Democratic Women of Buncombe County

10/29/2025

10/14/2025

09/28/2025

09/28/2025

This morning I’m thinking of what Pattie Gonia refers to in the intersectional work of economic justice and climate justice, of what Dan Savage noted during the AIDs epidemic: We mourn in the morning, we fight in the afternoon, we dance at night.

I’m so grateful to be in our community today as we celebrate Pride in Asheville on the day we remember those we lost to Helene in Western North Carolina. May love fuel the continued struggle for our collective liberation with healing as our focus, resiliency our goal, and equity our demand for how to get there, and may the celebrations along the way fuel our commitment to take better care of each other and our mountain home!

09/13/2025

09/11/2025

This month, our community will pause to remember, grieve, and honor the bonds we forged together after Helene.

Upcoming events commemorating one year since Helene include:
- Come Hell or High Water Project (Sept. 22–27)
- Town of Woodfin Gathering (Sept. 18)
- Swannanoa Community Altar (Sept. 20–29)
- Film Screening: “Swannanoan Silt” (Sept. 20)
- Day of Community & Resilience (Sept. 23)
- Post-Helene Symposium (Sept. 24–26)
- Heroes of Helene (Sept. 25)
- River Blessings & Art Shows (Sept. 26–28)
- Primal Scream Club (Sept. 26)
- Still Strong – Fairview United (Sept. 27)
- Swannanoa Gatherings & River Blessing (Sept. 27)
- Reunion Concert (Sept. 27)
- Community Tree Giveaway (Sept. 27)
- Community Remembrance & Resilience Day (Sept. 27)
- Celebrate Resiliency in Weaverville (Sept. 27)
- Climate Change & Social Justice Forum (Sept. 27)
- Biltmore Forest Commemoration (Sept. 27)
- Bee Tree Candlelight Vigil (Sept. 27)
- Anniversary Concert (Sept. 27)
- Historic Preservation in the Wake of Helene (Sept. 30)
- Stronger Than the Storm Celebration (Oct. 2)

👉 Find full details, locations, and times at the link in our bio. Keep checking back—new events will be added to the page!

07/17/2025

07/17/2025

Today, we held our monthly Community Briefing which covered Tropical Storm Helene updates, including important recovery resources available to the community.

Key Updates:
- The declaration of a Local Emergency that began ahead of Tropical Storm Helene’s landfall has been terminated as of June 30. Buncombe County remains committed to guiding recovery with survivors’ priorities and needs in mind.

- Private Property Debris Removal is underway on 234 properties and is expected to finish by August.

- Five river parks – Bent Creek, Glen Bridge, Corcoran Paige, Ledges Whitewater, and Hominy Creek – have reopened.

- Engineering and design work is underway for Charles D. Owen Park and the Hominy Creek peninsula.

- Envision Buncombe Survey Results were shared.

Learn more by clicking the link in our bio.

Resources for Homeowners and Survivors:
- Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program: This program offers repairs, stick-built reconstruction, manufactured home replacement, and reimbursement.

- Energy Saver NC: Qualifying households can receive up to $16,000 in energy efficiency rebates for upgrades such as insulation, energy-efficient HVAC systems, heat pump water heaters, and more.

- North Carolina Disaster Case Management: A free program connecting survivors with a dedicated case manager to guide them through their unique recovery needs.

- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Aimed at long-term resilience through property elevation, buyouts, and improvements to prevent future damage.

- Private Roads and Bridges Program: The state is beginning with Phase 1 of the Private Roads and Bridges project, which includes placing rail cars as bridges. Phase 2 will be focused on bridges that are more involved and require construction. Phase 3 will be focused on roads.

- Homeowner Grant Program: Applications for the 2025 program open July 15 through Sept. 30. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $500 to cover housing-related costs like property tax bills, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance.

To learn more about these programs and get the full recap from today’s Community Briefing, click the link in our bio or visit the Helene Resources page on our website.

06/13/2025

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫶

The League will continue to fight for and support the LGBTQIA+ community, not just during Pride Month but all year long.