Thrive Asheville

Thrive Asheville invites you to an essential conversation on Community Resilience Hubs—the lifelines that emerged in the wake of Hurricane Helene, providing supplies, information, and vital community support. As part of our Lessons for the Recovery series, this event will bring together recovery leaders to share insights, best practices, and strategies for strengthening future resilience efforts. ?? When: Friday, March 28 | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Doors open for coffee at 10:00 AM) ?? Where: Land of Sky UCC Church, 15 Overbrook Place, Asheville ?? Who: Community resilience hub leaders & recovery experts ??? Lunch Provided | Free & Open to the Public (Registration Required at https://lnkd.in/gY9saYPR) Why Attend? Real-world experiences from Helene’s recovery underscore the urgent need for dedicated funding, improved infrastructure, and stronger coordination for community resilience hubs. Whether you played a role in the Helene response or are looking to build a more prepared and connected community, this discussion will offer valuable lessons and forward-thinking solutions. We hope to see you there!

Join Us Tonight for a Conversation with Steven Bingler on Community Resilience & Planning! ???? As Asheville moves forward in the wake of Hurricane Helene, what can we learn from New Orleans’ recovery after Katrina? Renowned architect and planner Steven Bingler will share lessons from New Orleans’ Unified Recovery Plan—a model of community-driven rebuilding that reshaped the city’s future. ?? Tonight | Thursday, March 6 ? 7 - 9 PM EST ?? ArtSpace Charter School, Swannanoa (US Hwy 70) ??? Free & Open to the Public | Ample Free Parking Let’s learn from the past to build a more resilient and equitable future. #AVL #Asheville #BuncombeCounty #LessonsForTheRecovery #HeleneRecovery #WNC

?? Think planning is just a one-dimensional process? Think again! ?? Planning isn’t just about policies—it’s about bringing great ideas to life so our neighborhoods and communities thrive. ??? Join us for a special evening with Steven Bingler, the visionary behind New Orleans’ community-driven recovery after Katrina. Learn how grassroots leadership shaped a city’s comeback—and how YOU can be inspired to make a plan for your own prosperous and safe future. ?? Thursday, March 6 | 7:00 PM ?? ArtSpace Charter School, Swannanoa (US Hwy 70) ?? Free & Open to the Public ?? Come ready to be inspired. Your future starts with a plan! #AVL #Asheville #BuncombeCounty #WNC #HeleneRecovery #Swannanoa

?? How Do We Rebuild? Lessons from New Orleans for Asheville After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans had to fight for its future—not with top-down plans, but with real community voices leading the way. Now, as Asheville recovers from Hurricane Helene, we have the chance to learn from their success. ?? Hear firsthand from Steven Bingler, the architect of New Orleans’ Unified Recovery Plan, about how neighborhoods came together to take charge of their own rebuilding—and how Asheville can do the same. ?? We'll also spotlight local efforts already making an impact, like Chimney Rock’s "Raise the Rock" and Swannanoa’s resilience planning. Pontificated with a participatory art activity by public artist Emily Clanton. ?? Let’s make sure our recovery reflects all of us. ?? Where: ArtSpace Charter School, Swannanoa (US Hwy 70) ?? When: 7pm March 6th, 2025 ?? Who: You + anyone who cares about Asheville’s future ?? Cost: Free! Let’s learn from those who’ve been there and build back stronger—together. ?? ?? RSVP here: https://buff.ly/vbIPtIf #AVL #Asheville #BuncombeCounty #WNC #HeleneRecovery

?? Planning for Community Resilience ?? We're meeting with resilience hubs and network support leaders to plan a March gathering focused on learning from real-life experiences. During Hurricane Helene, neighborhoods, community centers, libraries, churches, and businesses transformed into vital hubs, providing critical support and connections when it was needed most. These Resilience Hubs have long been recognized as essential for our region, but Helene truly proved their impact. Now, it’s time to come together, reflect on what happened, and figure out how we can better support these life-sustaining networks. ?? Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and help strengthen our community's resilience! #ResilienceHubs #BuncombeCounty #Asheville #AVL #DisasterRecovery #CommunityResilience #HurricaneHelene #WNC

We’re thrilled to welcome Steven Bingler to Asheville in March as part of our Lessons for the Recovery series, in partnership with Mountain True and AIA WNC. Steven is a visionary in community-centered design and planning, having played a key role in Louisiana’s recovery post-Hurricane Katrina through the Unified New Orleans Plan (UNOP). His visit presents a powerful opportunity to shape Asheville’s next chapter of inclusive, neighborhood-driven rebuilding. ??? March 6–7: Steven will be in Asheville, and we’re looking for existing meetings, events, or small group conversations where he can share his insights and help us “plan for the plan.” ?? Want to collaborate? - Suggest a meeting or event where Steven could speak. - Help us create meaningful engagements with key stakeholders. - Stay in the loop as we finalize details! DM us or comment below if you’d like to get involved. Let’s work together to build a more resilient, connected Asheville! ???? #Asheville #CommunityPlanning #ResilientCities #AVL #WNC #HeleneRecovery #BuncombeCounty @aia_wnc @mtntrue

At Thrive Asheville, we believe recovery is an all-hands-on-deck effort—one that brings together people, ideas, and resources to create lasting impact. That’s why we’re excited to support public artist Emily Clanton in launching a participatory art project that helps rebuild both social bonds and public health. Emily’s vision? A series of workshops that transform recycled fabrics into a collective public art piece, while also addressing something deeper: stress-related inflammation—a hidden but dangerous effect of disaster recovery. Research shows that stress, especially after crises like Hurricane Helene, can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chronic illnesses like Type 2 diabetes. For Emily, this work is personal. Her father passed away from unmanaged diabetes, and she herself lives with MS, an inflammatory condition. Her goal is to bring people together, using art as a tool for healing, education, and connection. ?? What’s Next? ?? Gathering fabric donations ?? ?? Securing a space for workshops ?? ?? Creating cordage from fabric scraps to form a small public art installation ?? ?? Bringing in partners like you! This is more than an art project—it’s about lifting up those with lived experience, creating new networks of support, and making sure everyone has a seat at the recovery table. If you or your organization can help with materials, space, or connections, DM us or drop a comment below! ?? #AVL #Asheville #BuncombeCounty #WNC #HeleneRecovery #AVLStrong

?? What Can Valencia Learn from Asheville’s 2024 Flood Recovery? ?? As Valencia grapples with the aftermath of devastating floods, unexpected insights come from Asheville, North Carolina, which faced historic flooding in 2024. Thrive Asheville’s Executive Director, Ryan Smolar, has shared lessons from Asheville’s recovery journey to support Valencia in building back stronger and more sustainably. In This Article: - How community hubs and public spaces became Asheville’s lifeline in the immediate aftermath - The role of placemaking in jumpstarting the local economy - Why sustainability was at the heart of their long-term rebuilding plans - Innovative solutions like 3D-printed water nozzles and makeshift sanitation systems - How Asheville ensured equity by involving the most affected communities in decision-making Key Takeaways for Valencia: - Respect the Water: Smart infrastructure and flood-adaptive urban design are crucial. - Empower Neighborhoods: Trained, connected communities respond faster and recover stronger. - Think Long-Term: Sustained leadership and strategic planning prevent future crises. Asheville’s story, as shared by Ryan Smolar, is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. Could Valencia follow their lead? ???? #AVL #BuncombeCounty #WNC #HeleneRecovery #ValenciaSpain Read the article: https://buff.ly/4hV1ua9

We're inspired by the resilience and adaptability on display each week at our local farmers markets. These markets aren't just places to buy fresh produce—they're hubs where passion, place, and our natural systems come together to create a thriving, connected community. This Saturday at the Downtown AVL Farmers Market, we met Alicia from Stump Farms, a family-run homestead embodying the spirit of perseverance and community support. Their story is one of dedication to sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and a deep commitment to providing clean, high-quality foods. Alicia and her family began their homesteading journey in 2017, driven by the desire to cultivate nutritious food while minimizing their environmental impact. What started as a personal mission quickly grew into Stump Farms, offering value-added products, ethical poultry, and small-scale naturally grown produce through markets, online, and direct sales. The family has been working in Hendersonville, NC, expanding their operations with an indoor hydroponic urban farm and a storefront. However, the recent storm and a subsequent robbery brought unexpected challenges, threatening their progress. Yet, Alicia and her family’s determination remains unshaken. To learn more about Stump Farms and support their efforts, visit their website and social media channels. And take time to talk to Your Local Artisans and Purveyors to learn about their stories and how you can support their journeys. Alicia and her family extend their deepest appreciation to all who have supported them during this tough time. Your time, resources, and energy mean the world to them, and they hope to see you at the market soon! Let’s continue to support our local makers and food growers, who not only nourish our bodies but also strengthen the roots of our community. Together, we can weather any storm. #AVL #BuncombeCounty #WNC #HeleneRecovery #FarmersMarket #Resilience #StumpFarms #SustainableLiving

Spent the morning diving into Asheville’s rich history with The Rise of Asheville author, Marilyn Ball. Marilyn shared powerful stories about the city’s turning points, and they deeply resonated with the challenges and opportunities we’re navigating today. One key takeaway? Asheville’s revival—from the shuttered days of downtown to its vibrant rebound—was driven by centering the ideas of local thinkers, entrepreneurs, and even youth. By testing, exchanging, and nurturing the creative sparks from our diverse Asheville community, paired with that signature Appalachian can-do spirit, we’ve seen what’s possible. But it doesn’t stop here. We need to ensure these voices are amplified and help inform a just, innovative, and forward-thinking recovery. As we move forward, let’s make sure the stories of our past—and the wisdom of our local communities—aren’t lost but continue to guide us in building a resilient and inclusive future.