How United Way's Community Schools Aided Recovery After Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene struck, community schools became more than classrooms. See how they helped families recover and rebuild.
Before Hurricanes Helene and Milton swept through Western North Carolina, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County had already laid the groundwork for response. Through its Community Schools strategy, United Way placed staff inside nine schools across the region, building trust and partnerships to meet day-to-day needs. That same structure helped United Way respond when the disaster struck.
“When the storms hit, there was no cell service,” said Kyle Garrett, Director of Community Schools. “As soon as cell service was restored, our team worked alongside school staff to call every family connected to the school, just to check in and make sure they were okay."
These schools weren’t starting from scratch. Each one already had a resource room stocked with essentials, a family engagement plan, and an on-site United Way Community School Coordinator who knew the community well. After the storm, those rooms became distribution centers. Coordinators provided food, hygiene supplies, and clothing to families who had lost access to the basics. They also helped schools reconnect with families displaced by the flooding. Homelessness in the county’s school district doubled, rising from 600 to over 1,200 students in just a year.
As soon as cell service was restored, our team worked alongside school staff to call every family connected to the school, just to check in and make sure they were okay."
When schools reopened after more than a month without clean water, Garrett expected a slow restart. Instead, schools wanted their community nights and after-school clubs back right away.
“They were eager to get families together,” Garrett said. “Even before students returned, some schools held events to welcome people back. Hundreds showed up.”
This response was a natural extension of the work already happening. United Way’s deep local relationships and sustained presence allowed the community to act quickly, support one another, and begin the recovery process.
When crisis arrived, Community Schools activated and the community knew exactly where to turn.
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