HERE in Jackson County, Inc.

10/13/2025

Today we honor the First Peoples of this land, their sovereignty, resilience, and living cultures. At HERE, we also recognize that Native communities experience disproportionate rates of homelessness and housing insecurity. Housing justice must include respect for Tribal sovereignty, equitable resources, and Native-led solutions.

May today be a reminder to listen, learn, and act, so every Indigenous child, adult, and elder has a safe home.

09/27/2025

🌪️ Today Marks One Year Since Hurricane Helene 🌪️

One year ago today, we all awakened to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. We were stunned by the amount of destruction facing our small mountain communities—devastation unlike anything we had ever seen before from a storm of this kind.

Yet in the midst of that loss, we also witnessed incredible strength—neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together, and resilience shining through the hardest of days.

Still, we know recovery hasn’t been simple, and for some, the struggle continues. If you, or someone you know in Jackson, Swain, Haywood, Macon, Clay, Graham, Cherokee, or Madison County, are still facing hardships or homelessness because you were directly impacted by Hurricane Helene, please reach out.

Call Gretta Worley at HERE in Jackson County: 828-477-4946. She will be glad to talk with you and explore ways we may be able to support you on your path forward.

💙 You are not forgotten. You are not alone. Together, we are stronger. Together, we keep moving forward.

09/26/2025

🌟 Exciting Updates at HERE in Jackson County! 🌟

There have been many changes happening at HERE in Jackson County over the past couple of months — and they are all GREAT ones! Each change has been made with the people we serve in mind, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.

👣 Paul Phillips – Street Outreach Coordinator
After nearly two years serving as a Back @ Home Housing Stabilization Case Manager, Paul has stepped into the role of Street Outreach Coordinator as of July 1. The impact has been remarkable! The number of unsheltered neighbors being connected to services has grown significantly — a true reflection of Paul’s visibility in the community, his compassionate approach, and his deep empathy. Not only is he building strong relationships with our unsheltered neighbors, but also with partners across the community. If you work along Main Street, with the Sylva Police Department, or in probation and parole, keep an eye out — Paul will be stopping by to introduce himself and to see how he can work alongside you to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

📝 Tirana Nguedjouo – SOAR Benefits Specialist
Tirana has joined our team to help individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness apply for disability benefits. Each case takes 30–40 hours to complete, and she already has a full caseload. We’re proud to share that her very first applications have already been approved, making a life-changing difference for those she serves.

🏠 Asha – Housing Stabilization Case Manager (Hurricane Helene Response)
Asha is working closely with those whose lives were disrupted by Hurricane Helene, providing housing and financial solutions to help families regain stability after the storm.

📋 Administrative Support
After years of dedicated service, our longtime Administrative Assistant, Denise Bean, has retired. We are grateful for all she gave to this agency. Stepping in to assist with administrative tasks is Joyce Stratton, who also serves as our part-time Code Purple Emergency Shelter Coordinator.

🏡 Back @ Home Program
Stephen Hunter continues to lead our Back @ Home program, focusing on rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing. This program helps those who are already homeless return to stable housing as quickly as possible. With recent team changes, we are excited to welcome Maggie Welch, who will soon be in the field alongside Stephen. We are also looking forward to adding another Housing Stabilization Case Manager in the near future.

💙 At HERE in Jackson County, we provide shelter services and street outreach right here in Jackson County, while also serving as the Region 1 Lead Agency for homelessness services across eight counties: Jackson, Swain, Haywood, Macon, Clay, Graham, Cherokee, and Madison.

We are grateful for everyone who supports us, partners with us, and believes in our mission. If you have questions, ideas, or want to know more about how we serve our neighbors, please reach out to us at (828) 477-4946.

Together, we are making homelessness rare, brief, and one-time. 💙

09/20/2025

💙 A Heartfelt Thank You 💙

We are truly overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who has reached out with donations—especially furniture items—for our clients. Your generosity is a blessing, and words cannot fully express how much it means to us and to the individuals we serve.

I’m working closely with our Street Outreach Caseworker, who has the only truck in our office, to coordinate times for pick-ups that align with his schedule. We appreciate your patience as we work through the logistics—your kindness makes every effort worthwhile.

At the heart of it all: Blessed are the givers, and thankful are the receivers. Together, you are helping to make a real difference. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for being part of this work with us.

💙 HERE in Jackson County

09/12/2025

THIS IS WHAT WE DO!

We’ve been out since 8:00 this morning searching for someone that we know needs our help. This is what we do - because the needs don’t stop just because our office is closed. Every day, in every way we can, we show up for our neighbors who are unsheltered.

09/11/2025

Paul Phillips and I are on the campus of Western Carolina University this afternoon for the 2025 Community Connections Fair at the Blue Ridge Conference Room from 2-5p

09/08/2025

🍂 The weather is changing—and so are the needs of our unsheltered neighbors.

With recent cuts to SNAP & Medicaid, the need is even greater. And while The Community Table does incredible work, it is closed on Wednesdays, weekends, during vacations, and in times of inclement weather—yet hunger doesn’t take a break just because the Community Table is closed.

❄️ When temperatures drop, the body works harder to stay warm, which means our unsheltered neighbors often need more food and calories than in warmer months.

🙏 Gift cards from local restaurants are a true blessing for our office. They allow us to provide hot meals when no other options are available.

🥫 Shelf-stable foods are also a great help, but please remember: our neighbors without shelter cannot open cans without pop-tops, cannot heat food, and need items that are still edible and tasty straight from the package. Think ready-to-eat meals, easy-open items, and foods that can be eaten cold.

Your donations—big or small—truly make a difference. Thank you for remembering those we serve as the season shifts. 💙

08/05/2025

What a GREAT day for our agency yesterday as myself and our Board Chair spent the day with our agency consultant: planning, sharing, and LEARNING!!!

08/02/2025

07/31/2025

🗞️ Today’s USA Today article highlights proposed changes to homeless services, including calls for increased involuntary commitment of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. While mental illness and addiction do affect many people experiencing homelessness, these issues are often exacerbated—or even triggered—by the trauma of losing housing.

At HERE in Jackson County, we stand by the Housing First model, which prioritizes safe, stable housing as the foundation for recovery and long-term stability. Jail is not treatment. Emergency rooms are not housing. Involuntary holds are not solutions.

When people have access to permanent housing, we see fewer emergency room visits, fewer jail stays, and real opportunities for healing and self-sufficiency. And for taxpayers, providing housing and support services is far less costly than relying on crisis systems.

Let’s focus on housing people—not punishing them for surviving.

Trump wants to lock up people with drug or mental health challenges. Advocates say lack of housing is the real problem.

07/30/2025

Hey Jackson County - it is HOT out there today! Don’t forget HERE in Jackson County has two Cooling Stations happening right now! If you’re out, STOP BY AND COOL OFF with Triana and Paul.
*If it begins to rain, they will shut down

07/27/2025

🔥 Major Heat Wave Alert in Jackson County 🔥

A dangerous combination of heat and humidity is rolling through our area this week—and HERE in Jackson County is ready to help!

☀️ Stay cool and stay safe.
Our Street Outreach Team will be operating Cooling Stations all week from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM in the following locations:
📍 Vacant lot across from PJ’s
📍 Vacant lot beside Ted’s Laundry

We’ll be handing out:
💧 Ice cold water
🧴 Sunscreen
🚫🪰 Bug repellent
🥨 Snacks

Please don’t risk heat exhaustion or dehydration. If you’re unsheltered or out in the heat, come cool off with us and take what you need to stay safe.