OUR AIM

We are working together across Western North Carolina (WNC) to recover from Tropical Storm Helene by supporting: emotional healing and community well-being, accessible civic engagement, and trust-based, cross-sector collaboration. Our focus is on weaving the social infrastructure and relational fabric to help achieve long-term recovery efforts focused on rebuilding physical infrastructure, restoring natural landscapes and watersheds, and regenerating local economies.

CORE STRATEGIES

We do this by:

  1. Supporting Emotional Healing

  2. Involving the Community in Decisions

  3. Building Trust and Strong Connections

  4. Supporting Collaboration Across the Region

  5. Promoting Information Sharing and Learning

CORE VALUES

We adhere to these core values:

  1. Honoring Local Culture and Resilience
    Recognize the unique histories, traditions, and strengths of each WNC community, ensuring that all external support honors local values and efforts already underway.

  2. Including Collective Healing at Every Step
    Disaster recovery work should promote healing through trauma-informed engagement and attunement with each other and all living systems.

  3. Promoting Equitable Access and Inclusive Participation
    Aim to overcome barriers to participation, ensuring that all voices are heard, especially the communities and ecosystems experiencing the greatest impact.

  4. Fostering Transparency and Openness
    Commit to regular, open communication across all stakeholder groups to build trust, reduce misunderstanding, develop systemic approaches, and enhance community participation.

  5. Remembering We Are All Teachers and Learners
    Regularly assess approaches and learn from each phase, allowing for flexibility to adapt to evolving needs and the changing context of recovery.

 

We are a self-organizing network, working in the spaces in-between. Join us!

““We’re not trying to save the world, but we are giving the best we can.””
— Scott L.