For immediate help, call or text 988
VOS COMMUNITY ADVISORS
Rik Emaus, TC STRONG
Beth Ford, TC STRONG
Kristen Gentry, CARE Coalition
Sarah Hankey, SparkPoint
Jermois Morris, CARE Coalition
Celia Richmond, CARE Coalition
Tara Rybka, Transylvania Public Health
Charlotte Shackleford, SparkPoint
What is “VOS” (Voice of the Students)?
A student-led, adult-guided group that provides a platform for students to feel heard and empowered.
A forum to discuss and advocate for issues that most directly influence youth mental health and wellbeing.
An opportunity to build skills including group leadership, project implementation, and mental health support.
A place to create connections for students both within schools and across the whole community.
VOS On-Campus consists of chapters hosted by middle and high schools and youth-serving organizations, which meet during the school day and after school and uniquely reflect the culture of the host organization. Host organizations are asked to provide a meeting location and time, and identify a VOS Faculty Advisor to serve as the on-campus primary point of contact for students and liaison with school administration and school-based resources. Each chapter has a designated VOS Community Advisor to provide access to community resources and general support of chapter activities.
Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, VOS will begin holding VOS Community-Wide to bring students together from across Transylvania County. These meetings, hosted by VOS sponsor organizations, will be held outside of school hours and are open to all middle and high school students, whether or not they are members of a school-based chapter.
Students design and implement VOS Impact Projects that respond to significant youth mental health and wellness concerns with committed resource investment from VOS community partners.
VOS students work together to find solutions that help themselves and their friends be healthy, happy, and productive, with the support of peers, families, schools, and community organizations.
SUPPORTED BY
