United Way of Asheville and Buncombe took one Friday to travel across Buncombe County and speak to people and organizations who are working in their neighborhoods to ensure that every person and family is supported in the way that is needed. Every person in our community had a role in the recovery of Western North Carolina, and at UWABC, we are looking toward long-term recovery in a hopeful, community-centric way.  Aisha Shepherd, Jen Buell, and Brenna Pepke (myself) drove from Sandy Mush to Big Ivy, to the Edington Center, and Swannanoa to Beloved. 

As we traversed county backroads in the United Way van there was an extremely diverse range of devastation and community efforts of people working together to use what they had and be innovative with gathering resources. Each community was unique, and each response was different in its own way. Individuals stepped up and joined in collective efforts to help Buncombe County.

Under Phillip Cooper's leadership, the Edington Center showed us what a true community looks like. Here, we found a beautiful operation where the volunteers and workforce are the very community they serve. The scene was alive with activity – children's laughter mixing with elders' wisdom, parents carefully selecting needed items, and volunteers creating an atmosphere of dignity and respect. The center hummed with the energy of mutual aid and genuine care.

At Beloved, we discovered a place of acceptance and a warehouse open for all in the community. Their open doors welcomed all, creating a space where barriers dissolved, and the community flourished. The invitation to join their community acupuncture tent spoke volumes about their holistic approach to recovery – healing not just bodies but spirits. Here, organizational leaders didn't just serve their community; they were beloved members of it, and their dedication was matched only by the gratitude of those they helped.