Community Engagement: Our Mission
The Community Engagement Department focuses on designing, mobilizing, and providing resource and services that effectively address the interest and priorities of children and families, and of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The activities of Community Engagement will compliment, enhance, and expand what the Enola Group does through collaborations within our organization and with community partners.
Community Engagement Activities
- Buster Bus [Mobile classroom serving Hilderbran and the surrounding community.]
- The Three Rs [Recruitment, Retention and Reinforcement of the Early Childhood Education Workforce program.]
- Burleson House [Home to a variety of programs and activities for the public with a special focus on accessibility for the populations we serve.]
Additional information on each program can be found below.
Buster Bus
Buster Bus is a mobile classroom serving the Hildebran and surrounding areas. The Bus was refurbished and serves as a classroom for children (birth through age 5 years) and their families. An Early Childhood Education teacher leads planned activities to support early childhood learning and parenting support.
Buster Bus is located in the Hildebran Town Hall parking lot – 109 S. Center St.
To register, please call 828-475-0107
The Three Rs – Recruitment, Retention and Reinforcement
The Dogwood Health Trust-funded project addresses ways to increase the number of diverse, qualified, and effective early childhood educators through practice-based coaching, college instruction, and relationship-building.
Recruitment.
We offer high school and college students support through unique paid experience that supplement academic instruction received in the Western Piedmont Community College Early Childhood Education (WPCC ECE) department, creating a stream of qualified ECE candidates.
Retention.
WPCC’s Recruitment and Retention Specialist focuses on retaining students while The Enola Group’s Early Childhood Educator Coach uses Practice-Based Coaching to support our ECEs in the field of early childhood education.
Reinforcement.
We help reinforce effective teaching practices through Practice-Based Coaching. Our project will support center directors by coordinating and paying for students as teacher’s aides, providing information about coaching targets, guiding discussions about equity with peers, and providing a financial incentive for materials.
Community Engagement.
The Burleson House
In January 2023, we took an exciting step forward by acquiring the historic Burleson House (built in 1891) to house our Community Engagement Department and further connect our programs with the local community.
Each program offered at the Burleson House is designed to reflect our vision that all people will achieve success and well-being.
The Burleson House will serve as an inclusive work site where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to gain valuable job skills.
Once fully operational, The Burleson House will provide a variety of programs and activities for the public with a special focus on accessibility for the populations we serve. These will include:
Outdoor Classes & Events in the beautifully landscaped grounds
Pottery Classes & Art Sales
Glaze-Your-Own Studio
Drop-in Childcare in a High-Quality Environment
A Tea House offering regular service as well as tea for community groups
A Children’s Music Garden serving as a tranquil space tailored for families with young children (ages birth to five) to engage the senses through nature-based instruments, fragrant plants, and comfortable seating areas, offering a peaceful retreat for all.
For more information about Community Engagement and activities contact:
Nancy Wood, Community Engagement Director
828-475-0107 ext. 456
[email protected]