CareReach

12/30/2025

CareReach and McDowell Impact Peer Support Services are partnering with Our VOICE on Tuesday, January 20th from 2-3:30pm at the Universal Building at McDowell Technical College.

This event is designed to help community members learn the basics of human trafficking, how it affects our community, and what the warning signs look like.

While we would like to think that human trafficking cannot or does not affect us in our beautiful mountain home, please join us to better understand what it is, what it isn't, and why it matters.

12/30/2025

Did you know that CareReach manages the Hepatitis C Bridge Counseling program in Buncombe County? Our third story of impact in our "Reason to Believe" series is one of the many successes of this program - from care to CURE.

We provide services through Christine, who helps coordinate rapid testing, patient support and supports our affected neighbors with additional help that might include cell phone access for patient communication and help with transportation - a frequently cited barrier.

Thanks to our partners - Western North Carolina AIDS Project, Appalachian Mountain Health, and MAHEC.

Christine's work includes outreach through the community with partners that include: paramedics at Haywood Street, 12 Baskets Cafe: a program of Asheville Poverty Initiative, the AHOPE Homeless Center through Homeward Bound of WNC, Health Department nurses, Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, RHA Health Services, and FIRST at Blue Ridge, Inc.

Bridge Counseling is free, voluntary, and confidential; There are no requirements for your current state of health to participate; this includes any past or present drug use or involvement with the legal system.

Call 828-772-4719 to speak to the CareReach Bridge Counselor:

Mon- Fri, 8:30a-5:30p, Thurs-only 8:30a-4:00p

Fridays: Walk-Ins Available 10:00am-4:00pm 40 Coxe Ave Buncombe County Health & Human Services

We are proud to be part of this life-changing initiative and are dedicated to improving health outcomes for .





Your donation supports this work and helps us provide critical resources along the way. Learn more at www.carereachnc.org

12/27/2025

We hope you are enjoying end of year celebrations and honoring the spirit of the season!

Our second story in our "Reason to Believe" holiday message to wrap up our year is through the McDowell Impact Peer Support Services program. From health and housing, to resource coordination and ongoing support, McDowell Impact is McDowell County's first-ever peer support program. It is an innovative, multiagency collaboration utilizing peer support specialists to promote and support recovery.

McDowell Impact supports individuals across McDowell County who struggle with substance use and co-occurring challenges like infectious disease, family separation, chronic homelessness and overdose. Our certified peer support specialists help their community to navigate recovery and access resources to keep them safe, healthy and connected.

Program Goals
• Breaking Stigma in our community
• Decreasing Isolation directly related to stigma
• Growing resources in our community
• Building a strong recovery community and a united effort to combat substance use and its effects in our community.

Services
• Individual recovery support
• Peer-led recovery groups
• Assistance with accessing community resources
• Transportation
• Linkage to services
• Harm reduction services
• Narcan training and distribution

If you are thinking of making a year-end gift, you can donate directly through CareReach by scanning the QR code or visiting us online at: https://carereachnc.org/about/donate

12/22/2025

As we welcome the holidays and embrace this season of believing, we shared last week a holiday message. In case you missed it, we wanted to call out the stories inside to remind and inspire you through stories of impact; these are the gifts that keep on giving.

We will share these stories throughout the end of the year and encourage you to share!

If you are called to make a donation at anytime, CareReach stewards its resources across a variety of health and safety net programs: Hepatitis C Bridge Counseling, McDowell Access to Care and Health, McDowell Impact Peer Support Services, The Hot Springs Health Program, and Toe River Project Access.

Every gift given throughout the year provides support, access, and recovery resources across programs. We have the honor of serving Avery, Buncombe, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey counties - meeting people where they are and connecting them to the care they need, supporting healthier communities throughout the region.


McDowell County 911 / Emergency Management Divine Disaster Relief

More about who we are and what we do: https://carereachnc.org/

12/17/2025

Tis The Season! A Reason to Believe

Dear CareReach Supporters,

As I reflect on 2025 and ring in the holiday season with gratitude and the spirit of giving, I remain incredibly inspired and motivated to share the story of our work with you, especially now as we approach the end of the year. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve western North Carolina across 5 primary programs this year that include: McDowell Access to Care and Health (McDowell Access to Care and Health), Toe River Project Access (Toe River Project Access), McDowell Impact (McDowell Impact Peer Support Services), Hepatitis C Bridge Counseling, and the Hot Springs Health Program.

It is clear to me that when we meet individuals in the community and serve them with compassion in collaboration with our wonderful partners, funders, and donors, we are making a difference that goes beyond the initial reward of what we see when we are providing a direct service. I have been humbled by this awareness, as the significant long-term impact of our work on the lives of those we serve can be challenging to quantify and yet deeply felt! From financial savings to access to resources, transportation, and patient advocacy, the influence of our services and the care of our team helps shape the everyday quality of life for our neighbors.

While we have this moment in time with our clients and consumers -insurance and bridge counseling services, peer support, outreach programs, and other offerings - the lasting impact reaches wide and far, going with them as they get back to their lives at home, at work, and in their communities. Just like the "magic" of the holidays, we believe in this priceless, ongoing, and often unseen result as part of the bigger picture of the value of care received by those we have the privilege to work alongside.

Akin to the simple meaning of an orange as a holiday gift (good health, practicality, sharing, and appreciating the simple things as a luxury), CareReach and its partners center our work around health and well-being with the understanding that together with neighbors like YOU, we can make a big difference in the lives of those we serve in programs that provide support, access, and recovery resources throughout our region.

We could not give the gifts of health to our communities without you! We wish you and yours the same dignity, respect, and compassion we aim to bring through our work – and the happiest of holidays, no matter how you celebrate and honor the traditions of generosity and selflessness! Thank you for believing in our mission!

Many thanks,
Joseph Jones
Executive Director

READ MORE, including several great stories from the CareReach community!

Email from CareReach Happy Holidays from CareReach   Tis The Season Our Mission: Ensuring communities have access to the care and resources they need to be healthy. Our Vision: Communities working to

11/01/2025

🥰

This week’s features Mindy and our newly certified 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬! Congratulations to CareReach, High Country Community Health, and Freedom Life Ministries!

The Foothills Recovery and Employment Ecosystem (FREE) program is a response to the pressing challenges posed by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in the rural counties of Rutherford, Polk, McDowell, and Cleveland in Western North Carolina. This program provides individuals living in these counties with support and connections to stable employment opportunities while also providing training and education to employers interested in becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace.

If you’re an employer in one of these counties and would like more information on becoming a certified Recovery Friendly Workplace, email ARCFREEinfo@sunriseinasheville.org or call 828-712-1141, or visit SunriseInAsheville.org/foothills-recovery-and-employment-ecosystem for more information.

10/09/2025

Our Fall newsletter just published! Check out our new Mission, Vision and Values..... 😍

Email from CareReach Communities working together for the wellbeing of everyone.     Executive Director Message Each year we look forward to autumn in Western North Carolina, anticipating the brillian

10/07/2025

10/02/2025

🕑💙 Medicare Open Enrollment is almost here! 💙🕑
October 15 – December 7 is your chance to review your coverage and make changes for 2026.

During Open Enrollment, you can:
✅ Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan (or vice versa)
✅ Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
✅ Join, drop, or change a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)

Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s a good idea to review your coverage, plans and costs can change each year.

📞 MATCH’s certified Medicare counselors are here to provide free, unbiased, one-on-one support to help you understand your options and choose what works best for you. Call us today to schedule your appointment: 828-659-5289

✨ Don’t navigate it alone! Give us a call today to schedule your Medicare counseling appointment.

10/02/2025

🎃 Happy October 🎃
Come see us!

09/24/2025

The news is out! Our proposal, “Bridging Health, Recovery & Opportunity in Western North Carolina” has been selected for an ARC Inspire grant!

This project builds on the resource navigation and recovery support work CareReach programs are known for by adding the critically important focus of helping people in recovery from substance use disorder find meaningful employment.

We are honored to be part of ARC’s vision for stronger, healthier communities across WNC.

Through ARC’s INSPIRE Initiative, the award package will expand support services to help Appalachians in recovery enter and re-enter the workforce in nine Appalachian states.   WASHINGTON, DC, September 23, 2025—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $11 million to 32 project...