FWRD Transylvania

09/27/2026

Two years after Hurricane Helene, the numbers still stop us in our tracks:
108 lives lost.
$60 billion in damage.
73,000 homes damaged or destroyed.
Thousands of roads and bridges washed out, closed, or left impassable.

Behind every number are people, families, and communities whose lives changed in a matter of hours. And while much has been rebuilt, recovery didn’t end when the debris was cleared, or the headlines moved on.

Here in Transylvania County, FWRD has spent the past two years helping neighbors navigate the long road home—connecting people with resources, coordinating partners, solving problems that don’t fit neatly into a program or timeline, and staying with families as their needs evolve.

We’ve seen extraordinary progress. We’ve also seen how long recovery really takes. Two years later, the work continues. And so do we. Thank you to every partner, funder, volunteer, and neighbor who has helped keep Transylvania County moving FWRD. 💚 Learn more + support the work: gofwrd.org/2years

09/24/2026

Two years after Hurricane Helene, recovery is moving FWRD. 💚

Virginia’s story reminds us why we exist—and what’s possible when a community stays with its neighbors for the long haul.

As we mark two years, we’re grateful for every partner, volunteer, and supporter who has stood beside us.

Learn more: gofwrd.org/2years

Thank you to our funding partners: American Red Cross, Dogwood Health Trust, North Carolina Community Foundation, and Week of Compassion and to our MANY local and regional partners.

09/21/2026

FWRD is all about collaboration. 💚

Long-term recovery doesn’t happen through one organization— it takes strong partnerships, shared resources, and a community working together.

We’re excited to be part of PHF’s Collaboration Lab on October 23 and to share a little about what collaboration looks like in FWRD’s work across the community.

Collaboration doesn’t just happen— it takes intention, trust, and the right structure.

Join Pisgah Health Foundation and Dogwood Health Trust for a Collaboration Lab: Building Partnerships That Last, a practical morning designed for nonprofit and community leaders who want to build stronger, more sustainable partnerships.

We’ll dig into practical tools, hear local examples of collaboration in action, and make space to connect with others doing the work.

📅 October 23 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
📍 Mary C. Jenkins Community & Cultural Center

Free to attend, but registration is required: https://pisgahhealthfoundation.org/news/collaboration-lab

Ready to turn ideas into sustainable action? Join us!

09/20/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲! 💚

Two local families received complete household furniture through the American Red Cross “𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐱” program, made possible through the support of Disaster Services Corporation. This assistance is helping families rebuild their homes and move forward after disaster.

The day also brought an important focus on preparedness. WNC Red Cross Executive Director 𝗔𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗮𝘆 of FWRD Transylvania partnered with The Boys + Girls Club of Transylvania County to present a preparedness workshop to more than 50 club members.

From helping families rebuild to empowering the next generation with the knowledge to prepare for emergencies, Thursday was a great example of what can happen when our community works together.

𝐀 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬, 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐲𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 & 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛, and everyone who continues to support our community! 🏠❤️

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

09/18/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Keagan Monteith as FWRD Transylvania’s new Executive Director, beginning October 1! 💚

Born and raised in Transylvania County, Keagan brings deep community roots, experience with the Brevard Fire Department, and firsthand knowledge of FWRD’s recovery work through his service as a disaster case manager.

Keagan will work alongside Mick Galloway as FWRD continues supporting our neighbors through long-term recovery— while building a more prepared, connected, and resilient Transylvania County.

🔗 Read more about Keagan and what’s ahead for FWRD: https://gofwrd.org/fwrd-welcomes-keagan-monteith-as-executive-director/

09/17/2026

09/04/2026

Creating a family disaster plan goes far beyond putting together an emergency supply kit. It’s about knowing how your family will communicate, where you’ll go, what you’ll need, and how you’ll stay connected when disaster strikes.

If you’d like to download a full copy of this family disaster plan and other preparedness resources, visit the link in the comments.

Take a few minutes today to create your family’s plan because preparedness starts before disaster happens. 🏠📋

This month, we’re partnering with the The City of Brevard, North Carolina, Transylvania County Schools, Transylvania County to share simple, practical tips to help our community prepare for disasters and build resilience. Thank you, Strongward, for providing this wonderful resource!

09/01/2026

🤝 Stronger together!

The City of Brevard, North Carolina, Transylvania County Schools, Transylvania County, and FWRD are teaming up for a September Preparedness Social Campaign!

All month long, we’ll be sharing simple, practical tips to help you and your family prepare, stay resilient, and be ready for whatever comes our way. This collaboration is a great example of what we can accomplish when our community partners work together to reach more people and build a stronger, more prepared community.

📲 FOLLOW US all September long for preparedness and resilience tips!

09/01/2026

🎉 What a great day at our Community Resource Fair! 🎉

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out and to the 24 incredible organizations who showed up to share resources, connect with neighbors, and support our community! 💚

We’re so grateful for the collaboration, energy, and commitment to making Transylvania County stronger, more connected, and more prepared.

Thank you for showing up for our community! 🙌❤️

08/31/2026

🥁 Drum rolllllll... 🥁

Congratulations to Zach, the winner of our solar power generator giveaway at last Saturday's Community Resource Fair! 🎉⚡

Thank you, Lowe's Home Improvement Brevard, for co-sponsoring the generator. We appreciate your generosity!

Thank you to everyone who joined us, connected with our amazing community partners, and took steps to become more prepared. We loved seeing so many neighbors come together for a fun and informative day!

Stay tuned for more community events and preparedness opportunities!