02/06/2025
Perseverance. Something I (Autumn) find myself saying over and over. “Just keep swimming, even if it’s one family at a time.”
UA has faced insurmountable obstacles as we navigate our new existence & new normal.. and we are not the only one.
We try our best to meet each need, especially the dire ones, and remain responsive, attentive & adaptive however I recognize that we are not perfect, and we have some betterment to complete.
To be frank, I started this organization in direct response to FEMA’s blatant obstruction of the supply trucks that I had coordinated in. It was absolute mayhem the first 7 days and I cannot tell you how many of them were refused entry, or turned around at the state line simply because the trucks were not going to an organization, but rather a grassroots, community led circle that took action during a time of need.
I did what I had to do in order to get the supplies to those who needed it, never did I expect for it all to snowball into what we are today, and though I am eternally grateful and proud of this organization, I am adapting to my new life just as many other relief workers & survivors are doing.
It’s a unique position to be in as both a survivor and relief worker. So I, and many others are learning as we go.
It’s not easy, I mess up, I will never pretend to be perfectly on the ball but I will always promise to do what I can.
With that said, I am in the middle of a move that unexpectedly took a turn so it has now seemingly become my entire identity. I am downsizing more than I ever expected to do and it is a lot more work than I could ever put into words.
Between running supplies, paying for hotels, pairing hotel sponsors with families, emails, logistics, vetting families, packing, being deathly sick, and getting rid of most things I own, I am having trouble managing the ongoing needs of UA and working through the other challenges I am facing in my life.
I should have done this sooner, and for that, I’m sorry.
But our books and submissions will be closed for at least a week, potentially longer.
I need to focus on settling my roots so I can continue to grow this organization.
I’m sorry if I let anyone down, and for my part in lack of follow through and communication in more areas than I’d like to admit over the past 2 weeks. I promise to do better once we get back up and running and I will continue to hold myself accountable on bettering our operations.
If I may ask, please offer us organizers and volunteers some grace. Most of us make 0 income from these efforts, and pay for things on our own dime, while working odd jobs just to pay the bills. My average workday is at least 12 hours and I work through the weekends. It’s not easy.. and things are most definitely messy right now.
And please, remember those of us who lived here before the storm and through the storm, we are also dealing with some untreated trauma and completely upsidedown, and inside out nervous systems.
The majority of us are humans that have never faced this type of disaster before and we are all facing other obstacles in our lives beyond the physical devastation. Helene had a very long, wide and deep impact on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g in our lives.
This is a marathon, not a sprint, and UA has been sprinting for far too long now.
We will be back stronger than ever, but it’s time for us to tend to our wounds.
If you have an emergent situation, as always, please message us 911 and we will get in touch.
If you are losing your fema hotel voucher this weekend, please let us know. We have an army of volunteers and other organizations that are on standby and ready to take you in and help you find shelter.
And lastly, please keep showing up for WNC, and praying for us all. We are doing all that we can.
With love,
A
