“In an odd series of events, we had actually decided to open a food resource area and onboarded our first mental health intern right before the hurricane hit,” says Amy Upham, executive director of Blue Ridge Pride.
Unstoppable: Self-care is important
“Seeing our clinicians regularly at comfort sites, in our bright teal T-shirts, helps foster a sense of trust and creates a safe space to chat or cry,” Mary Waller, development director of All Souls Counseling Center,
Unstoppable: Talk to friends and family about mental health
“There is an emotional life cycle of a disaster and many of us in our community are still in the ‘disillusionment’ stage,” says Cammy Sky Holt, communications director of Black Mountain Counseling Center.
Unstoppable: Clearing trees and developing new bonds
“We have real concerns about how the downed debris could impact the severity of wildfires,” says Lang Hornthal, co-executive director of EcoForesters. “We also know that nonnative invasive species will take advantage of this newly created growing space and will be a big problem come spring.”
Food distribution nonprofits provide post-Helene safety nets for WNC farms
Nonprofits dedicated to providing food to the community have relied on COVID-era programs and knowledge to help WNC’s farms survive the impact of Tropical Storm Helene.
Coalition takes aim at Helene-damaged homes
Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair, aka ARCHR, in collaboration with PODER Emma Community Ownership, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Community Action Opportunities and Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
Unstoppable: ‘We want to spread joy’
“For us personally, it was so heartening to hear from so many families who were worried about the safety of the Nature Center animals post-Helene,” says Kate Frost, executive director of Friends of the WNC Nature Center,
Unstoppable: Remarkable tenacity in the artists
“Providing resources to help artists stabilize is critical to reviving the cultural heart of our community,” Stephanie Moore, executive director of Center for Craft,
Unstoppable: Second act
“WNC theaters were finally getting close to pre-COVID attendance, and Helene set us all the way back,” says Rose Pillmore, board member of Asheville Theater Alliance
Unstoppable: Creative expression post-Helene
“Our staff stepped up in incredible ways, making home visits to artists and delivering essential supplies where needed,” says Debbie Harris, co-executive director of Open Hearts Art Center.
Nonprofit groups address fundraising, volunteer challenges in wake of Helene
Many local nonprofits are facing challenges as money and volunteer hours pour into groups with a more direct role in storm recovery efforts. These groups are trying to address the issue in creative ways, including reaching out to donors and volunteers outside WNC for help.
Unstoppable: Advocating for food security
“With the storm’s impact, we anticipate a significant rise in food insecurity as more families and individuals turn to us and other community resources in the coming months,” says Micah Chrisman, director of marketing and communications of MANNA FoodBank.
Smart Bets: Caverns of Gold
The compilation album — a fundraiser to support Beloved Asheville’s post-Helene relief work — features songs from 279 local, regional and international artists with connections to WNC.
Smart Bets: Lake Logan benefit concert and volunteer weekend
A weekend of music and food combines with post-Helene river and lake cleanup efforts in Haywood County.
Small towns find ways to aid businesses suffering financially after Helene
As small towns throughout Western North Carolina face an October without tourists, local nonprofits and community members are finding ways to help financially struggling businesses.
MANNA FoodBank rallies to rebuild food distribution
Despite the destruction of its East Asheville facility, Western North Carolina’s main hunger-relief hub is finding ways to serve the community. Also: updates from Equal Plates Project, WNC Food Systems Coalition, Food Connection and Asheville Independent Restaurants.
Afghan refugee reflects on new life in Asheville
Fleeing violence in their home countries, evacuees find a welcoming safety net in Asheville.
ABCCM breaks ground on Safe Haven shelter
Safe Haven will be an emergency shelter operating 24/7 and year-round with 36 beds for single women, women with children and up to two intact families.
YWCA acknowledges financial woes, closes pool
The organization cited lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, shifts in funding priorities and the need for facility repairs as reasons for the shortfall.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Rhubarb to hold wedding-vendor showcase July 21
The showcase will feature more than a dozen local vendors in the industry, including photographers, florists, musicians and stationery printers.
Building Bridges marks 30 years of equity education
The all-volunteer, antiracism organization grew from a single nine-week course back in 1993.