Life Transformation happens through your support!

This video was filmed prior to Hurricane Helene with the intention of being shown at our Perfect Love Gala. As we look back on the stories told in it, we wanted to share all God continues to do through our ministry, where we are going in the future, and to spread some hope along the way!

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News Updates

The Refuge Emergency Shelter

"In the LORD I take refuge." Psalm 11:1

On Sunday, November 10th, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) responded to an urgent call for help by stepping in to operate the Emergency Shelter at Gold's Gym on Hendersonville Rd. for the next 8 weeks. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Red Cross, FEMA, City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Novant Health, Vaya Health, and Bear's Smokehouse Grill to address the critical need for emergency shelter following Hurricane Helene's impact on Western North Carolina.

The Red Cross, having operated multiple shelters for those who lost everything due to the disaster, is now shifting its focus to long-term recovery services. In response, WCRM has taken on the responsibility of running a condensed shelter, known as The Refuge, to provide a temporary home for individuals and families in need until December 31st.

Going Beyond Just Shelter: Comprehensive Support for Guests

At The Refuge, WCRM is committed to more than just providing a roof over people’s heads. Our team is working around the clock to ensure essential supportive services are met, including mental health counseling, medical care, employment assistance, transportation, and case management to determine the best next steps for each guest.

"We are honored to collaborate with our community partners to meet this urgent need," said Micheal Woods, Executive Director of WCRM. "Together, we are providing not just shelter, but hope, healing, and a path forward."

How You Can Help

As we embark on this mission, we need your support. Here’s how you can get involved:

Pray for Us: We humbly ask for your prayers for strength, health, and wisdom for our staff and leadership. Please pray for the safety and well-being of our guests and that we can secure long-term housing solutions for them after January 1st.
Volunteer Opportunities: We are seeking volunteers to help serve meals at The Refuge over the next seven weeks. Lunch shifts are from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM, and dinner shifts from 4:45 PM to 6:15 PM. Your time and generosity can make a huge impact on someone's life during this difficult time.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please click the link below to fill out a volunteer application: Volunteer Application

Your prayers, time, and support are essential in helping us make a difference. Thank you for standing with us as we extend compassion and hope to our neighbors in need.

Time is running out to bid on our

Perfect Love Silent Auction

Raising Funds for Life Transformation

Sign up today to support the Perfect Love Gala Silent Auction! Due to the severe impact of Hurricane Helene, we had to indefinitely postpone the event. Bidding is open, and we invite you to join us!

As Western Carolina Rescue Ministries’ largest fundraiser, this auction is crucial for supporting our overnight shelter, addiction recovery programs, and providing over 500 daily meals to those in need.

We are deeply grateful to the artists and supporters who generously donated, even amidst their own challenges from the storm. Your bids will directly support our mission of Rescue, Recovery, and Restoration.

The auction closes Monday, November 18th at 7 PM. Click below to view the catalog and start bidding!

Steps to Bid:

1. Create an account - you will need to Request an Account for this event (even if you were registered last year)

2. Place your bids! You can even use Otto to help you auto-bid!

Otto simply places bids on behalf of a bidder, up to that bidder's established maximum, while adhering to the same rules that a human bidder would be required to follow.

Thank you for your continued support of Western Carolina Rescue Ministries. Your participation in the Silent Auction directly helps us provide life-changing services to those who need it most, especially after Hurricane Helene!

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

Week of Thankfulness

This Thanksgiving, we have an opportunity to love on our neighbors in need. Holidays are especially hard for our residents so we want to come alongside them by offering some extra love and joy in this season. We serve three days of Thanksgiving meals “restaurant style” to our residents and a special Thanksgiving meal to the homeless.

Monday, Nov. 25 - Wednesday, Nov. 27, 4pm-6pm

For questions, contact Amanda Putnam

Higher Ground Clothing Distribution Initiative

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries has launched a new initiative, providing winter clothing and shoes to individuals across Western North Carolina that have lost everything in the Hurricane Helene destruction. As donations have poured into the Western North Carolina region, the Rescue Ministry has been tremendously blessed with clothing donations and we want to use those donations to ensure no one is cold this winter.

Through a partnership with World Vision International, Hearts with Hands, and United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, the initiative's purpose will be to provide winter clothing, shoes, and other needed items across all Counties of Western North Carolina.