On June 6th from 6:30 – 9:30 pm, the Asheville Affiliates will present “Be a Superhero for Eliada,” a party inspired by superheroes, comic books, and pop-art. Held in the River Arts District’s Phil Mechanic Studios, event organizers hope that the industrial feel of the multi-floor studio will help build the theme. Featuring aerial acrobats, a photo booth and life size superhero cutouts, and music by DJ Kipper (Broadways, The Arcade), the event is a fundraiser for Eliada, a century-old organization serving children in need.

Cost: $20 if you RSVP now or $25 at the door

RSVP of Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/202904866524396/?fref=ts

Or: Purchase a ticket in advance by going to www.eliada.org and clicking on the gold donate button.  Tickets are $20 each through the website and your name will automatically be added to the guest list once your donation is processed.

The ticket price includes unlimited food and drink. Catawba Valley Brewing will bring the kegs, with wine provided by Skyland Distributing. In addition, Carriage House Distillery will be on hand offering tastings of apple brandy, moonshine, and more.  Performance Food Group and Earth Fare are providing all the ingredients for superhero subs and their accompanying sidekick side dishes.

In addition, the event will include a silent auction, live auction, and amazing raffle prizes, including a kayak donated by Diamond Brand.

Costumes are optional but encouraged!

You can see all of the wonderful local businesses and individuals who have supported this event by going to http://www.eliada.org/get-involved/be-a-superhero-for-eliada

About The Asheville Affiliates
The Asheville Affiliates (affiliatesofasheville.com) are a young, professional, and fun group of leaders that have been hosting “Parties with a Purpose” to benefit local non-profits since 1999. Our goal is to be a support system for non-profits in creating successful fundraising events through their 10+ years of networking and event planning experience.

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A decade ago, Natasha Evans was one of the very first interns in Eliada’s Residential Interns Seeking Excellence (RISE) program. A new college graduate, she found the RISE program after several unsuccessful months of job hunting.

“I kept hearing that they wanted someone with more experience,” she remembers. “It was frustrating because it seemed like there wasn’t any way to get the experience that employers were looking for. I just couldn’t get my foot in the door. RISE opened so many opportunities for me.”

RISE is an internship program for new college graduates that offers housing, a living stipend, medical benefits, vacation time, and professional development opportunities. Most importantly, RISE interns have the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job experience in the challenging and rewarding field of child and family services. They rotate through Eliada’s continuum of advanced educational and treatment programs, gaining experience working with a variety of student populations and evidenced-based interventions.

RISE interns have numerous opportunities during their service to lead projects of personal interest and deep significance to the agency. These leadership opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of programs, and training in specific models make RISE interns extremely competitive in the job market. The program is a true win-win. RISE interns gain real-world, resume-building experience, while Eliada’s students benefit from the enthusiasm and energy of new college graduates.

After her service was completed, Evans moved on to complete graduate work before eventually coming back to Eliada, this time to lead the RISE program that helped her get her professional start.

“I love working with these young professionals,” says Evans. “It is so remarkable to see the change in someone when they’re given leadership opportunities. There is so much growth that happens within the RISE experience.”

The RISE program was developed by Eliada CEO Mark Upright, for whom the idea came from pro-bono work that he did in law school.

“I liked the concept of service and professional development as a unified concept,” says Upright, “and I felt sure there had to be a way we could bring a similar model to the social service sector. While they’re here, RISE interns don’t have to worry about housing, bills, medical insurance, or anything like that. They can just focus on growing in their professional experience. It’s a unique opportunity that way.”

In the past ten years, RISE has welcomed interns from 38 states and 7 countries. RISE graduates have gone on to graduate programs and/or leadership positions within the field. Several have followed in Upright’s footsteps, going to law school or attaining an MBA. One has even become an FBI agent. For Upright, where they end up is less important than the experience they gain while being at Eliada.

“If RISE interns stay with us for one year and ultimately decide this field is not for them, I don’t consider that a failure,” he says. “We live in a time in which an awareness of mental health is so valuable to understanding our society. Even if they go on to work in a totally unrelated capacity, what RISE interns learn here will always stay with them.”

Particularly in the last five years, the program’s relevancy has become more pronounced. An analysis of government data recently conducted for The Associated Press showed that a weak labor market has left half of young college graduates either jobless or underemployed in positions that don’t fully utilize their skills and knowledge. Nationally, new graduates with little real-world experience are struggling to find meaningful, living wage work. Too often, young workers with great potential are forced to relocate to large metropolitan areas, creating a “brain drain” that diminishes smaller communities like Asheville. The RISE program helps change that by training the next generation of social workers and mental health professionals.

Now, the RISE program is expanding. Eliada is currently recruiting for a large number of open internship positions. More information and an online application is available at www.eliada.org/employment/rise, or by calling 828.254.5356 x 360.

About Eliada

Eliada is a 110 year old non-profit agency serving North Carolina’s children and families. Founded in 1903 by Dr. Lucius B. Compton as a home for women and children, Eliada’s full service continuum includes 5-Star Child Development Services (Pre School, After School, Summer Camp, More at Four); Residential and Day Treatment for children and adolescents; Vocational Education and Transitional Living; Foster Care and Therapeutic Foster Care; and Therapeutic Recreation services. Learn more about Eliada’s history and services by visiting Eliada.org. The agency enters its second century with pride, committed to the fulfillment of its mission statement: Helping Children Succeed.

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The Sixth Annual Eliada Charity Classic will be held Friday, May 3 at The Grove Park Inn’s famed Donald Ross course, which Golf Digest rated as one of the top ten courses 100 years or older. Tournament registration is $200 for individuals and $600 for a team of four, and includes all golf & cart fees, lunch, a commemorative gift, and a charitable donation. After a day on the links, join us for a complimentary buffet of hors d’oeuvres sponsored by Corner Kitchen. The Charity Classic has developed a reputation for being a quality tournament that is extremely well organized and lots of fun.

Register Today!

Click here to download the 2013 Registration & Sponsorship Form. Give us a call with any questions: 828.254.5356 x 300. You can also reach us via email at *protected email*. See you on the links and thanks for your support!

Where Do Tournament Funds Go?

For over a century, Eliada has worked to serve the “last, least, and lost” in our community by offering a continuum of programs designed to fulfill our mission: Helping Children Succeed. Some of our students live on our campus, while others come to us through programs like foster care, case management, and child development services. 100% of the funds raised through the Charity Classic support WNC children and families in need.

About The Littlest Golfer – Our Founding Sponsor

The Founding Sponsor of the Eliada Charity Classic is The Littlest Golfer. The Littlest Golfer makes resort-quality golf apparel, accessories, toys, books and equipment for infants and children—the fastest growing segment in golf. The company’s golfing turtle mascots, Putter and Sandy, invite young children to explore the world. The Littlest Golfer’s educational books are designed to give children the tools they need to succeed in golf and life. The Littlest Golfer has already been featured by style editors at every major golf publication including Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, Golfweek, Golf Business Magazine, Golf and Leisure Magazine, The Apparel Wire, PGA Magazine and Arnold Palmer’s Kingdom Magazine.

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On Saturday, April 20, Eliada alumni young and old will gather for the annual alumni reunion. Some of those who will be in attendance lived at Eliada for a majority of their childhood, while others may only have stayed for a few short months. Past teachers, house parents, and counselors are also invited to attend the gathering. The event is an opportunity for alumni to reflect, remember, and return to the place that many of them still think of as home.

For Eliada CEO Mark Upright, it’s important to ensure that Eliada remains a welcoming place for alumni and their families. “There are thousands of men and women out there for whom the Eliada campus was a backdrop for a significant part of their life story. When they come to our campus, I want them to feel like honored guests. It’s very touching to see them browsing our archival photos in the main administration office. Many of them say this is where they come to see their baby pictures.”

This year’s reunion itinerary includes a tour of campus, a visit to the historic cemetery, and ample opportunities for fellowship among alumni. Lunch will be provided by Eliada’s culinary students and, thanks to a generous donation, will be provided free of charge. For more information about the reunion or to RSVP, contact Wanda (Rich) Wilson at 706.982.2826.

About Eliada

Eliada is a 110 year old non-profit agency serving North Carolina’s children and families. Founded in 1903 by Dr. Lucius B. Compton as a home for women and children, Eliada’s full service continuum includes 5-Star Child Development Services (Pre School, After School, Summer Camp, More at Four); Residential and Day Treatment for children and adolescents; Vocational Education and Transitional Living; Foster Care and Therapeutic Foster Care; and Therapeutic Recreation services. Learn more about Eliada’s history and services by visiting Eliada.org. The agency enters its second century with pride, committed to the fulfillment of its mission statement: Helping Children Succeed.

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On Thursday, March 7 Eliada will host a Faith Leaders Breakfast beginning at 9 am. Ministers, pastors, and other faith leaders are invited to attend and learn more about the agency’s programs for children and families.

“We recognize that when families are in crisis, they often turn to their pastor for support,” said Carolyn Ashworth, Eliada’s Director of Development. “We want to give faith leaders a good understanding of what resources might be available to those in their congregation that might be struggling. The breakfast is also part of our effort to strengthen our relationship with the faith community.”

Eliada was founded in 1903 by Dr. Lucius B. Compton, aself-described “New Testament Christian” who felt a deep spiritual conviction to begin a ministry that initially served unwed mothers. Maintained for over seventy years as an orphanage, Eliada now offers a full continuum of high-level treatment and educational services for children from birth through young adulthood. The organization has grown to become a $10 million dollar non-profit serving nearly 1,000 vulnerable children and families each year.

There is no cost to attend the Faith Leaders Breakfast, but seating is limited and an RSVP is requested. Learn more by contacting Eliada’s Development Office at 828.254.5356 x 108.

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