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Women’s Fund Awards $1,000 Grant to Two Rivers for ‘She Hikes Alone’ Program

The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge awarded Two Rivers Community School a $1,000 grant earlier this week. The grant will fund She Hikes Alone, a sub-program of the school’s Mountain Adventure Program, which works with middle school girls creating safe spaces to share stories, ideas, concerns, hopes and dreams. It will include a solo hiking experience as well.

The Mountain Adventure Program is a core experience for Two Rivers’ students where the school partners with Buffalo Cove Educational Outdoor Center to deliver hands-on, experiential, outdoor education. The program’s curriculum is linked to the Common Core Standards providing an additional platform for students to learn. She Hikes Alone is an experience exclusive to middle school girls attending the program.

She Hikes Alone grew organically through Buffalo Cove’s female instructors connecting with female students by providing solicited advice and a safe space for students to ask questions. It’s critical that students feel comfortable during this program in order to grow emotionally, mentally, and intellectually. The partnership with the Women’s Fund is a major step forward for Two Rivers boding well for the future of the school’s female students and the Mountain Adventure Program.

“We’re excited about the grant and the newfound relationship with the Women’s Fund” says Ryan Robinson, the Two Rivers’ Development Director. He goes on, “By partnering with the Women’s Fund we know our programming is essential and necessary in our community’s female population. It reassures that Two Rivers is providing the most innovative and progressive curriculum-based programing in Watauga County.”

Karen Sabo, Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge Executive Director, adds, “Two Rivers has such a positive influence on our community, and has helped develop so many great young people.  We’re proud to support their She Hikes Alone program, and to help get girls out in nature as part of their personal growth and health.”

The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge seeks to create positive change and economic justice for women and girls in local counties. Through funding to local non-profit agencies like Two Rivers School, the Women’s Fund acts as a philanthropic catalyst for all women and girls to have access to the resources they need as they strive to become empowered and reach their full potential.

Local non-profits that have programs exclusively for women or girls may apply for grants with the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge. Organizations that have not received a grant from The Women’s Fund previously must turn in a letter of intent by July 1, 2017. Those invited to apply for grants can access the application on the Women’s Fund website, and submit their applications by August 1, 2017. Agencies may apply for up to $10,000. Interested parties will find more information at www.womensfundoftheblueridge.org.

Founded in 2005, Two Rivers Community School is a North Carolina Green School of Quality serving grades K-8. It is a tuition-free public-charter school located in Boone, NC under the leadership of a Board of Directors made up of local community members. The Two Rivers curriculum challenges students with dynamic learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Academics are at the core of every opportunity provided with the expectation that students grow in both character and intellect during their time at Two Rivers. This year the school’s enrollment is 175 students with space still available. If you would like to learn more about Two Rivers Community School, please contact Beth Vossen at 828-262-5411 or email at bethv@trcsboone.org.