General news about Mountain Projects

Haywood County Community Blanket Drive through November

HAYWOOD COUNTY – For several years, the Waynesville Rotary Club has held a successful Blanket Drive before Christmas with the blankets and proceeds donated to Mountain Projects. In 2023, the Blanket Drive will be held throughout November.

Led by Waynesville Rotary and in collaboration with other Service Clubs, including Altrusa, Kiwanis, Lions Club Canton, Lions Club Clyde, and Haywood County and Sunrise Rotary Clubs, the service clubs generated more than 300 blankets in 2022. 

In 2023, the Rotary is inviting Haywood County banking institutions and credit unions to join the effort.  Mountain Credit Union, a bank that participated in the Drive last year, will participate again this holiday season. New participants include HomeTrust Bank, Waynesville and Clyde, United Community Bank, and WNC Community Credit Union.

There are three ways to participate and provide blankets to Mountain Projects:

(1) Blankets can be purchased and collected by the local Clubs/Institutions and then distributed to Mountain Projects by a representative of the organization.

(2) Blankets from individuals or groups can be delivered directly to Mountain Projects, 2177 Asheville Road, across the road from Junaluska Elementary School (In this instance, please let staff know the number and the source of the blanket(s).

(3) Blankets can be purchased on Amazon and shipped directly to Mountain Projects. Make sure the receipt includes “Blanket Drive” along with, the source of the blanket, whether a Service Club, Bank, Credit Union, or name or an individual. For example,                

Mountain Projects, Inc.
Blanket Drive — (Supporter/organization name)
2177 Asheville Road
Waynesville, North Carolina 28786

Cash donations for blanket purchases are welcomed by Mountain Projects. If you have any questions regarding business or organizational participation, please call Bill Allsbrook, Waynesville Rotary Club, at 828-734-4536.

 

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Local Partnership To Make Impact On Regional Housing Needs

JACKSON COUNTY – A local partnership is poised to make a large impact on regional housing needs by providing new options for Jackson County seniors, low-to-middle-income families and business professionals.

Webster Village, a partnership between Givens Communities, Western Carolina University and Mountain Projects of Sylva, plans to create approximately 211-237 new housing units in Jackson County near the Webster community.

The collaborative project was able to go forward because of financial contributions from Dogwood Health Trust.

“Our regional housing needs are greater than any one agency can address,” said Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects. “Dogwood Health Trust has provided an opportunity for us to come together and meet a big challenge. We have a powerful concept and the right partners to make this project a success.”

“Safe, stable and affordable housing is key for overall health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “Dogwood Health Trust is honored and excited to play a role in this creative work by committed partners who are collaborating to make Jackson County truly feel like ‘home’ for seniors, low-income families and members of the workforce.” 

Givens Estates will play a lead role in the component of the partnership focused on seniors. 

“Studies of the Jackson County housing market have shown a significant demand for low-cost retirement communities,” said Teresa Stephens, Vice President of Givens Affordable Communities. “Independent older adult can thrive by the Givens model of housing with supported services.”

Webster Village is a highly creative project, set to play a positive role in three very different sectors of housing.

“This is a great example of the cooperative approaches that are taking place across our region to tackle big issues like affordable housing to help seniors age in place and offer a place to live for the workforce serving them and the community,” said Mims.

Stephens agreed. “We believe that by introducing this approach to Jackson County, we will be able to address some of the county’s most pressing housing challenges,” she said.

“Our participation in this project further illustrates Western Carolina University’s commitment to the economic well-being of our region and the lack of available housing that for all income segments in Western North Carolina has become increasingly alarming,” said WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown.

Preliminary site plans are for three housing clusters that will serve a broad range of residents. They are as follows:

  • Givens Communities plans to develop 120 senior living apartment units.
  • Mountain Projects plans to develop 35 single-family homes for low-to-moderate-income families.
  • Western Carolina University, or its designated partner, will develop 50-85 multi-family apartments, to include 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, targeting adult working professionals and their families.

 WCU leadership is excited about the project and how it will help new professionals interested in locating in the region.

 “Together with our partners at Mountain Projects and Givens Communities, the Webster Village project will provide a central location for multi-income housing in Jackson County for senior citizens and valued members of the community’s workforce.” Brown said. “Our goal is to be part of a project that isn’t specific to only WCU faculty and staff, but one that provides opportunities for adult workers and families who are essential to the growth and sustainability of the region that we serve.”

 Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects of Sylva, agreed.

 “Each partner brings a unique perspective, and together we present a comprehensive approach with multi-income housing,” Davis said. “The demand for housing exists across all income levels and our approach addresses the housing needs of seniors, professionals and families who haven’t had the opportunity for home ownership.” 

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About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust exists to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all people and communities in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina. Working with the community, grantees, partners, researchers and scholars, Dogwood Health Trust collaborates to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all.

Dogwood makes investments that serve the immediate and long-term needs of Western North Carolina. Through the sharing of resources, which includes funding and other investments such as capacity building, convening and advocacy, Dogwood is engaging the regional community to work towards its purpose to dramatically improve the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of Western North Carolina.

About Givens Communities

Givens has provided a rich, meaningful retirement community living for more than 40 years. Givens Estates in Asheville began in 1979 with low-income apartments for seniors and grew into a Life Plan Community with a full continuum of care. In 2007, Givens Great Laurels, 100 affordable senior apartments, opened in Waynesville, and in 2012, Givens acquired Highland Farms, also a Life Plan Community, in Black Mountain. From 2016-2018 Givens developed Gerber Park in South Asheville to provide 262 additional low- and moderate-income apartment homes with supportive services. 

The Givens Board of Directors has maintained a strong commitment to serving older adults of all income levels and the organization is partnering with Dogwood Health Trust and local stakeholders to help address the need for more than 10,000 units throughout Western North Carolina. Visionary leadership, a culture of service and giving back, and maintaining our values all contribute to the organization’s achievements, the most important of which is our residents living fully and enjoying life.

About Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University’s main campus is located in Cullowhee, just over 50 miles west of Asheville. Our 600-acre mountain campus is surrounded by one of the most biodiverse regions in the state that provides students unparalleled learning and adventure opportunities. Named the #1 Outdoor Adventure School, our Cullowhee campus’ proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides research and discovery access for a wide variety of programs.

About Mountain Projects of Sylva

Mountain Projects is a community action agency, founded in 1965 with offices in Waynesville and Sylva. Our programs work to address the root causes of poverty and we administer programs that result in economic independence and self-sufficiency for our clients. Our programs include Head Start, Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership, Haywood Transit, Haywood Senior Resource Center, GetCovered WNC Affordable Insurance Counseling, Mountain Strong WNC Substance Misuse Prevention, and the Haywood Senior Resource Center. From housing to healthcare counseling and from Pre-K education to public transportation, Mountain Projects works to make Haywood and Jackson Counties better places to live.

 

Mp_webster_master_plan.jpg: Webster Village is planned for a parcel located on Cloverdale Road, off of Little Savannah Road, near its intersection with NC116.

 

 

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Dislocated workers can get $500 per family member to help with insurance

By Vicki Hyatt, the Mountaineer

Thanks to a $1 million grant from Dogwood Health Trust, those without health insurance due to the Pactiv Evergreen mill closure have some stop-gap answers.

With the company insurance coverage paid for by Pactiv Evergreen through July 31 for workers who sign up under COBRA, those unable to find another job immediately or who have to wait until they are eligible for insurance at their new job can receive up to $500 per family member to defray the policy cost.

To read more, follow the following link: https://www.themountaineer.com/news/dislocated-workers-can-get-500-per-family-member-to-help-with-insurance/article_dbe218b0-0e1b-11ee-aa52-efcefe339c57.html

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Mountain Projects Health Insurance Counselor Helps Save a Life

Brenda and James Porcello live in Charlotte, but have family in Waynesville. James had a recent medical crisis, and despite a clean health history it became obvious he needed a liver transplant, fast. His life was in danger. Unfortunately, the Porcello’s insurance policy was unacceptable to the hospital that would perform the transplant. 

Jacquie Buttles knew just who to call. She’s an Insurance Analyst for the state of North Carolina, and she had become involved in the case. 

“Jan Plummer at Mountain Projects and I have been program partners for a decade,” Jacquie said. “I thought we should talk this case through to see what options were available for this patient.”

With their many years of combined experience, the two knew both client processes and large agency needs, and they put their heads together to carve out a complicated path forward. It worked: in September, James had a liver transplant at one of the few hospitals in North Carolina that does such procedures, and he came through with flying colors.

The insurance Jan and Jacquie arranged covered the costs of surgery, medications and recovery, and James’s strong family support system was ready to help him fight for his life. 

Jan and Jacquie know the intricacies of health insurance, and sometimes they have the opportunity to help save a life. “This story makes my heart sing,” says Jan, “we counselors know this work is important, but don’t always have such an amazing story to tell.”

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MP Seeking to Replenish the Emergency Fund

 

Release date: December 3, 2022

Holiday Campaign to Replenish the Emergency Fund

WAYNESVILLE AND SYLVA – Through December, Mountain Projects is requesting community support to replenish its Emergency Fund. This fund assists vulnerable households with serious challenges like avoiding utility shut-off, making unexpected vehicle repairs and emergency shelter. The Emergency Fund is dedicated to supporting low-income households in Haywood and Jackson County who are ineligible for grant-funded programs. 

Executive Director Patsy Davis encourages the community to chip-in to protect our region’s most vulnerable. “Every contribution, every act of generosity is a blessing to a person in need,” she says. Mountain Projects receives an average of ten emergency requests per week. Davis said, “This week, we had a request from a family living out of their car. With emergency funds we were able to provide temporary housing while we find a longer term solution for their situation. The community helps us solve serious problems when they make donations.”

Founded in 1965, Mountain Projects was chartered as part of President Linden Johnson’s War on Poverty and currently serves more than 12,000 people each year. Ninety-seven percent of clients served by Mountain Projects are the working poor, disabled, elderly or handicapped. The organization employs 140 staff members and maintains offices in Sylva and Waynesville

As a Community Action Agency, Mountain Projects supports and implements programs designed to improve social, economic, educational, health, emotional and environmental aspects of life for families and individuals in the western mountain region. Those initiatives range from Head Start and food assistance to a variety of programs for senior citizens, and from public transportation to housing rehabilitation. 

For information and stories about Mountain Projects’ work in Haywood and Jackson Counties, visit MountainProjects.org and Mountain Projects’ Facebook page.

To donate, visit MountainProjects.org, call 828-452-1447 or send a contribution by mail to Mountain Projects, 2177 Asheville Road, Waynesville NC 28786.

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Service Clubs Announce a New Approach to the Annual Haywood County Blanket Drive


Release date: 11/17/2022
Phone: (828) 452-1447

HAYWOOD COUNTY – Mountain Projects and Waynesville Rotary Club paired for many years to coordinate a popular Christmas holiday blanket drive.

Then, In 2021, Mountain Projects Executive Director, Patsy Davis contacted Bill Allsbrook of Waynesville Rotary and asked if their blanket drive could be moved to early November due to the rising heating and utility costs. Mountain Projects was already taking calls for assistance and were anticipating more.

To meet the need quickly, the two contacted seven Haywood County Service Clubs: Altrusa, Kiwanis, two Lions Clubs and three Rotary Clubs, who enthusiastically signed on to help. Then, as word got out in the community, the general public contributed and the effort brought in over 300 blankets and significant cash donations to help local families with heating and utility bills.

The Annual Haywood County Blanket Drive has evolved out of this success and in addition to ongoing Service Club efforts, all Haywood County residents are invited to participate. “We hope the community will join in. With the temperatures starting to dip and a 28% projected increase in heating and utility costs, we will need more blankets,” says Allsbrook.

“With increasing costs of basic needs, like groceries, particularly for ‘fixed-income’ seniors, we appreciate the help,” says Executive Director Patsy Davis, “Many senior households can’t afford their heating bills and Head Start families also need a helping hand.” The Blanket Drive and Winter Warmth campaign will be a significant component of Mountain Projects’ winter relief efforts.

New blankets can be dropped off at the Mountain Projects Office, 2177 Asheville Road, Waynesville (the old public health building roughly across the street from Junaluska Middle School) or online purchases can be shipped directly to the agency through December 23, 2022.

Mountain Projects

“Blanket Drive”

2177 Asheville Road

Waynesville, North Carolina 28786

Financial contributions towards winter heating bills can be made online at MountainProjects.org/giving or checks can be sent by mail. Please annotate checks with “Winter Warmth.”

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HAYWOOD SECTION 8 WAITLIST REOPENS BEGINNING SEPT. 6

PUBLIC NOTICE: Beginning Sept. 6, 2022, Mountain Projects, Inc., of Haywood County will begin taking applications for rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 Program funded through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Online applications are now accepted. Households are encouraged to apply online by visiting: HTTPS://WWW.WAITLISTCHECK.COM/NC3130

Households that are unable to complete an online application may schedule an appointment by calling Mark Carden at 828-492-4103 or Samantha Ramsey at 828-492-4114 ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 6, 2022.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, or national origin.

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Davis Named President of of the North Carolina Community Action Association Board of Directors

Mountain Projects Executive Director Patsy Powell Davis was named President of the North Carolina Community Action Association Board of Directors on Friday, May 13, at the organization’s annual conference, held this year in Cherokee.

The North Carolina Community Action Association is an anti-poverty member organization that advocates on behalf of the needs of vulnerable families through its statewide network of 34 community action agencies (CAAs) serving all 100 counties. Member organizations work together to break cycles of poverty and to strengthen low-income families and communities.

Mountain Projects and the NCCAA were both formed in 1965, and have a long history of collaboration.

“I am profoundly honored to lead the NCCAA board for the next two years and to be joined by such a stellar group of advocates for North Carolina’s most vulnerable populations,” said Davis. “This board has very clear objectives. Like our predecessors, our goal is to continue to uphold the community action network’s high standards of enriching lives purposefully and intentionally through the collective work that we do.”

Community Action Agencies equip low-income citizens with the tools and potential for becoming self-sufficient. The structure of programming is unique: federal grant dollars are used locally to offer specialized programming in communities. It is a coordinated effort to address the root effects of poverty and, ultimately, to move families and individuals to self-sufficiency.

“NCCAA exists to uplift our state’s most vulnerable families,” said Executive Director Sharon C. Goodson. “We welcome these new board members, whose passions are deeply rooted in our statewide network’s anti-poverty mission of empowering low-income people to help themselves and each other while growing strong communities for all. These dedicated advocates and inspiring leaders will guide this work in both rural and urban communities in all 100 of our state’s counties.”

The following individuals were sworn into leadership at the NCCAA Conference in Cherokee and represent agencies throughout the State of North Carolina.

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