News and Updates

October 25, 2024

Fall Festival this Wednesday, October 30th!

We will have an outdoor Fall Festival this Wednesday, October 30th, from 10-12:30!

Join us for games, treats, pumpkin painting, and a cookout. Feel free to dress up. If you have decorations, games, or activities you would like to share, contact Companion Coordinator Laura.

Haywood Street Community Development Interest List

If you'd like to be added to the interest list for Haywood Street Community Development, please use this link or scan the QR code below. By adding your name to this list, you will receive information regarding construction progression, application availability, and any other updates.

Ways to Support Haywood Street Respite

While we have received a generous amount of donations for our community and for our friends in Respite, nothing replaces a hot dinner! If you would like to sign up to provide a meal for our Respite friends, you can do so on our meal train HERE.

If you're interested in bringing breakfast/lunch/brunch or finding other ways to plug into respite, contact Jenny or visit the Haywood Street Respite Wishlist on our website.

Companion Orientation Monday, November 4th

The next companion orientation will be Monday, November 4th, at 5:00. We'll meet in the sanctuary. Please invite your friends and family to join if they are interested in becoming a companion!

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Soup & Support on Tuesday November 12th

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) invited community members to join them on Tuesday November 12th from 5pm-7pm (drop-in) for a warm dinner and community connections. Community members will gather to share a meal, share hope, and begin to heal from our community's recent challenges. There will be peer facilitators and ongoing resources available. There is no cost, but registration is kindly requested.

Please email info@namiwnc.org or call NAMI at (828) 505-7353. Location - AmeriHealth 216 Asheland Avenue, Asheville.

Fall Fest Excitement and other updates

Friends and Companions,

Preparing for the Fall Fest next Wednesday has brought some excitement to what has otherwise been an overwhelming month! We're so excited to gather together for fun and fellowship as we play games, paint pumpkins, and share a meal and some apple cider!

The Fall Fest will be in the parking lot again, but the main floor will open for the hair salon, community paramedics, restrooms, and worship!

As a reminder, we're taking a break from accepting emergency supplies (food, water, cleaning supplies, clothes, etc.) to prioritize cleaning and emptying the dining rooms in anticipation of our community meals returning inside.

Other updates regarding our wishlist, schedule, and plans moving forward will continue to be included on our website HERE.

We hope to see you on Wednesday!

~Haywood Street Congregation

Our companions on Wednesday were thrilled to share the grill with our chef friend, J. Chong! Thank you, J, for showing up and supporting this community!



Jinnia, our in-house chef, prepared an incredible lunch! We had Grilled Chicken Legs, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Butternut Squash, Hummus, and Pita.

Music played happily from the grilling station on Wednesday, and Rachel and Joseph wasted no time taking advantage of the atmosphere it created. Even when a disruption affects our lives, there's always a place for joy and connection.

A witness to include the most excluded, Haywood Street not only welcomes every child of God–especially sisters and brothers 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.