Careers in Aging Week Explores Opportunities at Givens Communities
March 26 to April 1 is Careers in Aging Week, observed by businesses, clinics, organizations, schools, healthcare providers and others to bring greater awareness and visibility to the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of senior living. Givens Communities, a national leader in efforts to expand possibilities for aging, is taking part in Careers in […]
Honorary Lifetime Givens Board Member Garners Historic Award
Al Whitesides, an Honorary Lifetime Board Member of Givens Communities, is among the first four recipients of the John Lewis Award, presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and the Buncombe County Community Outreach Providing Empowerment Committee. “Givens Communities has been fortunate to be among the many who benefit from the […]
‘Earn While You Learn’ Nurse Aide Program Offered
Givens Communities is now offering a 10-week Nurse Aide training program, with the motto “Earn While You Learn.” This unique program is designed to support staffing for Givens Communities and create a direct pathway from training to career for team members. In a dual-role position, trainees will take the N.C. Nurse Aide I curriculum with all tuition, […]
WLOS reports on historic mill in Marion purchased by Givens
(WLOS) — A nonprofit organization has purchased a historic mill in McDowell County with the intention of turning it into affordable housing. A press release from Givens Communities says the Asheville non-profit purchased the Clinchfield Mill, located at 56 Branch Street in Marion, North Carolina on Dec. 21, 2022 after receiving a $3 million grant […]
2022 Address and Annual Report
Please click to read our 2022 Address and Annual Report, presented by Board Chairperson, G. Edward Towson, II.
Supporting the Endowment Fund: How John Nieberg Gives Back

John Nieburg, known for his award-winning woodcarving creations, created three endowments at Givens Estates. Some proceeds from his gift will support the Givens woodworking and woodcarving programs. An avid carpenter, John shares his passion for woodcarving with other residents and can be counted on to tell a good story while whittling character marks in basswood. […]
Kindness & Compassion: The Doris Edwards Autrey Divelbiss Fund

Ralph and Doris Loomis created the Doris Edwards Autrey Divelbiss Fund in 1996, inspired by the kindness and compassion Doris’ grandmother received during her stay in the Givens Estates Health Center. Following in the footsteps of her grandmother’s civic leadership, Doris Loomis has been an active member of Givens since 1981 and gracefully and diligently […]
Generosity Blooms: The Residence Assistance Ministry

Gene Parks came of age during the Great Depression with parents who purchased a Texas citrus farm to “keep the wolf from the door.” Gene often talked of watching his father help others, including delivering a truckload of citrus to the Methodist home for unwed mothers in San Antonio each Christmas. This generosity was conspicuous […]
Making an Impact in the Community

Though Givens Communities owns and operates two successful Life Plan Communities, we recognized the great, but often overlooked, need for housing, support, and services for low- and middle-income seniors in the Asheville area. This recognition evolved into action and launched plans to create Givens Gerber Park. In 2016, the Duke Endowment awarded Givens Communities with […]
Sallie and Naomi Kale: First Residents Continue to Inspire the Givens Mission

Givens’ first residents, Naomi and Sallie Kale, were twins who moved to Givens in May, 1979. The Kale sisters had worked in the mills of Gastonia, NC, all their lives. They dutifully cared for their parents and grandparents and worked through vacations to earn enough to tithe to their church. Despite years of hard work, […]