By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer
Hurricane Helene, which devastated the southeastern United States in September 2024, left more than 200 lives lost, with 104 of those deaths occurring in North Carolina alone. The storm's damage was catastrophic, with an estimated $80 billion in total losses across the region.
Families have been displaced, homes have been destroyed, and industries like tourism have struggled to recover. The housing crisis has intensified, with an increase in homelessness and fears of evictions as temporary federal housing assistance nears expiration.
While the storm left physical scars on the land, it also sparked a mental health crisis. As survivors try to piece their lives back together, mental health professionals emphasize the critical need for support during this fragile period.
Amid the wreckage, a coalition of leaders and volunteers across the state launched the Sustaining Hope Campaign to offer much-needed support to African American communities who were disproportionately affected by the storm.
Spearheaded by a group of African American leaders, each with independent ties to Western North Carolina, the campaign focuses on providing immediate relief, emotional support, and long-term recovery assistance for communities hardest hit by the storm.
Reverend Yolande Murphy of Arisen Ministry of God Church in Raleigh highlighted a critical gap in relief efforts after the hurricane.
“The name is Sustaining Hope. Hope is the main item we wanted to encourage our brothers and sisters in the western part of the state. That’s foremost before any material things because people don't know where things are gonna come from or how they’re going to make it through,” Murphy said.
The members of Sustaining Hope felt a strong sense of responsibility to help their neighbors, who they felt were being overlooked and ignored.
“I had been praying that God would bless me to take part,” said Evangelist Tammy Watts of New Hope Baptist Church and member of Transformation Ministries. “When we touched ground, I was in disbelief. I just could not believe what we saw months later. We went in November and there was still a lot of devastation on the ground.”
The group quickly recognized that while basic emergency relief efforts were underway, the needs of African American communities were not being fully addressed. This included both material needs like food, clothing, and housing, as well as the emotional and psychological needs of survivors.
There are three key phases of recovery after a crisis: emergent, restoration, and restructuring. The emergent phase focuses on providing immediate relief—food, water, and shelter. As the community's needs evolved, it became clear that more was required, especially in African American communities as the holidays approached.
“Since there was so much destruction, after a hurricane is through with the emergent phase, groups in the community gather to determine the restoration needs,” Murphy explained.
For this reason, the campaign provided essential winter items—socks, hats, blankets—as the colder months set in. The weather in this region can be chilly, snowy, and difficult to navigate. After the Red Cross and electric companies have done their part, the real question is, what do people need now to survive and rebuild?
Apostle Glenda McCorkle, a resident of Hickory, founder and executive director of Shepherd’s Hand Ministry, and member of Transformation Ministries reflected on the overwhelming gratitude from local residents.
“Coming together with Sustaining Hope was very exciting. The people were very grateful to receive what we did bring. There has not been enough news coverage of African American communities and how they were getting along there after the storm,” McCorkle said.
Catawba View Missionary Baptist Church in Old Fort, NC, a half hour east of Asheville, served as a central hub for relief efforts, headed by Pastor Ron Sullivan. The collaboration among churches and community organizations was vital.
“Being the hands that God uses to get his work done on this earth is very close to my heart. And it’s a joy for me to be able to serve,” McCorkle said.
Pastor Jimmy Atkins of True Worship Christian Fellowship in Cary and Kappa Alpha Psi Raleigh chapter alumni, is a key leader in providing temporary relief for long-term recovery.
Atkins, who drove to the relief hub with his two high school sons, also viewed the mission as an opportunity to teach his children about faith, teamwork, and disaster recovery in an all-hands-on-deck effort with a communal focus.
“We had been looking for an opportunity to get involved but didn't know the infrastructure. We donated blankets, clothes, and finances,” Atkins said.
Looking ahead, the Sustaining Hope Campaign plans to revisit the region in February to assess ongoing needs, particularly as the weather improves and the rebuilding process intensifies.
"I think financial donations would be more helpful right now because they have a lot of resources coming in. Hands-on assistance: helping people rebuild, clean, and move,” McCorkle said.
For the leaders and volunteers involved in the Sustaining Hope Campaign, success will not be measured in the number of donations or supplies delivered, but in knowing that they’ve made a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
“Knowing that our presence was there, knowing that people aren’t wondering why they weren’t receiving help, and that there is strength and hope for those families to move forward is what success looks like to me,” Murphy said.
The road to recovery will be long, but with continued efforts like the Sustaining Hope Campaign, there is hope that the African American communities in Western North Carolina will not only rebuild but thrive once again.
