In the two years since Helene, our community has made tremendous strides toward recovery, and there's still so much to be done; in many ways, the needs continue to grow.
The Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group (BCLTRG) is dedicated to ensuring that individuals and families receive the support they need to rebuild and thrive. Today, United Way is proud to support this effort as both a fiscal sponsor and staffing partner.
We love a full-circle moment, when life leads you back to a place you've been before, but somehow everything and nothing has changed.
That's what it felt like returning to Big Ivy on Sept. 17, 2026, nearly two years after Hurricane Helene If you're not familiar, UWABC has spent a lot of time in Big Ivy since the storm. The destruction throughout the valley was fierce, and the community quickly became a place where UWABC partnered alongside neighbors, organizations, and local leaders as relief efforts grew into long-term recovery.
Some moments remind us of the true power of Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and the volunteer stories that have emerged from Hurricane Helene recovery remain some of the most poignant.
As we enter the 2026–27 school year, we want to take a moment to look back at what happened inside our Community Schools last year—and, perhaps more importantly, what the data tells us about the work.
UWABC isn’t simply participating in the Community Schools movement—we have more than a decade of experience building, coordinating, learning from, and improving this model in our community. With nine Community Schools spanning Buncombe County, the strategy connects students and families with the people, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.
From ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — As families brace for higher costs this back-to-school season, a major school supply drive is helping thousands of students start the year prepared while saving Buncombe County families an estimated $275,000 in education-related costs.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Hundreds of people filled Pack Square Park on Friday night as Buncombe County youth, families, neighbors and community partners gathered for the fourth annual United for Youth Block Party.
Creating opportunities for young people is central to UWABC's mission—and that commitment extends beyond our programs and into our workplace.