Community

Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in our local area and around the world working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Together, with support from volunteers, donors and advocates, we have helped thousands of low-income residents in Buncombe and Madison counties access decent, affordable housing. Better health, education and well-being — it all starts with home. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get involved at ashevillehabitat.org. 

Blue Ridge Public Radio is here for Western North Carolina — creating and sharing stories that inform, inspire and bring people together. Serving 14 counties and reaching more than 900,000 people, BPR offers award-winning local journalism, NPR programs and cultural content that helps us better understand our neighbors and the world. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, listeners have called BPR a lifeline — a trusted companion that connects them to reliable information and to each other. With the loss of federal support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, we rely on community strength to keep this lifeline strong.

The mission of Eblen Charities is to provide assistance to families and individuals in our community during times of crisis and hardship, whether a medical, financial or emergency need.

The mission of the Fund for Investigative Reporting and Editing (FIRE) is to promote locally based reporting that encourages citizen participation and a sense of community in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Because we believe that a strong democracy is based on freedom of speech and access to public information, we provide resources to local reporters, editors and activists who favor these principles.

Homeward Bound believes housing is a human right. Our mission is preventing and ending homelessness in our community through permanent housing and support. Since 2006, we have moved over 2,670 people into housing. In 2024, we had a 96.5% retention rate for clients not returning to homelessness.

We offer programs to transition unhoused neighbors into their own homes, including our AHOPE Day Center, homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing and our Welcome Home Donation Center.

LEAF Global Arts is on a mission of connecting cultures and creating community through world music, arts education, preservation and experiences.

Moving through a global pandemic, a tropical storm and recent budget cuts for arts and education, LEAF Festival celebrates 30 years of cultural preservation and global arts education in the schools and streets of Asheville and in 10 countries around the world. Post-Helene, LEAF supported the Asheville artist community with a LEAF Local Artist Relief Fund.

This year’s festival theme, “Live Life Like a Festival,” is named after the LEAF book written by founder, visionary and connector Jennifer Pickering. The LEAF book presale kicks off LEAF’s Global Arts FUNdraiser 2025-2026, an invitation to live life celebrating connection, creativity and community. 

Literacy Together’s mission is to transform lives and communities through the power of literacy. Our programs — Adult Literacy, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Youth Literacy and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — are designed to meet the unique needs of learners at every stage of life. Enhanced literacy skills create a ripple effect through our community, benefiting everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Imagine a world where everyone has the ability to read, learn, communicate and succeed. Together, we are making that vision a reality.

Firefly Gathering envisions a world where everybody is empowered with multigenerational perspectives, wisdom and earth skills, handcrafting a beautiful and harmonious reality in which all beings can thrive. 

Our mission is to inspire and empower the people of the Southeast by offering opportunities to connect with self, community and the natural world through year-round earth skills workshops and gatherings focused on traditional wisdom and craft.

The Mediation Center creates a safer and more peaceful community for everyone by helping people move through difficult and stressful conflicts with neighbors, family members, co-workers and community members. 

Having a car changes lives — opening the door to education, jobs and an improved quality of life. Working Wheels partners with nonprofits to provide low-cost cars and repairs to our neighbors in need in Western North Carolina. Community donations of vehicles and money fuel our programs and help your neighbors overcome financial obstacles.