Community Resiliency

Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow.

We are working to ensure individuals and communities have access to disaster relief and recovery, emergency preparedness, crisis hotline and support, and environmental stewardship and sustainability.

At High Country United Way, we believe that a strong community starts with ensuring everyone has access to life’s basic needs. That’s why we partner with organizations to provide essential services, including access to food, safe shelter, assistance with rent, mortgage, and utility payments, and support in overcoming immediate barriers to safety or employment. But meeting basic needs is just the beginning—we also work alongside our neighbors to build resilient communities that are connected, supportive, and prepared to face any challenge. View below to see our basic needs funded partners or explore our Get Help and Our Impact pages to learn more about our direct services.

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High Country United Way brings communities together to find strength and share hope. It’s the way we rally in hard times to meet people’s needs so they can rise back up and build a better future.

 

Launched on October 1, 2024 and just days after the storm, the Helene Rapid Response Fund fund was created to quickly support recovery efforts across our region. Phase 1 funding was distributed within two weeks after the storm, and Phase 2 concluded on June 30, 2025.  We are honored to support these trusted community partners for their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to Helene recovery. To donate to the Helene Rapid Response Fund, click to donate. 

 

The following trusted partners were granted funding from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Helene Rapid Response Fund:

Appalachian Disaster Coalition

Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (SPROUT)

Ashe Advantage Project

Avery County Habitat for Humanity

Back 2 School Festival – Watauga

Bald Creek Relief

Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission Inc.

Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development

Casting Bread, Free Market, and Cafe

Egypt & Ramseytown Volunteer Fire Department

Elk River Helping Hands (Fiscal Agent – Bridges for Avery)

Feeding Avery Families

Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders, Inc.

GLAD (Greater Lansing Area Development)

Green Valley Volunteer Fire Department

Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina

Lansing Volunteer Fire Department

Lansing's Bridge to Recovery

Mitchell County Long-Term Recovery Group

Mitchell County Long-Term Recovery Group – Unmet Needs

Mitchell County Shepherd's Staff

Musicians Mission of Mercy

Partners Aligned Toward Health (PATH)

RISE Disaster Relief & Recovery Inc.

Septic Wastewater Solutions

Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department 

W.A.M.Y. Community Action

Watauga County Housing Council

Watauga County Long-Term Recovery Group – Unmet Needs Case Management

Western Youth Network

Yancey County Long-Term Recovery Group – Unmet Needs

 

Please check back for updates regarding the opening date of Phase 3 of the Helene Rapid Response Fund.