Save the Date for GO's 2018 Graduation Ceremony

Go logo with graduation cap
Join us on Thursday, November 8th at 5:30 at the Arthur R. Edington Education & Career Center to celebrate the accomplishments of our 2017-18 training program graduates! 

We'll acknowledge all students who completed the Kitchen Ready, Southside Construction, YouthBuild and Ready to Work training programs during the past year, as well as those students who earned their GED ®  or achieved other important personal or professional goals. 

Help get the word out about graduation by sharing our event on Facebook.  

GO Students: Did you complete a GO training program between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018? If so, please reach out to your GO case manager ASAP to sign-up to participate in the GO Graduation Ceremony on November 8th. 
Student Spotlight: Greg Lynch, Carpenter @ Mission

GO construction program graduate Greg in woodshop

Since January, Greg's been working full-time as a carpenter for Brasfield & Gorrie  on the new  Mission Hospital  project, where he's earning a living wage. Greg graduated from GO's construction training program in 2016. Asked what he'd like to share about his training and work experience, he said, "If I can do it, you can do it." Keep up the great work, Greg!
Seats Still Left in GO's Fall 2018 YouthBuild Training Program for Out-of-School Youth

A YouthBuild student practices measurements
YouthBuild participant Kymadree Ruff works with instructor Eric Howell in the wood shop.  

Are you out of school? Need a job, training, or GED®? 
Apply for GO's YouthBuild training program for out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24. YouthBuild students will:
  • Study for their GED®
  • Earn nationally-recognized certifications (OSHA, CPR/First-Aid)
  • Participate in on-the-job training
  • Learn carpentry & construction skills
  • Gain career-readiness skills, like teamwork, communication, leadership, and professionalism
  • Earn a stipend to help meet their living expenses while participating in the training program
APPLY: Fill out a  short online application  or call Eric at (828) 398-4158 x118. 
GO Chefs Amir and Amber show off their prizes at the FRS Open House
GO Kitchen Ready Chefs Take First Prize in Two Categories at FRS Open House

Two Kitchen Ready staffers earned bragging rights this month at the FRS Open House. Chefs Amber Whitt and Amir Al Khaiat competed against other American Culinary Foundation Members at the event. Chef Amber, a Kitchen Ready instructor, won first prize in the "mystery basket" entree event, after turning No Evil Foods Comrade Cluck "plant meat", pumpkin baby food, greens, apple cider and a rutabaga into her take on a Korean BBQ sandwich. Chef Amber took home an induction range valued at over $1,000 for her prize. Kitchen Ready case manager Chef Amir Al Khaiat also made a strong showing, winning first place in the garde manger knife skills competition and taking home a Japanese chef's knife as his prize.

Green Building Director cover
GO's YouthBuild program featured in 2018-19 Green Building Directory

Green Opportunities is a proud member of the Green Building Alliance and excited to be featured in the new edition of their annual Green Building Directory. Check out our article on p. 40-41  to learn more about our YouthBuild training program for out-of-school youth. Want to refer a young adult to YouthBuild? Email Eric Howell at Eric@greenopportunities.org.



GO Selected as Small Business of the Month by Asheville Chamber

Green Opportunities has been recognized as Small Business of the Month for September 2018 by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. As part of this recognition, the Chamber showcased GO's job training & social enterprise work on their blog.  Click here to read their post


GO Recognized by Mountain Area Workforce Development Board

This month, MAWD recognized Green Opportunities for our pre-apprenticeship program at the Mountain Area Apprenticeship Program 2018 Recognition Event. GO's construction program has been a North Carolina registered pre-apprenticeship since 2016. 




Fall Homework Diner Series Begins this Week

Green Opportunities prepares meals for Homework Diner program

We're celebrating the kick off of the Fall Homework Diner program this week by sharing our new Homework Diner video! Homework Diners are held weekly at Erwin, Asheville, Enka and Owen Middle Schools. Did you know that over 50% of students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches at these local schools?

GO proudly partners with the United Way, Asheville City Schools, and Buncombe County Schools to alleviate hunger for school children and their families, while providing hands-on culinary training to adult job seekers through our Kitchen Ready program.  Each week, Homework Diners provide Buncombe County families with free homework help plus a  hot, healthy free dinner prepared by the  GO Download a HW Diner flyer for details.
Welcome new staff members!

You may have noticed some new faces at GO in the last several weeks. Please join us in officially welcoming several new people to our team. 

Heavenly Jackson joined our leadership team in August as our Development Director. Please reach out to Heavenly to take a tour of the Edington Center, schedule a guest speaker, or learn more about GO's training programs. Heavenly can be reached at hjackson@greenopportunities.org or (828) 398-4158 x109. 

Davis Jones recently came on board as our YouthBuild Instructor, Ernest "PeeWee" Robbs (a GO Graduate) is our Construction Trades Assistant, and Yashika Smith is our YouthBuild Job Developer. Our 2018-19 Hands & Feet of Asheville Young Adult Volunteer is Erin Tolar, who is serving as YouthBuild Case Manager.  We've got a new face in the kitchen as well, with Hayette Bouras joining the staff as our Catering Chef. 

We're excited about the breadth of experience and energy these folks are already bringing to their work at GO. Visit our staff page for contact info
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For 10 years, Green Opportunities has created sustainable employment pathways for hundreds of youth and adults from marginalized communities. You can help us continue this critical work by making a financial contribution.