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I took a leap of faith when I started this new journey.
​Oftentimes, Brevard, NC seems to run on grants and volunteers. This rings true for my non-profit as well. When the pandemic hit our county and schools switched to virtual learning, I was working at a non-profit helping survivors of domestic violence. But I felt compelled to help at a deeper level. When I heard that the Internet in rural parts of the county is really patchy, and not even available for some, I realized that’s it! I could help others in our county. Having bad internet at home was easier to deal with pre-pandemic. Transylvania County has an amazing public library, usually only has a few snow days per year, where school-aged children are expected to attend virtually, and those who worked from “home” could hang out at a local coffee shop if they wanted. Suddenly, with businesses closing, not having in- person dining and the library available thrust the issue of internet access to the foreground. I knew that I wanted to help. I created my mission statement of “Connecting the rural community of Transylvania County through technology”, but I still had my doubts. I attended a board meeting for Pisgah Collective. They are a local, private preschool and have recently gained their non-profit status. They are excited to use their new status to offer their program to more families. I pitched my idea and the name “Through the Trees” to Julia, Caroline and Kristine. They were very supportive and lit up with the name. About a week later, I met with Julia again, and she was even more forceful in her support. She said that the need is immediate, so now is the time to start a non-profit. That was the last nudge that I needed to take the leap.
Thanks to board member Marie Jones we had our application written and submitted on time. Marie has a wealth of knowledge and is very experienced in professional writing for research and grants. She has helped me organize our data and present it in a way that is very clear for our grantors. I look forward to collaborating on future grants and fundraising campaigns with Marie. I feel so lucky to have her on our team. ​ 
My other board member, Tracy Bodenhamer, was on a much deserved vacation recently with her husband. During her time off she not only got an impulse tattoo, but she surprised me with hiring Creative Collective Branding to have a logo created for our non-profit. Here’s her Facebook post about how she got another tattoo. Tracy really keeps me laughing.
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I am so excited that we are working with the very talented Carly Callahan of Creative Collective Branding. Fun fact: she used to be my cubicle neighbor at our past jobs at SAFE Inc. Her space was always so nice, and mine at times would just be overrun with paperwork. I would be at a loss as to how to organize it in between helping victims of domestic violence. She staged an intervention and we (who am I kidding, she) rolled up her sleeves and organized my workspace. Papers got hole punched and sorted into binders that were decorated on the edge with her beautiful handwriting. After she got me all sorted out, I would proudly show her how I was keeping it up. She’s amazing, and I’m happy to say that my desk never got out of control again.
​Our social media presence and engagement strategy is coming together with the help of Corey Gafnea. I am so thankful that she is going to UNC and eager to practice what she is learning with our non-profit. I enjoy staying connected with people on Facebook, and I like scrolling through pictures on Instagram, but when it comes to advertising our services and spreading awareness, I realize that I’m in unfamiliar territory. I am so thankful that I can call Corey and meet weekly to strategize how to engage online. She’s created images for us to post and really has her finger on the pulse.
​ When I first started the non-profit I felt that I didn’t know which paperwork to start first. Open a bank account? Wait, no, I need an EIN number… How do I become a non-profit? Should I file with the state or federal government first? I reached back out to Caroline Chambers, and she was so kind as to give me a check list. I have referred to that list so many times since to make sure that I am on track, and I know that I wouldn’t be as far as I am now without her guidance. I thrive with encouragement. Caroline, “cat herder extraordinaire”, I am so blessed that you have a talent and passion for encouraging people to reach their fullest potential. 
​Would you believe with all these amazing volunteers I also am friends with a fabulous poet who is also an editor? Alyse and I became friends shortly after her moving to town to come work at Brevard College. We have a shared love for wine, snacks and series. We bonded over the last season of Game of Thrones and met throughout the pandemic weekly for my “Whatever Wednesdays” where I get out of the house to do something for myself with girlfriends no matter what I have going on. At the beginning of the pandemic it looked more like me Zooming from my basement so that I still got “away”. I am so glad to have gotten to know her fabulous baking self and I am so thankful that she’s happy to look over my pieces that I submit to the local newspaper and post online. Here’s a picture of Alyse with her recently published book of poetry:
Finally, I need to give a big shout out to my husband, James. He believes in me and my vision and has always been into technology and fixing things. He has been working full time at Brevard College through the pandemic. At first, he stayed at home with all four kids, then went back to campus, and during the past six weeks he took on a second job working for the Census. That’s enough to make most people tired and ready to put their feet up at the end of the night, but not James. He has built my website, helped me publish my blogs, and, with our daughter Alora, created this really cool video that shares our vision. We used it while applying to our first grant and are excited to continue sharing it to spread awareness.
​Collaboration in the county is already off to a great start. Through the Trees is Zooming weekly with the incredible ladies of Smart Start, The Family Place, The Transylvania Public Library, and Land of Sky. During this “tech meetings” we are working to spread internet access to parts of the county without it. We are coordinating grants to make sure that we aren’t duplicating services.
If I were starting this non-profit all on my own, I wouldn’t be successful. I know that I’m on the right path to helping the community of Transylvania County connect through technology because of my great team.
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Yvette Brooks is the executive director of Through the Trees.
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