Asheville Residents Rally for Recovery Post-Helene
Asheville, a city known for its vibrant culture and breathtaking mountain views, is now facing an enormous challenge following the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. In response to the widespread difficulties experienced by the community, the Dogwood Health Trust has stepped up with an impressive additional commitment of $20 million in relief efforts, pushing their total funding for Helene recovery to over $70 million. This news brings a ray of hope to a region grappling with the impacts of the storm.
Investing in Community Resilience
The latest funding announcement, made public on December 19, outlines plans to bolster both short-term relief and long-term recovery efforts throughout Western North Carolina (WNC). One of the priority areas will be supporting small businesses, which are often described as the heart and soul of the community.
“We are continuing to prioritize support for the things that drive health for our region,” expressed Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. With the combined investments focusing on aiding small businesses, as well as early childhood education and community behavioral health services, 2024 is shaping up to be a significant year for local recovery, with a staggering total of more than $200 million earmarked for the region.
Helping Small Businesses Bounce Back
This commitment is especially crucial as many local businesses are still recovering from the immediate fallout of Helene. In October, Dogwood paved the way with a leading grant of $10 million to kickstart the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative, which is having a significant impact already. Over 3,000 small local businesses have applied for assistance, and to date, 322 grants totaling over $6.8 million have been distributed.
“Before Helene hit, North Carolina had about 45,000 active small businesses,” Dr. Mims highlighted. “Now, it’s vital for us to support those who have suffered, especially the nearly 22,000 very small businesses located in impacted census tracks.”
Support for Education and Mental Health
As communities begin to rebuild, the focus on education remains strong. Dogwood has committed more than $3.5 million to stabilize and support the early childhood education workforce. This funding will go to all eight local Smart Start partnerships to ensure providers can retain their teachers and recover from financial losses incurred during the storm.
Moreover, with the heightened need for mental and behavioral health services post-storm, All Souls Counseling Center is set to benefit from a $300,000 grant aimed at expanding mental health support for those affected by the storm’s aftermath. In addition, a generous $500,000 will go to Vecinos for the opening of a new clinic, crucial for improving access to mental health care.
Addressing Housing Needs
Housing instability is another pressing concern in the wake of Helene. The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County will receive an equally important $500,000 to manage immediate rent relief efforts. Looking further ahead, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill will receive over $150,000 to enhance access to affordable housing opportunities through its Carolina Across 100 initiative.
In recognizing the tireless efforts of local organizations, Dogwood has also established a “Care” grant program, worth $12,500 each, accessible to active partner organizations. This will allow them to support and appreciate their staff who have gone above and beyond following Helene’s impact.
A Looking Ahead
The journey to recovery will be long and challenging for Asheville and many parts of WNC, but with committed efforts like those from the Dogwood Health Trust, there is hope on the horizon. As the community comes together to heal and rebuild, everyone is reminded that they are part of a collective effort to regain their footing and emerge even stronger than before.
For those interested in more information about the ongoing relief initiatives, the Dogwood Health Trust’s website provides a wealth of resources and updates.
