Ashera Project : About Ashera Project

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Ashera Project do?

Ashera Project provides comprehensive youth development programming. Groups of 8-10 high school students meet once a week during the school day with a group facilitator/health educator to discuss issues surrounding positive self-esteem and healthy sexuality, community service, and opportunities beyond high school.

What are Ashera's long-term goals?

Ashera Project’s goal is to have four years of programming in three of Austin’s high schools. Once full programming is in place about 100-120 students each year will receive services. Ashera intends to remain small, allowing group facilitators to develop personal, trusting relationships with the students they work with.

Where does the organization’s name come from?

Ashera Project is named for a Canaanite Goddess known as Asherah who has been characterized as helping people achieve their goals and dreams. Asherah is also seen as a symbol of moral strength, offering to lend support and insight when people are faced with inequality or overwhelming odds. Her "Tree of Knowledge" bore fruit not only to feed the body, but also to nourish the spirit.

Back in the day when the most common way to lose a mother, sister, or daughter was in childbirth, tribal women looked to the goddess Ashera when they needed reproductive good fortune for the literal survival of their families. In Ashera's lore were the wise ways passed from generation to generation, just as it is our aim to provide our community's youth with lessons for a better life. We pronounce it "a-share-a".

How do students join Ashera?

Ashera is a voluntary program. Students are referred to Ashera by school or community counselors, general program recruitment such as group announcements and posted flyers within the school, and by group members referring their friends.

What can I do to help?

Consider donating your time, resources and talents to Ashera by volunteering or becoming a board member.

Make a donation to support Ashera’s youth development programming.

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