Avery Learning Center, Inc. (CWA) is an educational nonprofit organization. CWA strives to enhance the state of marginalized communities by equipping, empowering, and energizing the next generation of socially conscious leaders. We obtain our vision by providing academic, social, cultural, spiritual, and civic development to disadvantaged families in Western North Carolina through afterschool and summer programming. It is our aim to be the model organization that aids in family-life development. CWA is named after the late Mrs. Christine Watson Avery. Christine Avery served the Asheville community for over 50 years as an elementary and special education school teacher in Asheville City School, a pastor’s wife, and as the Christian Education Director at the Hill Street Baptist Church. She is one of the founders of the Hill Street Daycare Center, Asheville’s oldest and only Black-owned daycare facility still in operation. Christine Avery believed that every person was special in their own way and deserving of love and care. Her message to everyone was to say and believe that, “I Am Lovable And Capable.”
As an activist and educator, Christine Avery served alongside her husband, the late Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery, Sr., to champion discrimination in educational and employment practices. Dr. and Mrs. Avery were successful in integrating Asheville City School Systems and the local Winn Dixie, developing the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Asheville, as well as creating the Asheville Student Commission on Racial Equality (ASCORE). Committed to the community and the youth, Christine Avery dedicated her life to serving others. CWA was founded to continue their legacy by supporting and uplifting the Black community of Asheville North Carolina through educational enrichment and family-life development. CWA specializes in providing innovative programming that addresses the academic, social, cultural, spiritual, and civic development for youth ages 2 – 16 years old. We incorporate innovation by incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) enrichment in our programming. We challenge and address social issues by incorporating the youth’s family, culture, and community into their development and learning.
