AMY Wellness Foundation and Community Foundation of Henderson County are joining forces to bring national disaster recovery support to Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties thanks to a $3 million grant from the American Red Cross. This investment brings critical resources from a national partner directly into the hands of local organizations, ensuring that families in hard-to-reach areas receive the long-term assistance they need to rebuild after Hurricane Helene.
This funding will directly kickstart the work of the Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey County Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) the local teams repairing homes, providing disaster case management, coordinating volunteer crews, and ensuring families have the support they need to fully recover from Hurricane Helene.
While the initial crisis of Hurricane Helene has passed, the road to recovery for our mountain communities is far from over. Many are living in damaged or temporary homes, in need of home access repairs, or struggling to sort out insurance claims. For these families, recovery isn’t just about repairing buildings, it’s about regaining stability, hope, and a sense of belonging. “Our neighbors have been through so much. This grant ensures we can keep sending volunteers to rebuild homes, case managers to guide families through the process, and resources to fill the gaps no one else can.” Stephanie Pitman, Executive Director of the Mitchell County Long-Term Recovery Group.
Thanks to this grant, the Long-Term Recovery Groups can stand beside families through every step, listening to their needs, helping them navigate the challenges of recovery, and working with them until their homes and lives are fully rebuilt. “We’re here until the work is done.” concluded Pitman.
“We saw firsthand how much more work was still ahead for our communities, and we knew the Long-Term Recovery Groups needed steady funding to keep rebuilding,” said Luke Howe, Executive Director of AMY Wellness Foundation. “That’s why we went after this grant and worked hard to secure it, so our LTRGs can keep helping families return to safe homes and stable lives, with the resources and coordination they need to see it through.”
McCray Benson, President and CEO of Community Foundation of Henderson County, shared, “In the wake of a disaster of this scale, no single organization can meet the need alone. We chose to partner with AMY Wellness Foundation because of their deep local relationships in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties and their proven ability to bring people and resources together. This is a collective effort across Western North Carolina, and by working together, we can ensure a more coordinated, efficient, and compassionate response for our neighbors.”
Funding will be available from June 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, and all work will be carried out in line with the Red Cross’s commitment to serve everyone with humanity, neutrality, and impartiality.
This hurricane recovery project was funded in part by a grant from the American Red Cross.
If you need recovery support please call:
Yancey County LTRG: (828) 222-4120
Mitchell County LTRG: (828) 660-0818
Avery County LTRG: support@averyltrg.org
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About AMY Wellness Foundation
AMY (Avery, Mitchell, Yancey) Wellness Foundation was established as a result of the Mission Health System sale to HCA Healthcare to ensure health and wellness was still a main priority in our area of western North Carolina. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of the residents of Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties by partnering with local nonprofits, fostering connections among services, and supporting programs that make our communities a healthier place.
For more information please visit https://amywellnessfoundation.org/
About Community Foundation of Henderson County
Since 1982, the Community Foundation of Henderson County has been helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. Through personalized philanthropic services, stewardship of charitable assets, and strategic community leadership, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations and the people they serve across Henderson County and beyond. Learn more about Community Foundation of Henderson County at www.cfhcforever.org, or by calling (828) 697-6224.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on social media.
