In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the staff at Vecinos went above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. With over 800 home visits conducted within the first ten days following the storm’s landfall, Vecinos staff worked diligently to assess the needs of residents across Western North Carolina. What emerged from these assessments were pressing needs for food, essentials, home repairs, income assistance, and more. Vecinos has played a vital role in providing a range of services to support their patients, from replacing essential work tools to helping with rental payments and clothing replacement.

To sustain their outreach efforts, Vecinos will utilize the Health Foundation’s grant to continue providing critical services to those in need. This ongoing support encompasses home repairs, income assistance, utility bill payments, and other vital needs arising from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.

“The Health Foundation’s support of Vecinos enables a comprehensive and adaptable approach to disaster relief and recovery,’ said Marianne Martinez, CEO of Vecinos. “Recognizing that Hurricane Helene exacerbated existing inequities, the Health Foundation is helping us address immediate needs while integrating disaster planning as a core component of our long-term infrastructure. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to building a more resilient community.”