REAPers

Through Positive Changes Youth Ministries, adult services program the Real Estate Apprenticeship program (REAP) was formed initially to help parents who wanted to get into the real estate field but couldn't afford the associated costs of the opportunity.  The Program has since grown into a multi-partnership expansive collaboration that has successfully gotten seven (7) participants of color (POC), through the class, 3 licensed real estate agents and 4 currently testing for their license and 12 POC currently enrolled in the program.  The REAP program is now a part of the YMI Cultural Center's Economic Development program.

The purpose of the "Real Estate Apprenticeship Program" (REAP) is to remove perceived and real barriers to careers in real estate for historically marginalized populations in the Asheville area through efforts promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

With your generous support of the REAP scholarship program's 25K fundraising goal, we can bi-pass systemic exclusion of POC in the real estate field in WNC by breaking down financial barriers to entry.

The value of the REAP scholarship per participant is approximately three thousand dollars and includes everything from the cost of the prelicensing class, NCREC  application and testing fee (twice if needed), study guides, tutoring,  Board dues, MLS dues, as well as joining fees for both.

In the spirit of equity, we conquer individual barriers on a case by case basis, such as transportation, childcare, technology,  and study space.

Graduates of the program agree to "pay it forward" by mentoring new scholarship recipients as well as serving on the REAP steering committee.

Together we can change the face of real estate in beautiful Asheville, one that reflects the area we live, work, and play in.  Thank you for working with us to break down barriers and change lives!