Asheville Yoga Center Fundraises to Support Our VOICE
Yoga studio dedicates classes, workshop & 10% of proceeds on April 26 to fight sexual violence
To raise awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and join the fight against sexual violence in our community, Asheville Yoga Center has selected Our VOICE as its Charity of the Month for April 2018.
All month long, AYC will have donation boxes stationed at the and Boutique for guests to directly contribute funds, and on Thursday, April 26, 10% of all drop-in and community class sales will be donated to the local nonprofit. On April 30, AYC will host a donation-based Trauma-Sensitive Restorative Yoga Workshop led by instructor Becca Odom, LCSW, E-RYT 200. The suggested donation to the workshop is $20, and all funds raised will be directly donated to Our VOICE in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Along with class donations, AYC will contribute $250 to inspire young women and encourage lifelong health.
“Asheville Yoga Center recognizes the importance of victims’ services for survivors of sexual harassment, and we are thrilled by the opportunity to lend our support any way we can,” says Melissa Pennscott, General Manager of AYC. “We are grateful for organizations like Our VOICE that fight on the frontlines against sexual violence in our community and around the world.”
Established in 1974, Our VOICE has become a leader in the prevention & intervention of sexual violence in Buncombe County. The non-profit provides counseling, advocacy, and education to serve all victims of sexual violence regardless of race, religions, sexual orientation, gender identity, status of citizenship, or income level.
“Survivors across the country are speaking up and breaking the silence around assault and harassment,” says Angelica Wind, Executive Director of Our VOICE. “From media headlines to the #MeToo movement, we are witnessing the pervasiveness of sexual violence in our society, while also holding space for survivors in our community. Now, more than ever, we need to stand in support of all people whose lives have been impacted by sexual violence. We are grateful for businesses like Asheville Yoga Center for standing by survivors and supporting them on the path to healing. Every donation makes a difference in the fight to end sexual violence in our community.”
Save the date: March 14, 2019 Our VOICE will be hosting its first Breaking the Silence speaker series. Among the featured speakers will be Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement.
Our VOICE sponsors a number of projects in the community. Wishlists can be found below for those who are interested in making direct contributions to the nonprofit and can be dropped off at 35 Woodfin Street, 28801.
- Backpacks
- Individually wrapped healthy snacks
- Access to food: Gift cards to Ingles/Harris Teeter/Trader Joe’s/To downtown fast-food restaurants
- Clean, new sweat pants
- New sports bras
- Blankets
- Deodorant
- Paper clips
- Colored pens
- Markers
- Art paper/Card Stock Paper
- Photography magazines (ie National Geographic, for collage classes)
- Sanitary pads
- Bottled Water
- Herbal Tea/Black Tea
- Coffee
- Individually wrapped snacks
- Tissue
For more information, or for information on Our VOICE’s supportive services, see ourvoicenc.org.
About Asheville Yoga Center:
Asheville Yoga Center (AYC) is a leader in providing world-class instruction and support for personal growth through yoga. Founded in 1997, AYC offers classes, teacher training, and a retail boutique for yoga practitioners of all levels. Learn more at youryoga.com.
About Our VOICE:
Our VOICE, Inc. is a non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency which serves victims of sexual violence, age 13 through adult, in Buncombe County. Founded in 1974 in the pursuit of a community that is free of sexual violence, Our VOICE serves all individuals in Buncombe County affected by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education.
