The Eblen Center for Social Enterprise is designed to bring together the best practices of the public and private sectors in establishing programs and outreach to better serve and enhance our community. Breaking away from the traditional molds, ideas, and methods of conventional nonprofit organizations, the Center for Social Enterprise establishes partnerships with companies and organizations to create programs to continue to serve the increasing number of children, adults, and families seeking assistance in times of need that they may not be able to obtain elsewhere. The Eblen Center for Social Enterprise looks to the forefront of a new generation of nonprofit organizations, ideas, and the new frontier of service that goes beyond the boundaries of established means and thought.
Building Future Builders: Created by Joe Kimmel, founder of Kimmel and Associates, Building Future Builders provides a unique opportunity for area students who may not be looking for the traditional path of high school or college and have an interest in pursuing a career in the field of construction management. Building Future Builders reaches every aspect of education by providing and enhancing opportunities for future generations of construction professionals and helps answer a vital need for the construction industry as it gives students an exciting new educational means to multiply career possibilities in a dynamic industry.
The Graduation Initiative: The Graduation Initiative is a unique partnership that brings together the Buncombe County School System, Buncombe County, and the Center for Social Enterprise to reach out to students in Buncombe County who may be at risk of leaving school before graduation. Building on the successes of programs already established in the Buncombe County School System and forging new and innovative strategies and partnerships, the Graduation Initiative looks to a new frontier of ideas and methods to increase the number of students graduating from high school and ensuring a greater possibility of success in the future truly showing them that there are no limits.
Walnut Cove Men’s Association Community Outreach: This self directed fund helps provide funding for smaller grass-roots nonprofit organizations that have an important impact in our community without the benefit of a large staff or budget. Looking to reach out beyond the gates of Walnut Cove, the Walnut Cove Men’s Association Community Outreach presents grants to organizations in the field of the arts, environment, children’s needs, homelessness, and hunger.
Walnut Cove Women’s Association Community Outreach: Much as their male counterparts, the Walnut Cove Women’s Association Community Outreach reaches out to the community to provide financial assistance for local projects and initiatives that impact the lives of children and their families in western North Carolina. Reaching out beyond their south Asheville location, the Walnut Cove Women’s Association Community Outreach program has quickly become a positive force for reaching those in times of need.
The Dark Horse Project: The Dark Horse Project offers new opportunities for the Center for Social Enterprise to look at new ventures, ideas, and partnerships to enhance and better serve our community. These new projects will encompass a wide variety of projects and offer a platform for innovative ideas to improve the lives of those we touch. The Dark Horse Project brings together original thoughts and endeavors that may not see the light of day due to the lack of a vehicle to provide the pieces needed to put their ideas into motion. The Eblen Center for Social Enterprise was founded on the principle of looking beyond traditional thoughts and methods in addressing issues and challenges in the community by bringing together partnerships from the public and private sectors to move forward together in providing services to those in need in our community. Dark Horse exemplifies the heart of the Center for Social Enterprise and the “Power of Ideas” that it seeks to bring together. The Dark Horse Project is open to anyone who would like to contact us with any ideas or thoughts on programs or partnerships that can improve the lives of those in western North Carolina.
The Andrew Institute for Leadership and Public Service: Providing access to the top business and thought leaders as well as bestselling authors, the Andrew Institute for Leadership and Public Service brings to western North Carolina corporate training and motivational leadership that has been seen across the world. Founded by respected businessman and community leader, Dewy Andrew, the Andrew Institute for Leadership and Public Service offers to the public and private sectors alike the opportunity to participate in cutting edge career development from the world’s most recognized experts from the areas of business, entertainment, and sports. In an exclusive partnership with the Global Executive Learning Network, and Lessons in Leadership, the Andrew Institute for Leadership and Public Service will be bringing to our community via live broadcasts and live events such as bestselling authors such as Dr. Stephen R. Covey, John C. Maxwell and Ken Blanchard – thought leaders Marcus Buckingham, Malcolm Gladwell, and Jim Collins and real world practitioners Frances Hesselbein, Jack Welch, and Larry Bossidy. Special subject specific programs are also offered such as Branding for Power and other programs being offered online. As part of the Center for Social Enterprise, the Andrew Institute for Leadership and Public Service will donate all proceeds from all events to the direct outreach of the Eblen Charities.
The Brad Daugherty Foundation: Created by NBA All-Star, NASCAR analyst, and Swannanoa native Brad Daugherty in effort to reach out and serve our community and touch the lives of those in need across the world, the Brad Daugherty Foundation offers unique perspectives and programs to address issues that effect the less fortunate by seeking and combining resources to provide relief, help, and solutions. In partnership with the Center for Social Enterprise, the Brad Daugherty Foundation is bringing together the world of business, sports, and the public sector in looking for innovative and direct support to issues that effect western North Carolina and other parts of the globe. Through his programs such as the Great Turkey Giveaway or the Inner City Gun Buy Back Program or heading up the Beyond All Boarders Global Initiative, Brad and the Brad Daugherty Foundation brings welcome help to families that many have forgotten.
