Mountain Projects, Inc.

10/20/2026

🔧 CELEBRATING 5 YEARS — Russell Gaddis!

Please join us in recognizing Russell Gaddis for five years with Mountain Projects Head Start!

Russell helps keep our Head Start facilities safe, functional, and ready for learning. By taking care of maintenance needs and ensuring everything is working as it should, he helps create an environment where teachers can focus on what matters most — supporting our children.

For Russell, the job is about more than maintaining buildings. He takes pride in being part of a program that makes a difference for children and families throughout our community.

Knowing that Head Start provides children with a safe, supportive place to learn and grow makes his work especially rewarding.

Thank you, Russell, for five years of hard work and for helping make our Head Start centers welcoming places for children, families, and staff. We appreciate all you do!

10/19/2026

🌼 THANK YOU, DEBRA - 5 YEARS OF SERVICE! 🌼

Congratulations to Debra Whitaker, Retail Sales Associate at Sylva Linings, who has been an employee with Mountain Projects for five years!

Debra keeps the store looking its best and shares her warmth and kindness with our shoppers. Thank you, Debra, for being a part of the Sylva Linings team!

Sylva Linings is located at 1264 W. Main Street in Sylva. The store accepts donations of gently used household items, clothing, books, and toys for children that we resell in support of our mission to alleviate conditions of poverty.

Thanks to our friends who shop with us and those who are able to donate! We appreciate your participation.

10/18/2026

MEDICAID CHANGES COMING — "A major issue affecting Medicaid and SNAP recipients is the increased paperwork required to enroll or remain enrolled. Not only will they have to provide more documentation — either to prove they are exempt from work requirements or to prove they have worked 80 hours per month — Medicaid and SNAP enrollees must recertify for the program every six months instead of every 12."

Click below to read more. Thank you to The Mountaineer for sharing this important information.

Haywood County nonprofits are bracing for growing demand and finding new ways to fill the gap amid sweeping Medicaid and SNAP changes resulting in some people losing government assistance.

10/16/2026

🌺 CELEBRATING 3 YEARS! Thank you, Maria Crawford! 🌺

This week, we’re recognizing Maria Crawford for three years with Mountain Projects Inc. Head Start ! Maria is currently the Center Director at Fairview Head Start in Sylva.

Maria’s connection to Mountain Projects goes back much further than the past three years. She spent 12 years working with Head Start before moving to Senior Services and later joining the Jackson County Department of Social Services in 2001.

When Maria returned to Mountain Projects Head Start in 2023, she brought decades of experience and a strong commitment to helping children and families thrive. Today, she puts that experience to work supporting the Fairview Head Start team and the families they serve.

One of the things Maria values most about Head Start is its focus on the entire family. By supporting parents and caregivers alongside their children, the program helps families build a strong foundation for the future.

Thank you, Maria, for your years of service and for the experience, care and dedication you bring to Fairview Head Start.

10/16/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Kevin Queen!

Mountain Projects is proud to congratulate Kevin Queen, a weatherization assistant with our Weatherization and Rehab program, on passing his contractor’s exam yesterday!

This accomplishment reflects Kevin’s dedication to his work and his commitment to growing his skills and knowledge in the field.

We appreciate the hard work Kevin puts into serving our community and are excited to see him reach this milestone in his professional journey.

Thank you for your dedication to Mountain Projects and the families we serve. 👏

10/15/2026

Looks like today was a great Apple Fun Day at Mountain Projects Inc. Head Start 🍏 🍎

10/15/2026

CONGRATULATIONS, SOLIEL — 3 Year Anniversary!

Please join us in celebrating Soleil McMahan on her three-year anniversary as a teacher for Mountain Projects Inc. Head Start 🧸✨

Our Head Start teachers do more than care for little ones — they help them grow, explore, and shine!

Every day, they guide their students through key milestones and partner with families to support healthy development at home and in the classroom.

We are so grateful for educators like Miss Soleil, who give their heart and soul to this important work. Thank you for three years of dedication, compassion, and care!

10/14/2026

CELEBRATING 24 YEARS — Thank you, Beth Lewis!

Please join us in recognizing Beth Moody Lewis for 24 years with Mountain Projects!

Beth is the Mountain Projects Inc. Head Start Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Coordinator, and she helps oversee an important part of the Head Start program — ensuring children have access to healthy, nutritious meals each day.

Her work includes coordinating meal deliveries, managing food inventory, and working with kitchen staff to maintain proper food safety, sanitation, and health standards. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays an important role in keeping our Head Start centers running smoothly.

Beth says one of the most rewarding parts of her work has been watching Head Start families grow and succeed over the years.

Thank you, Beth, for 24 years of dedication and for the important role you play in supporting the health and well-being of our Head Start children and families.

10/13/2026

October is Youth Substance Use Prevention Month!

Did you know Mountain Projects works every day to prevent youth substance use in far western North Carolina?

Mountain Strong, a program of Mountain Projects, is focused on reducing substance misuse and building resilience in the seven western counties of North Carolina.

Our Prevention Services team administers a variety of programs to support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in far Western North Carolina, including communications campaigns to prevent underage drinking, youth ma*****na use and va**ng, and prescription drug misuse.

Learn more about the important work we're doing and how you can help at mountainstrongwnc.org.

10/12/2026

LANDLORDS NEEDED!

Mountain Projects is seeking homeowners to help meet the critical housing needs of local families and individuals.

By renting your home through our Section 8 program, you can make a real difference in rebuilding lives and supporting our community.

Please call 828-452-1447 to speak to our Section 8 staff.