blue Ridge Dispute Settlement Center

Provides mediation to resolve conflicts between individuals and within families as an alternative to avoidance, destructive confrontation, prolonged litigation, and violence. Provides mediation in four categories: 1) court-referred; 2) family/divorce; 3) juvenile; and 4) community. Also provides Sentencing Services, a program to help felony offenders facing incarceration develop plan for getting treatment, repaying victims, and becoming productive members of their families and society.

Phone 828-264-3040 or E-mail: blueridgedisp40@bellsouth.net

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western North Carolina (Click here)

FREE confidential, professional budget and money management counseling enabling people with financial difficulties to meet financial obligations, stabilize housing, and develop money management skills. Debt Repayment Programs available for unsecured credit accounts to help people avoid bankruptcy. Education programs provide practical information for better money management and credit.

Phone: 800-737-5485 or E-mail: celestec@cccsofwnc.org

High Country Amigos

Offers bilingual, culturally appropriate, wraparound services designed to offer Hispanic residents (Watauga and Ashe) career training that includes English as a second language and one-on-one tutoring sessions. Job training encompasses office procedures, keyboarding, word processing, and data entry skills. Services such as translation, housing and legal assistance, and child safety training classes are also offered.

Phone: 828-264-2930 or E-mail: watcoordinator@bellsouth.net

Hospice of Avery

Dedicated to meeting the holistic healthcare needs of the terminally ill and their families. Provides in-home services to support patients and their families while honoring their wishes to die in their own home surrounded by those they are comfortable with. The staff works as a team to address the physical, spiritual, and psychosocial needs of the entire family, while working with the patients primary physician.

Phone: 828-733-0663 or E-mail: hospice_avery@bellsouth.net

Parent to Parent Family Support Network of the High Country (Click here)

Matches volunteer support parents one-to-one with families who have experienced a premature infant, a child with a chronic illness or disability, or the death of a child. Provides information, assistance and resources to professionals who are working with these families. Serves as an advocate to empower parents and families within the community.

Phone: 828-262-6089 or Toll Free Family Line: 866-812-3122 E-mail: hayeskl@appstate.edu

Service Center for Latinos

Seeks to address the needs of Avery Latino residents with needs such as learning to speak, read and write in English, translation, legal aid, adequate housing and employment, and utilization of available human services.

Phone: 828-765-9980 or E-mail: sercentlatin@bellsouth.net

WAMY Community Action Inc.

Promotes individual and family self-sufficiency in order to alleviate poverty and enhance quality of life of residents in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. High Country United Way funds are used for two programs offered by WAMY: 1) Support Our Students Initiative (Avery County) provides academic support, educational and cultural enrichment, and recreational activities in a quality after-school and summer program; 2) Community Nutrition Program (Watauga and Avery counties) assists low-income, elderly and disabled residents in meeting their food needs through home gardens.

Phone: 828-264-2421 or E-mail: admnwamy@bellsouth.net

Yellow Mountain Enterprises
Serves adults with developmental disabilities in Avery County through an Adult Development Vocational Program. Teaches daily living and vocational skills so adults can progress toward independent living.

Phone: 828-733-2944 or E-marl: yellowmtn@interlink-café.com