When Hurricane Helene swept through our community, it left more than physical devastation—it disrupted lives, businesses, and livelihoods. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, families in our community are facing unimaginable challenges, and their children’s education hangs in the balance. For these families, the storm’s impact goes beyond financial loss; it disrupts the very foundation of their children’s education and well-being.
Why Education Matters Now More Than Ever
School provides more than just academics—it offers structure, support, and hope. For kids reeling from the emotional and financial impacts of a natural disaster, staying in school is critical to maintaining a sense of normalcy and continuing their development.
But for many families, the financial strain caused by Hurricane Helene has made it hard to cover the basics, let alone focus on their children’s education. Jobs have been lost, homes damaged, and savings depleted. At Asheville Farmstead School, we believe in standing by our families, offering them the stability and support they need to move forward.
Our Community Response
Here is how we have already supported not only our families, but also our staff in the wake of Hurricane Helene. First and foremost we worked swiftly to account for everyone and make sure they had access to basic necessities. We then quickly turned the school into a community resource center as well as deployed staff in the community to volunteer. As a community resource center we provided; power, potable water, hot showers, a safe place for kids to play, access to wifi (to work, fill out FEMA and aid paperwork), and worked with organizations to receive supply donations that we could give out or help transport to more needed areas. A number of our families also worked tirelessly in the community moving water and resources around.
As a school we were able to offer to families in need the ability to waive October’s tuition invoices for families while still paying our staff and keeping everyone employed. We also just announced to families that they can opt in to having 50% of their tuition reduced for the upcoming month of December too.
Supporting families during this critical time is not just an act of kindness—it’s an investment in our community’s future. When children stay in school, they gain the tools they need to break the cycle of hardship, no matter what challenges arise.
Join Us in Restoring Stability
Your donation will go directly to supporting the families of Asheville Farmstead School. By helping them regain financial stability, you’re also investing in the success and future of our students. When children stay in school, they gain the tools they need to break the cycle of hardship, no matter what challenges arise. Together, we can ensure that no child’s education is interrupted and no family is left behind in this journey of recovery.
Your Help Can Make the Difference
By donating, you’re giving families the chance to stabilize and keep their kids in school, where they belong. Your contributions would contribute to our Helene Recovery Fund which is helping support our families with tuition assistance. By reducing or eliminating their tuition bill, we can keep more money in our families pockets to rebuild, restock, and stabilize after the Hurricane, while being able to get their children back to school. By donating you not only help our families recover, you are also helping keep five full time staff fully employed and paid. We believe at Asheville Farmstead School this is where we can have the most impact on our staff and families, as well as the WNC economy which has sustained a huge hit.
Will you help us keep kids in school and families on their feet? Every dollar you give provides a lifeline to families and ensures children can continue to thrive despite the hardships they face. Let’s show them they’re not alone—please consider making a donation today to our Helene Recovery fund. You can digitally donate to our fund here. Additionally checks can be sent directly to the school at the address below the signature.
Thank you for believing in the power of education and community support. Thank you for your compassion and generosity. Together, we can rebuild not just homes, but lives and futures.
With heartfelt thanks,
Lauren Roddick-Brown
Asheville Farmstead School
Founder and Executive Director