BeLoved Asheville is one of our state’s most impactful community-run organizations.
This past fall, the strength of community in Western North Carolina was on full display. We watched countless groups and individuals pour all of their resources into supporting their neighbors. All told, there are countless stories that deserve a platform. In fact, if you have someone or an organization you’d like us to support, we would love to hear from you over at @discoverthecarolinas.
One story that captured our attention early on was that of BeLoved Asheville. Ever since, we’ve been eager to be able to give the organization its due.
A Mission that Matters
BeLoved Asheville is a local, community-run organization that began in 2009. It started “with a small group of people that believed that we need each other and that we can do far more together than we can do alone.”
The three current directors are Gustavo “Ponkho” Bermejo, Adrienne Sigmon, and Amy Cantrell. Carmen Ramos-Kennedy is the Director of Equity & Community Engagement.
Grassroots-founded and equity-focused, their staff shows up for whatever their neighbors need. For example, this can be anything from a safe bed to jobs, diapers, and support with hospital bills.
With over 15 years of experience in movement building and advocacy for human rights, BeLoved attributes their success to the ability to build relationships, create visible change, and generate community-led momentum for collective action. Today, BeLoved says their community has grown into a “powerhouse organization” making a major difference here in Western North Carolina. They focus their efforts on food access, deeply affordable housing, racial equity, healthcare on the streets, cultural celebrations, enrichment and school supplies for kids.
So, when Hurricane Helene hit, BeLoved found themselves uniquely trained to spring into action.
From Mobilization to Long-Term Housing
In the immediate aftermath, their focus was on mobilizing volunteers. Equally important was disseminating critical necessities like food, water, and healthcare for survival and stability. Furthermore, debris-clearing was also an enormous undertaking, and one that BeLoved tackled by using donations to rent dumpsters and heavy machinery.
A few months later, frigid winter temperatures meant they needed a new focus: to secure warm and safe housing for the displaced. Now, the larger scale recovery efforts that will take years are at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
According to their website, the “long-term vision is to restore homes by renovating and cleaning affected areas, making them safe and habitable again. This includes building new homes in BeLoved Villages for displaced families and purchasing homes or structures that can be converted into housing. Achieving this vision requires the skills and dedication of local builders, trades, and construction teams, alongside significant monetary contributions.”
Ultimately, BeLoved Asheville showcases the best of us: generosity, empathy, and connectedness. Getting involved as a volunteer or donor leads to direct and visible outcomes. Visit https://www.belovedasheville.com/get-involved to see how you might best support this selfless and engaged crew of North Carolinians.
belovedasheville.com
@belovedasheville
