In a concerted effort to aid in the recovery from Hurricane Helene's destruction, Governor Josh Stein, together with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC (GROW NC), has announced a substantial boost in funding for the WNC Thrive initiative, as reported by the Governor's official press release. An additional $3.75 million is steered toward creating new opportunities for children and families across the 22 counties hardest hit to engage in free recreational programs, all while receiving crucial mental health support designed to combat the lingering psychological scars left by the natural disaster.
Aiming to provide a sanctuary from the turmoil wrought by the storm, these programs extend beyond ordinary leisure activities by integrating therapeutic support, Governor Stein affirmed, "This partnership is giving children and families a reprieve from the devastation Hurricane Helene left behind" adding that it’s not just about fun, it's also about healing from the traumatic events, children affected by the hurricane will find not only respite but an avenue to forge new friendships, and receive mental healthcare to support their psychological recovery and NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the department's dedication to long-term care and resource accessibility for those most affected, as per the Governor's official press release.
In this expansion, Trillium Health Resources is set to deploy an additional $2 million to fund weekend and summer respite events, including programs at Henry’s House at Victory Junction—a camp spearheaded by ex-NASCAR driver Kyle Petty that offers adaptive activities for children with complex medical and physical challenges at no cost to their families, according to information obtained by the Governor's official press release. GROW NC’s Director Matt Calabria highlighted the significance of such collaborations, marking these programs as vital support systems on the strenuous path to recovery that many are walking following the hurricane's havoc.
The press release also acknowledged the prior $1.75 million allocated to Vaya Health to bolster the WNC Thrive camps, these camps welcome youths to engage in healing community-centric events—an effort that saw over 1,000 young participants last summer and with the goal of fostering connectivity and resilience, other initiatives by NCDHHS are making strides such as MORES teams giving crisis support to young people and the creation of new co-responder units that couple law enforcement with mental health professionals during emergencies aligning with these ventures are Mobile Opioid Treatment Programs, veteran-oriented assistance, the NC Psychiatric Access Line, and the Hope4NC helpline, which delivers 24/7 support and can be accessed at 1-855-587-3463 for those in need.
The resources are vast, as are the avenues for assistance, whether it be coping with the aftershocks of Helene or dealing with broader issues of mental health and substance abuse; individuals are encouraged to reach out via the North Carolina Crisis Services Website or connect with Spanish-speaking counselors by calling or texting 988 and pressing option 2, for more personalized support the NCDHHS Peer Warmline can be contacted at 1-855-PEERS NC, serving as a link to peers who understand the complexities of recovery and stand ready to aid.
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