01/23/2026
This week at Toe River Project Access was about showing up—again and again—for our neighbors. 💙
Here’s just a small glimpse of what serving our community looked like this week:
💙 Pahola
Helped a client re-enroll in NC Med Assist, ensuring continued access to free medications for another year
Assisted a resident in Avery County with Medicaid enrollment and confirmation
Supported 2 residents, one from Mitchell and one from Yancey County, with applications for hospital financial assistance to address unaffordable medical bills
Helped a client reapply to the Toe River Project Access to access low-cost eye care services
Enrolled a new client to receive help with low-cost primary care copayments
💙 Miki
Assisted a hospitalized community member who lost their furniture and vehicle due to Hurricane Helene and had not yet been able to replace either, by working with local partners Samaritan’s Purse (furniture assistance) and Broken Wheels Ministry (vehicle assistance)
Helped a patient review his Medicare Plan due to high-cost medication, she reduced medication costs from $400 per month to $0, while cutting overall medication expenses for the year
Assisted two residents with SNAP (food assistance) applications
Advocated for a patient who continued receiving medical bills after approval for 100% hospital charity care
Helped a resident who lost their job re-enroll in Medicaid, completing the application by phone to avoid unnecessary travel and expenses
Led a Zoom meeting with the Yancey County Health Department to share updates on 2026 Toe River Project Access events, services, and referral processes, strengthening coordination and partnership for the year ahead
Confirmed and scheduled dates for the year for upcoming free dental clinics and free eye exam events, expanding access to care for uninsured individuals and those with limited financial resources
💙They both attended a Freedom Life meeting alongside other local agencies in Mitchell County to brainstorm collaborative solutions for community recovery and re-entry. These conversations focus on how organizations can work together to support individuals returning to the community after incarceration or crisis, reduce barriers to healthcare and basic needs, and strengthen long-term stability through coordinated support.
And this is only a brief snapshot. There is so much more that doesn’t always make it into a post ➡️ the phone calls, follow-ups, problem-solving, listening, advocating, and walking alongside people through complex systems.
Why does this matter?
Because access to healthcare, medications, food, and support shouldn’t depend on income, transportation, or how hard it is to navigate the system. People deserve dignity, trust, and someone in their corner.
At Toe River Project Access, we believe in meeting people where they are and staying with them until the problem is truly solved. This work happens every day, one neighbor at a time—and we’re honored to be part of it. 💙
