Zoe Miller was displaced by Hurricane Helene due to flooding. Zoe is pictured with Nathan West, BCLTRG Construction Committee Chair & Director of Operations for the Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders of WNC.
"Don't Lose Hope"
Zoe Miller has a message for disaster survivors who are still waiting for help, "Don't lose hope because the world has good people in it. Even for people like me, who are strangers in this country. I thought everybody forgot about me. But God remembers you, and help is coming."
Hurricane Helene could not have struck at a more difficult time for Zoe. She was recovering from major surgery and spending time with her adult children when news of the approaching storm began to dominate her attention.
When she returned to Swannanoa the day after the storm, she was stunned by what she found. "There was mud up to my chest—I could not even enter my house. Everything was upside down and turned over. I had never seen anything like it."
The home Zoe had lived in and cared for for more than 30 years was completely destroyed. Zoe joined others in trying to save what remained. She worked to salvage her home, but the physical demands were too much. Zoe began to believe she would have no choice but to walk away from the place she loved.
Instead, she found a way forward.
When a local disaster case manager encouraged her to explore rebuilding, Zoe was hesitant. She was skeptical of the contractors who called her. Over months of conversations, she gradually opened the door to a new possibility. Six months later, she partnered with the Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders.
"They kept telling me that they were going to do a beautiful job, but I didn't believe it," Zoe said. "I was so stressed out. They said to me, 'Believe us. We're going to restore your house.' And they did!"
Challenges persist. The stress of the disaster and the physical strain of the months that followed still linger. Her backyard still needs work, and she hopes one day her home can be elevated to better withstand future storms.
But this experience has changed her outlook. "Trust that someone can help you. I never wanted to ask people for help, and I always did everything for myself. Now, I have figured out how to let people help me. This process gave me hope."
Zoe's story is a reminder that recovery is not just about rebuilding homes. It is about rebuilding hope, finding strength in community, and continuing to move forward—one step at a time.
Nathan West, BCLTRG Construction Committee Chair & Director of Operations for the Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders of WNC met with Sarah Roth, Interim Executive Director of the BLCTRG recently.
We can only recover if we work together, share resources, and knowledge. The Fuller Center has learned a lot through disaster recovery work across the country, and being part of the BCLTRG allows us to bring those lessons to Buncombe County while working alongside local partners.
Now you can see the fruits of our labor. A lot of organizations are gone now, but we are still here and still helping people get back on their feet.
Literally everything. My kids are sixth generation in Buncombe County. My great-grandmother farmed tobacco in the western part of the county. To be able to continue to help rebuild after what we saw and the damage we experienced, to have this opportunity to help means the world to me.
As a whole, we have done more than 40 major repairs or rebuilds in this county alone. We are moving into the new construction phase. Our goal is to build 50 new homes in the next two years and ensure that they are affordable to the people who live here. This is an old mill town. Most of the people that live in this neighborhood bought these homes a while back when they were affordable — but they aren’t anymore. And so the people that have lived here for generations, or lived in houses that were passed down, we don’t have that opportunity anymore. That’s why we established a land trust in Buncombe County, and this community, to create that opportunity again.
Any households still in need of home repair or construction should contact the BCLTRG. Partners and households interested in learning about the affordable homes we are building in Black Mountain should attend an information session of the Roots Community Land Trust. We meet the second Tuesday of each month at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. You can reach out to adminwnc@disaster-rebuilders.org.
Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month, Presentation from 5:30-6:30pm
The people that showed up, and keep showing up, from all over the world. The friends that I have gained throughout this process and the people I have met that I didn’t know lived in my community before. To see what we have accomplished together and how we have come together as a human race. Frankly, it's what keeps me going on most days.
On Friday, May 29th, we gathered at First Congregational Church in Downtown Asheville for an LTRG General Body meeting for the first time since last November. There was strong participation including representation from case management agencies, construction partners and collaborators from across the region. The case management agencies working hard to process hundreds of long-term recovery cases through our integrated LTRG system right now include: Swannanoa Resilience Hub, Swannanoa Communities Together, Lutheran Family Services, Colaborativa La Milpa, United Methodist Church, Catholic Charities, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Divine Disaster Relief.
It was a meaningful and relevant time to meet — the same month that intake rates for the case management system sky-rocketed and the systems we’ve worked so hard to build the past year and a half are truly operational and here to stay for long-term recovery.
The morning opened with an update from the LTRG’s Interim Executive Director, Sarah Roth, who helped us anchor into the BCLTRG integrated disaster case management 4-step process:
Outreach & intake
Triage
Case Management
Recovery
After getting everyone on the same page regarding the 4-step process, we heard from a panel whose members could speak on behalf of how the process is currently functioning: Miguel Hernandez for Outreach & Intake, Nathan West for Construction, and Rachel Lee, Case Management Agency Rep from Swannanoa Resilience Hub. The stories each of them had to share about how this work is impacting the community were inspiring and heartfelt.
For example, we heard about one local family whose case management intake focused on a modest request for vehicle replacement due to a storm loss. Upon further investigation, the case manager discovered that their mobile residence is still functionally un-livable, a year and a half after the storm. With help from the BCLTRG network, the family was able to not only recover their property losses, but also get priority for construction support.
What followed was a rich and meaningful discussion amongst Buncombe’s long-term recovery network, exploring what’s working well and what gaps need to be closed in order to provide even better, more consistent, and more equitable services to disaster survivors in our county.
At the close of the meeting, participants named case management and recovery as parts of the process where the greatest energy was needed in the next few months. BCLTRG staff will incorporate that feedback, and more, in the coming months until the entire body meets again on Friday, September 25.
Submitted by Jenesis Nicolaisen, Communications Committee Chair
While the Public Intake Form platform has been up and running and processing backlogged cases since September, the new year marks a milestone in system readiness to receive new cases from the public and continue to provide community support. This form connects the public to the Buncombe County Long Term Recovery Group’s coordinated recovery system.
This system is a key factor in the BCLTRG’s ability to support individuals and families in the community by connecting them with direct assistance through our partner disaster and construction case management agencies. Through the use of the Intake Form, we currently have construction cases in the pipeline, and partner agencies ready to support additional survivors.
Over the last few months, three new staff members have joined the LTRG team: Taylor Norris as Program Manager, leading and coordinating long-term disaster recovery efforts through overseeing partnerships, managing program operations, and aligning resources, Sydney Anderson as Intake and Triage Coordinator, conducting initial assessments, determining eligibility, and coordinating referrals, and Sakara Sullivan as Resilience Hub Manager, supporting administrative functions, and communications with partners and the community.
Miguel Hernandez continues to serve as Disaster Case Management Lead, and Sarah Roth as Interim Executive Director. Our construction lead is no longer with the LTRG, but our team is still building construction partnerships and keeping the momentum going.
As our network of construction partners continues to grow and strengthen, so too does our ability to support survivors in need of home repair. We are excited to announce that we currently have cases assigned to three of our partner agencies, Fuller Center, Hearts with Hands, and All Hands and Hearts, who will be comprehensively working on repairing damage and restoring the homes of community members. Our network of partner agencies is prepared to support additional survivors and is ready to accept new cases.
If you would like to get involved with the BCLTRG, consider filling out the Committee Interest Form to be added to the distribution list for the committee(s) you’re interested in.
For current information on upcoming events and committee meetings, please view the Committee Calendar.
Last Friday’s General Body Meeting marked an important milestone for the Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group. More than 85 participants representing at least 44 organizations came together to reconnect, share updates, and strengthen the network guiding our long-term recovery efforts.
The session included a collective activity facilitated by Leah Ferguson of Thrive Asheville and grounding remarks from Evan Richardson. Throughout the morning, participants shared thoughtful questions, meaningful insights, and a strong desire for continued collaboration. One theme that emerged clearly was the need for more consistent communication and more opportunities like this for the full network to come together.
A team is compiling the feedback, notes, and table report-outs from the meeting. Key themes will help inform future planning and coordination across the LTRG.
Feedback survey: 👉 https://forms.gle/R9UBjDLTZtw7apiN6
The energy and connection from this gathering reflect the strength of our long-term recovery network and the importance of creating regular spaces to come together as we continue moving forward.
As the seasons change and we approach the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, the Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group (BCLTRG) is entering an important new chapter. With key staff in place, new grant funding secured, and technology implementation underway, our shared recovery effort is moving from planning into action. As a network of community partners, we remain committed to ensuring equitable and sustained recovery from Hurricane Helene across our County.
Two new staff members have joined the LTRG team to unite recovery efforts across partner organizations: Miguel Hernandez as Case Management Lead and Joe Skridulis as Construction Lead. Their experience strengthens our ability to serve households navigating complex recovery needs. Additional staffing is temporarily on hold while agreements are finalized, but these two positions anchor our capacity to move forward.
Momentum is growing for funding our systems to support disaster-impacted individuals and households. This summer, we secured two major grants: one from the Red Cross, and one from United Way of North Carolina. These funds will go directly to ongoing needs for rental assistance, construction, and move-in supplies; in addition to helping establish the internal infrastructure for the LTRG.
Technology Platform: The Connective system is nearly ready to launch. Partners are completing data backfills and receiving training to ensure a smooth rollout, anticipated the week of September 8.
Housing Assistance: Eviction-prevention funding has already reached Grace Covenant, La Milpa, and SCT, with workflows built into the Connective system. Training for all partners is underway.
Case Management: All six agencies are preparing for full integration into the new system, with contracts distributed and regular coordination meetings happening.
Construction: Systems are set and ready for the first cases to flow through as soon as DCM is live.
In the next few months, the Buncombe LTRG will be focused on launching its new collaborative case management system for public access. We’ll be finalizing our partnership with NC 211, launching public communications, and connecting with each other at the anniversary events that will be taking place across our community the weekend of September 27th.
9/15/2025
The BCLTRG continues its work to coordinate a county-wide response to the devastation left by Hurricane Helene. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, faith communities, government agencies, and volunteers, our goal remains clear: ensure equitable, collaborative, and sustained support for those most impacted.
Building a Team
As this work evolves, the BCLTRG is building a full-time recovery team to carry the effort forward. These roles, ranging from program management to construction coordination, will help anchor our long-term operations. All positions will be employed by UWABC, the group’s fiscal sponsor. Visit the UWABC website for current openings.
Six local and national agencies have been selected to lead Disaster Case Management, bringing both grassroots knowledge and deep recovery expertise. These teams are now co-designing contracts, identifying training needs, and aligning with FEMA and state partners to ensure streamlined support. The new system is centered around community needs, reducing duplication and improving coordination among service providers.
Coordinated Technology Platform
BCLTRG is partnering with Connective, a national nonprofit specializing in disaster recovery tools, to launch a shared platform for intake, triage, and construction coordination. With over 10,000 homes damaged in Buncombe County alone, this centralized technology is essential to ensuring no community member is overlooked and every effort is aligned.
Committee Highlights
Emotional & Spiritual Health: Hosted The Many Tolls of Helene, a healing event with interactive workshops, community-led activities, and space for reflection.
Construction Committee: Set an ambitious goal to repair or rebuild 43 homes in the first year, through nonprofit and volunteer-led teams.
Communications: A new eNewsletter and updated website are in the works to improve community access to recovery updates and resources.
6/13/2025
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC) has been selected as the Buncombe County Long Term Recovery Group’s (BCLTRG) Fiscal Sponsor. Since 1921, UWABC has been a key convener and connector in Western North Carolina, driving collective action and positive community change.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, UWABC remains committed to working alongside community partners to support recovery and rebuilding efforts. Experts in disaster recovery estimate that this process will take at least a decade, and we are fully dedicated to seeing it through. As a trusted nonprofit, UWABC brings together people, partners, and resources to address challenges too big for any single organization to solve alone.
Until BCLTRG’s full-time staff is in place, UWABC and Thrive Asheville will provide support for operation with essential leadership and coordination to advance disaster recovery efforts. This temporary leadership team’s work includes facilitating cross-sector collaboration, guiding working committee structures, and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery strategies. This work has been critical in building a strong foundation for BCLTRG’s long-term sustainability. Allocated lead team includes:
Sarah Roth: UWABC's Helene Recovery Initiatives Director
Kate Pett: Thrive Asheville's Deputy Director
Gina Elrod: UWABC's Helene Recovery Initiatives Manager
3/20/25
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For the past seventy-five days, the Interim Steering Committee (ISC) has been hard at work, laying the groundwork for a seamless transition to a fully established Steering Committee. This effort has been vital in shaping a mission and structure that will allow long-term recovery efforts in Buncombe County to flourish. While our region has been deeply engaged in stabilizing and securing the well-being of our community members, long-term recovery extends beyond immediate relief — it's an ongoing journey that requires collaboration, dedication, and vision.
Although the long-term recovery process is just beginning in many ways, numerous committees have been diligently working behind the scenes throughout this transition. Their commitment and perseverance have been instrumental in ensuring that support systems remain strong and accessible. This seamless continuation of efforts is what makes long-term recovery both hopeful and inspiring — our community’s resilience continues to shine through.
Leading the charge, the ISC has been a collective effort spearheaded by Kate Pett (Thrive AVL) and Sarah Roth (United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County). Their tireless contributions have been invaluable, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their dedication. Over the past two months, the ISC has met weekly and broken into working groups throughout the week. Some ISC members will carry forward their experience by joining the new Steering Committee, preserving institutional knowledge and preventing duplication of efforts as this new team gets underway.
We are excited to welcome a dynamic and dedicated group of individuals who will be guiding the Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group (BCLTRG) into this next chapter. Their passion, expertise, and commitment will be crucial in shaping the future of recovery efforts in our community.
Much of the work of the BCLTRG happens within specialized working committees. If you haven’t yet joined a committee, we encourage you to explore where your skills and passions can make the most impact. Your involvement is crucial — this is a collective effort that thrives on community engagement. I invite you to explore this website to discover the ways you can become involved.
Over the past three months, one message has been reinforced time and time again — long-term recovery can take decades. However, in true Buncombe County fashion, we are committed to moving forward with unwavering determination and heart. Our love for this community, these mountains, and our people will continue to fuel our efforts.
The journey ahead will have its ebbs and flows, and we encourage you to honor your capacity — step back when needed, and step in when you can. We will keep showing up for one another, ensuring that we remain #MountainStrong and #RisingTogether.
With deep gratitude for all those carrying the baton forward in this moment,
Rev. Sara Wilcox
Interim Steering Committee Member