Post Helene Update – CFRC is here for our community

by Jamie Wiener, Executive Director

I hope that everyone is slowly recovering and finding some small moments of peace amid the tumult and sadness of this collective disturbance.

Our team is all safe and accounted for and we are incredibly fortunate to have the most amazing staff. We had an all-hands meeting last week to share feelings, thoughts, and concerns. There is no one else I would rather work with every day.

During our initial response phase, our team checked on each other and worked on connecting with clients. We also rerouted staff to volunteer at the county’s distribution sites and other community resource centers to help alleviate their burdens.

We opened our doors as soon as we had power on Sunday, September 29th, and have since served hundreds of families in so many ways. We collected and distributed activity kits for children of all ages in the shelters, isolated families, our GLO Mobile neighborhoods, and the Town of Fletcher where we had to cancel our Art in the Park. We also assisted folks with their first-time FEMA Applications.

This week, CFRC is continuing its focus on diapers, wipes, and formula to the community, including our child care providers, as well as providing car seat replacements and safe sleep surfaces in response to losses from Hurricane Helene.

We are also in the “business” of parent support, and our team has quickly mobilized to provide a variety of connection opportunities:

– Circle of Parents support group meets every Wednesday at CFRC at 5:30 pm (child care and meal provided).

– Spanish-speaking Circle of Parents meets every Tuesday at 10 am (child care and snacks provided).

– GLO Mobile is back on the road! Check our Facebook and website to see where they’re headed next.

– Triple P individual sessions allow caregivers to connect with highly trained parent educators who are also therapists to troubleshoot specific situations in a more personal and private manner. Just call the center for more details at 828-698-0674.

Henderson County also has an thorough list of crisis service lines and recovery supports. Henderson County Behavioral Health & Recovery Resources – Helene Response | Henderson County North Carolina (hendersoncountync.gov)

This is an unprecedented time that we are all experiencing differently. I have grappled with the dualities of immense gratitude and deep sadness for the loss of so many safe places. Please be gentle with each other and with yourself. There is no quick recovery for this type of thing. We are here to lend a listening ear and provide a safe place to provide connection.

Many people have asked how to help, and the response has been overwhelming. If you come in and see the generosity of our community and those in the surrounding areas, you will be amazed at the bounty in our halls, conference room, admin area, and ELC.

We’ve set up a way to give if you feel led or have friends who want to help. CFRC will be here for the long haul, and we know our families will continue to have needs. You are welcome to donate to CFRC’s general fund to be used where it is needed most or you can designate it to something specific we are collecting for distribution.

Thank you all for being here for us on this journey moving forward.