donation - T-V-S Overcoming Challenges | Feeding Our World

TVS employees clean out closets for winter clothing drive

Nov 3, 2020 | News

Immediately following our recent food donation, TVS began collecting winter clothing for the Life Changers Outreach. TVS employees cleaned out their closets and collected 200 winter clothing items for the donation. The donation was delivered to Life Changers Outreach on November 2.

With cold fronts moving in and chilly weather in the air, the collection included gently used coats, jackets, jean, and hoodies. Due to COVID restrictions, Life Changers also requested that some of the items be new, such as, gloves, socks, scarves, and beanies.

Life Changers Outreach focuses on helping men and women struggling with various types of bondages or life-controlling issues through Biblical studies, Christian counseling and worship. They offer a non-medical, non-psychiatric approach that focuses on achieving inner-healing for deep rooted issues that are often at the center of addiction.

You can learn more about the program at http://lifechangersoutreach.com/home

TVS donates over 800 items to Life Changers Outreach!

Oct 20, 2020 | News

During the first two weeks of October, TVS collected over 800 items to donate to the Life Changers Outreach program in Pisgah Forest. This is TVS’ largest donation of canned food in recent history.

“The canned food donation was an absolutely overwhelming response,” said Life Changers Program Director Aaron Britt. “It is all about community and what we can do to help each other.”

The items included boxes of macaroni and cheese, soups and broths, rice and beans, cereals, and much more. Even as the last day for donations was ending, employees were still showing up with items to donate leaving an exact number unavailable.

The event was organized by TVS, Benefits and Recruitment Specialist Catherine Tinsley and TVS Administration Assistance Kayde Hopkins.

“It was so great seeing the employees of TVS come together in just two short weeks to support such a great cause,” Tinsley said. “I am so thankful to be a part of such an amazing company that gives back to the community I am excited to see how our next few drives go!”

Life Changers Outreach is located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina at the River Church and has been in operation since 2015.

These donated items will be use to feed the men and women that are currently housed and enrolled in the program to better their lives and build a relationship with Christ.

Life Changers Outreach focuses on helping men and women struggling with various types of bondages or life-controlling issues through Biblical studies, Christian counseling and worship. They offer a non-medical, non-psychiatric approach that focuses on achieving inner-healing for deep rooted issues that are often at the center of addiction.

From now until the end of October, TVS will be collecting slightly worn winter clothing, along with new scarfs and gloves, to donate to the nonprofit as well.

You can learn more at http://lifechangersoutreach.com/home

Dogwood Health Trust grant allows for TVS Pre-ETS teachers transportation

Mar 23, 2020 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) is thrilled to announce that their organization has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Dogwood Health Trust. The Immediate Opportunities and Needs (ION) grant has been used to purchase a new vehicle to transport TVS Preparation for Employment Success program teachers to multiple high schools.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Dogwood Trust in supporting our efforts to assist students in Transylvania and Henderson counties,” said TVS Program Director Carla Hill. “This grant will help in better preparing students to transition from high school to secondary education or into a career.”

This program offers services designed to aid students with disabilities, ages 14 – 22 with an IEP or a 504 plan, transition from school to career pathways. Classroom and work-based instruction and training is provided in Transylvania and Henderson County High Schools.

The TVS program, Preparation for Employment Success, is in partnership with the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) program Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and with local participating high schools. Since TVS initiated its program one year ago, it has grown to serve 140 students in seven high schools.

The goal of the program is to provide students who experience barriers to employment with skills and knowledge to attain living wage employment and to help them transition successfully from high school to post-secondary options or into the workforce.

The two TVS Pre-ETS instructors, Jessica Casey and Montana McPherson, teach job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, work-based learning experiences, counseling on post-secondary training options, and workplace readiness training.

The purchase of a new vehicle will allow TVS teachers to travel safely and reliably between the high schools.

The ION grant program from Dogwood Health Trust, has awarded more than $3.7 million to a diverse range of 259 nonprofit and government agencies over the past year. The program reaches every county and the Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina.

Dogwood Health Trust is a North Carolina Nonprofit corporation with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust became operational upon the sale of Mission Health’s assets to HCA Healthcare and is the recipient of the net proceeds of the sale.

To learn more about the Dogwood Health Trust please visit https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/

“Free Spirit” artwork returns home to TVS

Nov 18, 2019 | News

Brevard, NC (November 18, 2019) – Every year the Free Rein Gala offers an opportunity for community members to participate in a silent and live auction. This year, TVS Life Skills participants created and donated “Free Spirit,” a mixed media piece of artwork. This beautifully crafted horse painting now carries a heartwarming journey.

“Free Spirit” was inspired by the fun and freedom that Free Rein provides for the TVS participants. The horse was created with different elements that relates to the experiences. The sand is representing the dusty ground, corn as a horse snack, and the feathers representing the outdoors and the feeling of flying that is experienced while riding the horses.

Each aspect of the artwork is thoughtful and expressive. “Our TVS participants greatly look forward to Free Rein each session,” said Life Skills Supervisor Suzanne Byers. “Free Rein allows us to challenge ourselves, overcome obstacles, and meet goals that everyday life experiences might not provide us the opportunity to do.”

Click here to read the full PDF or to view the Transylvania Times article.

TVS Diaper Drive Donates 50 Pounds of Needed Items

Nov 14, 2019 | News

Last month, TVS collected a total of 628 diapers to be donated to the Sharing House. Sizes ranged from the small premature size to training pants. Size 1 diapers had the largest total donated with 348 diapers. Along with the diapers, TVS employees also collected 3 packs of wipes and 12 bars of soap. The grand total ended up weighing a whopping 50 pounds. The diaper drive was organized by TVS Training & Development Specialist Emily Owens, who on Halloween dressed up as a Pinky the Ghost from Ms. Pac-Man. She rallied TVS team members and decorated the building with flyers.