Our mission is to strengthen community by eliminating the race-based opportunity and achievement gap for students through education.
We believe…
We believe that education is the prow of our ship and our students are our highest priority. Supporting students, kindergarten through college, means
much more than helping them get better grades.
We work with parents and schools to ensure that all students have the
stability, resource, equity, and inclusion they need to thrive and ultimately
reach their potential.
By using a “whole child” methodology, students become inspired members
of our community and break the cycle of poverty for themselves, and for generations to come.
We address…
INEQUITABLE SYSTEMS
“50% of subsidized housing residents in Asheville are African-American despite the fact that only 9.1% of the city’s population identifies as Black.”
— Asheville Citizen Times
“Black students in Asheville are facing the 5th worst achievement gap in the nation.”
— Carolina Public Press
IMPEDED ACCESS
“The stresses of poverty — such as crowded conditions, financial worry, and lack of adequate child care — lead to impaired learning ability in children from impoverished backgrounds.”
— National Institute of Health
“Students living in poverty graduate from high school at a rate 3 times less than those with no family poverty experience.”
— Annie E. Casey Foundation
LACK OF OPPORTUNITY
“Only 28% of students from the lowest income backgrounds enroll in college of any kind.”
- National Center for
Education Statistics
“Bachelor’s degree holders have lower rates of unemployment and earn nearly double what those with only a high school degree.”
— Bureau of Labor Statistics
We invest…
In Students
We support students in strengthening their academics and accessing interests outside of the classroom so they can become active and empowered adults and, one day, invest back in their communities.
In Parents
We advocate and make connections with parents so that they feel more resourced and can provide their children opportunities to prosper. Confident parents offer a strong foundation so that children can thrive.
In Communities
We build relationships and connections between individuals, families, neighborhoods, organizations, and local businesses. Equity and inclusion are the center of our work.
“These are all our children. We will profit by or pay for whatever they become.”
-James Baldwin
Want to open some doors?
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Donors are individuals that donate to OpenDoors without recognition for a business or organization.
Read more about our individual levels of giving here.
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Sponsors are businesses or organizations that donate to OpenDoors. We recognize our sponsors by name and/or logo on our website and at our events.
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Community partners are businesses and organizations that donate services and resources in-kind to OpenDoors. They also collaborate with OpenDoors to support students.