News and Updates

July 3, 2026

Haywood Street Respite - A Space for New Beginnings

The first newsletter of each month is dedicated to Haywood Street Respite. Respite is a core ministry of Haywood Street that provides a place of rest and healing for friends who are unhoused after they experience an acute illness or injury. Since 2014, we have had the privilege of being in intentional community with over 1,300 friends.

As Respite enters its second decade of growth, construction is underway to double the size of the space connected to the church. The number of available beds will increase from 12 to 25. We continue to refine our work serving vulnerable community members through respite care integrated with behavioral healthcare. In the fall of 2025, Haywood Street Respite received certification from the National Institute for Medical Respite Care.

Respite Construction Photos

Last week, Erika, Laura, Brian, and Laurie hosted partners from Buncombe County for a tour of Respite expansion construction. It was a worthwhile time to not only see all the progress that has been made, but also to share the Respite story as the ministry moves into its second decade. Spending time on the new floor was especially impactful. We are grateful for everyone - public, private, and individual support of Respite's work.

Respite Receives Grant from Buncombe County

Buncombe County has awarded Haywood St. Respite a $150,000 Safety Net and Behavioral Health Maintenance of Effort Grant for its 2026-2027 fiscal year, which begins this July 1. These grants are intended to increase healthcare access for vulnerable populations including unhoused residents. A particular focus is community members with behavioral health challenges including mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

With grant funds – which may be renewed for two additional years – we will be adding licensed healthcare coverage on Saturday and Sunday to ensure 7-day-per-week clinical monitoring and post-acute support. We will also be contracting with a Medical Director to support our staff and strengthen clinical coordination between Respite and our healthcare partners.

We are grateful to Buncombe County for this vote of confidence in Haywood Street Respite.

We recently received at $5,000 grant from local healthcare provider EmergeOrtho. We appreciate their partnership - not only because of the grant but because many friends at Respite receive care from their medical teams. We are honored that they recognized Haywood St. in this significant way. Thank you EmergeOrtho!

Applicants may email a cover letter and resume or mail applications to

PO Box 2982, Asheville, NC 28802. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please apply by July 13th.

Opportunities to

Support Respite:

Companions, please make sure to use the updated July Sign Up Sheet below.

It helps us to plan well in caring for our friends.

Views from Respite's Top Floor

Weekly Ministry Opportunities at Haywood Street:

Tuesday Prayer Group: 12:30 p.m. Gather for a time of communal prayer at Respite's Brevard Rd location.

Tuesday Book Club: Beginning on April 7th, Book Club will be meeting at Lady Gloria Ridge at 1:00 pm.

Wednesday Downtown Welcome Table: Join us for lunch between 10:00-12:00 or help with clean-up from 1:00-3:00. Click here for the DWT sign up.

Art Ministry: Due to construction, Art in the Alley can be found either in Room 4 or outside depending on the weather and other programming.

Haywood Street Salon: Open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Wednesday Worship: 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Weekly Sermons

Read the weekly sermons on our website here.

~Preaching Schedule~

July 8

Pastor Seth

July 15

Sheneika Smith

July 22

Pastor Brian

Fresco Viewing Hours:

Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 2 pm (with the exception of during our worship service, which is 12:30 pm every Wednesday).

Contact April if you would like to make an appointment to see the Fresco outside of those hours.

Faces & Stories

The Ball Is Rolling

An Interview with Enoch

by April N., Lead Storyteller

As Enoch and I visited, the Respite dining room was buzzing with activity. Mia and Doug were getting to know one another over coloring pages and pastries. Someone needed help with the television so that they could finish watching a movie. Penny and Rachel were returning from a grocery store run. Through it all Enoch was a steady anchor, distracted enough to be helpful, but not so much that the thread of his story and our conversation was lost. In between telling me about his scholarship to run track at App State and his own plumbing business in Fayetteville, he helped get the television sorted. He paused later to tell a new friend about the common lounge area upstairs where everyone was welcome.

Maybe it’s because he has been at Respite for several weeks now and knows the lay of the land. More likely it’s because of his nature - a humble blend of kindness, humor, and wisdom - seeing what others might not. I imagine that when he reads this he’ll laugh out loud and make a joke about how he’s got me fooled.

Continue reading...

A witness to include the most excluded, Haywood Street not only welcomes every child of God–especially beloved siblings of every mental illness and physical disability, addiction and diagnosis, living condition and employment status, gender identity and sexual orientation, class, color, and creed–but we celebrate your presence, certain that the kingdom of God is coming closer because you are here.