Fostering Resilience in the Swannanoa Valley
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, neighbors in the Swannanoa Valley came together to meet the challenges head-on, demonstrating the strength and care that define this community. Swannanoa Communities Together (SCT) emerged as a grassroots initiative focused on supporting those impacted by the storm and creating a community built by all of us, for all of us.
Swannanoa Valley, a region in Black Mountain, North Carolina, is located just 15 miles east of Asheville. The storm left the Swannanoa Valley reeling, with devastating floods and landslides displacing hundreds of households and wiping out homes, gardens, and neighborhoods. Among the most severely affected were renters, people without secure housing, and families already navigating systemic barriers. Amid the destruction, neighbors sheltered one another, shared food and water, and provided care and support where it was needed most.
“We’re walking and driving through the landscape of trauma every day,” remarked Beth Trigg, one of SCT’s founders. Yet, in the face of overwhelming loss, the community mobilized, pooling skills and resources to meet immediate survival needs and lay the groundwork for recovery.
Today, SCT is a community-led organization responding to the needs of Swannanoa Valley residents and those displaced by the storm. Operating from a former hair salon transformed into a vibrant community hub, SCT is led by staff members Mary, Kim, and Carmen—each of whom has experienced the trauma of disaster firsthand. A diverse team of community volunteers powers SCT’s work, extending support into neighborhoods and deepening its impact. Their top priority is addressing housing for the displaced while also focusing on basic needs like utilities and transportation. SCT ensures services and support are accessible in Spanish, reflecting their commitment to serving all members of the community equitably.
SCT’s mission is rooted in collaboration, listening, and learning. “Together, we organize and advocate for Swannanoa's future to be built by all of us, for all of us,” Mary explains. By bringing people together to support one another and access resources, SCT fosters the kind of solidarity that transforms communities in times of crisis and beyond.
Please join us in supporting their work—a beautiful reminder of what’s possible in the face of crisis when a community pools its skills, resources, and compassion to build something lasting and meaningful.
