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Last Call! WNC Residents Urged To Take Advantage of FREE Trauma-Informed Programming For Helene Recovery

Last Call! WNC Residents Urged To Take Advantage of FREE Trauma-Informed Programming For Helene Recovery

by | May 18, 2026 | Resources for Resilience

With their large funding stream scheduled to end at the end of June, Resources For Resilience is urging residents to register for this free programming now, while space remains available.

Asheville-based nonprofit, Resources For Resilience, is calling on community members across Western North Carolina to take advantage of their final weeks of FREE resiliency workshops, trainings, and community events.

Supported by over $2 million in state and regional funding, these offerings have already reached more than 8,500 residents across the 25 counties most impacted by Hurricane Helene. Since the storm, RFR has delivered hundreds of these no‑cost trainings designed to help individuals, families, and frontline professionals regulate stress, strengthen connection, and build long‑term emotional resilience.

Thanks to support from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Vaya Health, and the WNC Recovery Office, Resources For Resilience has been able to provide these programs at no cost since June 2025. When this funding ends at the end of June 2026, RFR will return to a model supported by smaller grants, private contracts, and individual payments.

Resources for Resilience is a nonprofit founded in 2017 to help individuals, teams,  families, and communities build practical skills for emotional regulation, stress management, and burnout prevention. We believe resilience grows through shared connection and learning science-backed, accessible tools that anyone can use in moments of stress.

Why This Matters Now

For many across Western North Carolina, the emotional and physical impacts of Hurricane Helene continue long after the storm. Resources For Resilience provides simple, evidence‑based practices that help people calm their bodies, recognize overwhelm, and respond in healthier ways — without the need for therapy, specialized training, or complex programs.

These programs are especially beneficial for first responders, educators, healthcare workers, caregivers, and essential service providers — groups most vulnerable to burnout and chronic stress. These tools can be used in any setting, including workplaces, homes, classrooms, crisis response, and everyday life.

Current offerings are designed to address the significant stress residents continue to experience, providing practical, research‑supported strategies that help individuals regain steadiness, strengthen regulation skills, and support collective recovery across the region.

This work underscores the importance of consistent attention to mental well‑being, enabling people to build skills they can rely on in any environment. Recovery is strengthened through small, sustained moments of care, connection, and appropriate support, particularly during periods of heightened stress.

From our Executive Director

Resources for Resilience has one simple goal: to help people feel steadier, safer, and more connected in their everyday lives. 

Our organization was founded back in 2017, years before Helene came along. And over the years, we’ve noticed how interest and demand in our programming seems to skyrocket after these big traumatic events, like the pandemic, and then the storm. We just surpassed the 30,000 mark of individuals served, and nearly 20% of that occured just in the last 18 months since Helene. We observe real growth during the most challenging times, which tells us that we’re meeting a real need for the communities we serve.

Our programming provides very simple, practical nervous‑system regulation tools — things you can actually use in real moments of stress. We share them in an accessible way that feels judgement-free and welcoming to all, which is especially helpful for audiences who do not have any formal mental health training or background.

These practices aren’t clinical or complicated; they’re simply skills that help people breathe easier, think more clearly, and reconnect with themselves and each other when it matters most.

These programs have been really helpful for the individuals and groups we serve because they create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and not alone in what they’re carrying. Teachers tell us they’re calmer in the classroom. First responders say they can reset after tough calls. Parents share that they finally have tools to help their kids (and themselves) through overwhelming moments. It’s this kind of ripple effect that has the ability to strengthen whole communities.

Since Helene, the progress has been real and visible. We’re teaching people how to find their footing again after months of uncertainty. People are starting to believe, and see first-hand, that healing is possible — not because everything is magically fixed (as we know, it’s not) but because they now have tools that help them move through hard moments instead of getting stuck in them.

We’re incredibly honored to have had such a big year of growth through the GROW-NC project and our partnership with NC DHHS and Vaya Health. This collaboration has allowed us to bring free, trauma‑informed programming to communities across Western North Carolina at a scale we’ve never reached before.

As this regional initiative wraps up after June, we’re holding onto hope that this is not the last time we’ll be able to offer no-cost programming. With future funding and strategic partnerships , we believe that we’ll be able to offer these opportunities again and continue making resilience tools available to everyone who needs them.

Ann DuPre Rogers

Resources For Resilience, Executive Director

Last Call For These No‑Cost Events!

Resources For Resilience is offering programming both in person at select locations across the high-country, and in convenient virtual formats so anyone can tune in from their home or office.

Name Dates Description Location
Community Listening Circle

May 20

May 27

June 3

June 10

June 17

 1-hour session to connect and practice regulation tools in real-time Virtual
Reconnecting Through Hard Times*

May 21

May 28

June 4

June 11

June 18

 1-hour training to learn tools to help others de-stress Virtual
Reconnect for Resilience

 

May 21 & 22

June 16 & 17

 2-day in-depth training to learn how stress affects the brain & body, and simple tools to regulate Virtual
Reconnect for Better Days June 5 1-hour webinar to learn tools to help yourself de-stress Virtual
Leading Through Hard Times

June 4

June 11

 1-day professional development workshop for leaders

Blowing Rock, NC -Watauga County

Canton, NC – Haywood County
Recharging Resilience June 10 1-day professional development workshop for service workers & providers Spindale, NC -Rutherford County
Resilient Family Adventure June 13 3-hour family-friendly event with hands-on activities

Marshall, NC –

Madison County

Interested participants can learn more and register for these programs at the links below:

*Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available for select events through Area L AHEC.

Stay Connected

As we round out the final weeks of our GROW NC Project, we want to thank all of our partners, volunteers, and participants who have made this work possible this past year.  While our services will transition back to an affordable paid model after June, we look forward to the next chapter ahead.

Our mission, our values, our vision, and our dedication to building resilience remain as strong as ever. If you’re seeking tools for steadiness, connection, and well‑being, we’re here for you! Please follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop on what’s to come!

 

“Now is the moment to take advantage of these offerings,” Rogers emphasized. “While this level of fully-free access will be ending for the forseeable future, we’ve been doing this work since 2017, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Mental Health Matters: What the Data Reveals

Mental Health Matters: What the Data Reveals

by | May 12, 2026 | Current Events, Resources for Resilience

Mental Health: a dynamic state of psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing that enables people to cope with stress, cultivate relationships, realize potential, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, a time to reflect on our wellbeing as individuals and as a collective.

Mental health is complex as it is not only shaped by our genetics, but also the world around us: our access to basic resources, safety and support, our sense of purpose, as well as our relationships with others. All of these factors inevitably influence how we think, feel, connect, work, and cope with life, whether we’re at home, at work, or in our communities.

But awareness alone is not enough. Small actions matter when it comes to cultivating mental health in ourselves and others.

Nearly 1 in 2 people globally now see mental health as their country’s biggest health problem. In 2018, it was 1 in 4.

Mental Health By the Numbers

According to the 2025 Ipsos Health Service Report, which collected responses from 23,274 adults across 34 countries, mental health has become a central concern for adults – even above physical health concerns like disease, substance abuse, and more.

  • 45% of people worldwide identify mental health as top concern.
  • 44% of Americans aged 18–34 say they feel stress or anxiety on most days.
According to a global survey, mental health has overtaken cancer as the world’s most cited health concern, rising from 27% in 2017 to 45% in 2024.

    Barriers to Access

    According to the CDC, from 2019 to 2023, the percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment in a year span had increased from 19% to 24%. This shows that growing awareness, reduced stigma, and increased willingness to prioritize mental wellbeing.

    Unfortunately many people still face obstacles when trying to get professional mental health care. The data shows that while people are more willing to talk about mental health, structural challenges continue to limit access.

    • 49% of Americans say cost is the biggest barrier to mental health care, while 28% cite limited availability.
    • 36% of global respondents report that mental health services are either too expensive or too scarce.
    The data makes it clear: mental health has become a societal priority. Awareness is strong, but the next step is ensuring that professional care is actually accessible, affordable, and tailored to people’s needs.  

    The Good News

    One of the most promising trends is the growing comfort people feel discussing mental health. This is a huge step forward in continuing to reduce stigma.

    People are also learning to become their own health advocates by seeking help in more flexible, self-directed ways including wellness tech, apps, online therapy, and other digital platforms.

    • 57% of US respondents say they can talk about mental health with friends or family. Worldwide, that number is 52% (up from 46% in 2023.)
    The keys to strengthening mental wellbeing: moving the body more, staying connected to others, improving communications and support systems at home and work, and asking for help.

    Looking Forward

    Mental wellbeing isn’t just about coping as an individual— it’s about connection, empathy, understanding, and shared progress. It’s about COMMUNITY.

    When we talk, listen, and support each other, we don’t just reduce stigma — we build a healthier, more understanding world for all.

    As the data shows, awareness alone isn’t enough. People need practical tools, supportive relationships, and accessible ways to regulate their nervous systems in the face of stress, uncertainty, and change.

    That’s where Resources For Resilience steps in.  We are helping to address the global mental health crisis by providing practical, accessible tools that people can use anytime, anywhere to stay grounded and recover from stress.

    Our evidence‑informed practices, and trauma‑aware education programs help strengthens people’s capacity to support themselves, and one another, thereby reducing the burden on chronically overwhelmed mental‑health systems.

    By teaching skills that make regulation possible even in the most challenging moments, we’re working to ensure that resilience isn’t just an idea, but a lived experience. Want to get involved?

    Thank you for being a part of the solution to reduce the stigma around mental health. Together we’re strengthening our resilience, one connection and one community at a time.

    Resources for Resilience is helping to mitigate the global mental health crisis by facilitating conversation and practices that reduce stigma, and empower people of all ages to be their own health advocates. We are helping communities build resilience from the ground up.

     

    OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES:

    Resources For Resilience Named 2026 Recipient of ‘Good Health Good Business’ Award

    Resources For Resilience Named 2026 Recipient of ‘Good Health Good Business’ Award

    by | May 4, 2026 | Resources for Resilience

    Resources For Resilience is proud to announce that we are the recipients of the 2026 Good Health Good Business’ Award from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce.

     

    This award recognizes Chamber-member organizations that demonstrate service and exceptional leadership which have resulted in improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of the Asheville area through strategic partnerships, employee wellness initiatives, and other valuable community programming.

    “At Resources For Resilience, we believe that everyone has the ability to deepen their resilience and experience better days. That is why we offer a variety of evidence-informed and resiliency-focused training programs to help individuals, organizations stay healthy and connected during tough times.” says Ann Dupre Rogers, our Executive Director and one of the organization’s key founders.

    “These practical tools and strategies help to support people to regulate stress in real time, to build emotional resilience and stay grounded during high‑pressure moments,” Dupre noted. “Participants often share these tools with their families, coworkers and community groups, creating a ripple effect of calm, resilience and healthier interactions throughout Asheville.”

    Below is a transcript of the small, informal award presentation that occured on May 1st at the ‘Asheville Chamber Challenge’ event:

    Kit Cramer, President & CEO of Asheville Chamber of Commerce: This award is for a business or organization who goes above and beyond in promoting wellness, both for their employees and for the community at large. This year, Mission Health, our ‘Good Health Good Business’ award sponsor, along with Eaton and Givens communities, reviewed the nominations we received and selected our award winner. I’d like to call on Annie Carpenter, Annie Carpenter, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at Mission Health to present the award. Please join me in welcoming her.

    Annie Carpenter, AVP of Community Engagement at Mission Health:  Thanks, everybody. My name is Annie. I’m so happy to be here today on this beautiful day, as we’re kicking off the month together. Today is May Day. It’s also Stroke Awareness month in May. And at Mission Health, we know that the best way to prevent stroke is by prevention through lifestyle and all of those (healthy habits) that the Chamber is inspiring today by getting us out here on a beautiful day to move together. So congratulations for taking care of yourself, and your future self, today. Did you know it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month? That is another wonderful cause that I am proud to support through this ‘Good Health Good Business’ award, because this year, it is going to someone that happened to provide me personally with some resilience skills that I use to this day.

    The organization I am presenting this award to today is very meaningful to me because I learned about terms like ‘flipping my lid’ and the ‘reptilian brain’ and how to help get my children, or myself, back ‘online’ when I am feeling very stressed. And I’m not kidding, I think it changed my life. I’m pretty serious about that. So what I get to do today is tell you a little bit about the organization who is winning this award, and  share a little bit about some of the wonderful things that they have done this past year, and continue to do.

    Within their organization staff can spend one hour each day engaging in physical activity of their choice. They begin every staff meeting with a brief rapid reset or moment of connection. After every five years of employment, staff can take a one month sabbatical.  As you can see, it’s pretty clear that they value the wellness and well being of their employees.

    For the community, they offer FREE workshops, trainings and other community events offering emotional care and practical tools. Their signature workshops help individuals build personalized resilience plans that support both self care and overall well being. They also offer Resilient Family Adventures, an interactive, hands on experience where families learn practical resilience skills together in fun, memorable and easy to apply ways.

    Within days of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in WNC, the Resources for Resilience team had boots on the ground for in-person crisis response, supplying dozens of hours of support at emergency centers, community hubs, and distribution sites. Since then, they’ve continued to provide resilience-focused support for healing and recovery, with a special focus on supporting those most at risk for burnout: first responders, educators, healthcare workers, behavioral health providers and volunteers. So on behalf of Mission Health, your hospital partner, I’m very proud to present the ‘Good Health Good Business’ award to Resources for Resilience!

    Ashley Putnam, Director of Programs & Partnership: Thank you, I’m crying.  It’s so sweet to know that over so many years, you remember the tools. That’s what we want.  We truly, I feel like do walk the walk. We can’t get out and teach the stress management skills and talk about being in your resilient zone and supporting your own wellness, if we’re not doing that internally with our team. And so every part of our conversation, daily, weekly, is really rooted in connection and wellness of our staff. We are committed to wellness, to resilience, internally as well as externally, with our communities. So I would love for everybody to check out our website, join a training, join a family event. We all deserve better days. We all have resilience. We just gotta sometimes tap into it a little more. Thank you for this award. We’re so, so honored.

     

     

    Thank you to all of our funders, partners, staff, and volunteers who make this work possible. We are grateful for the recognition that our small organization is making a BIG impact in the community, and we look forward to continuing for years to come.