To expand both network and computer access to your constituents, to purchase network devices to expand your libraries' outdoor WiFi range to allow for better connection to our faster internet, and to purchase laptops for The Learning Center Charter School to use for remote learning and for your libraries to use via curbside (2020) and to provide library users with a comprehensive collection of online materials and resources to aid their pursuit of information, research, education, recreation, and the development of creative capacities in their leisure time (2021).
Grant Impact: “We installed WiFi devices to increase our range of outdoor use at our library branches. We also purchased laptops for our libraries and our partner, The Learning Center Charter School, to use with students. We purchased all devices and immediately expanded the WIFI at our locations, as well as The Learning Center. There was an immediate response to this with an increase of cars parked in our lots using the newly expanded wifi not to mention that the range actually covers neighboring parking lots.”
To purchase a HVAC system to be installed at the Reach of Cherokee County safe-haven shelter.
Grant Impact: Reach of Cherokee County operates a safe-haven shelter for victims of domestic violence to seek safety from their abusers. The organization faced a desperate need to replace its HVAC unit. The new HVAC ensures that abuse victims will find comfort during the most difficult time many have ever faced.
Photo provided by grantee.
To purchase TVs, DVDs, and other technology devices with Internet connectivity to expand access to healthcare and education for victims of domestic violence residing at the REACH of Clay County emergency shelter.
Grant Impact: “We are so very grateful to have been selected to receive these funds. The upgrades have enabled our clients to maintain safe social distances throughout the pandemic and will continue to benefit our clients and their children for many years to come.”
Photo provided by grantee.
To purchase a disability equipped passenger van (2019); to ensure on-site academic tutors are available to serve as liaisons between parents and Macon County Schools/teachers and can work with families to provide support on virtual learning days as a result of COVID-19 safety measure (2020); and to support a portion of their victim advocacy crisis hotline (2022).
Grant Impact: “Without the van, clients would not have received transport due to an inability to ensure social distancing and the cleanliness of employees’ vehicles. Having a passenger van allowed for Covid-friendly client transports, permitted REACH to obtain vital resources for their shelter and community clients, and decreased barriers clients face in obtaining critical resources.”
To support their mission to create opportunities during the earliest years of life for each child to grow and learn and achieve his or her greatest potential in life.
For owner-occupied home repairs and modifications to household with combined incomes below 60% AMI. Home repairs should restore or maintain safe and healthy living conditions, including those that ensure elderly residents can safely age in their homes or address physical challenges or disabilities. Image provided by grantee.
Grant Impact: An elderly Swain County resident was in need of a ramp. (We will refer to her as Ellen.) As Ellen continued to age, her home became increasingly inaccessible through her front stairs–the main entrance to her home. The inaccessibility of Ellen’s home started to become a safety hazard. She applied to the Healthy Homes Initiative through the Family Resource Center. After Ellen’s application was vetted by DSS and our project board, her application was placed into the first round of projects funded. Smoky Mountain Consultants found a contractor for Ellen’s ramp addition and scheduled the repair.
This was a quote pulled from a conversation with Ellen after the repair: “I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for the ramp. I have enjoyed it so tremendously, you can’t even imagine. I just wanted you to know that they did a wonderful job and I appreciate it so very much.”
To support the Graham County Felowship Food Distribution effort.
Photos provided by grantee.
To repair at least six donated vehicles, which can then be gifted to individuals in need of safe, reliable transportation..
NIMble 2021 Impact: "In September 2021, Rolling Start NC presented a 2005 Ford Escape to a gentleman in Whittier referred by the Department of Social Services. He is disabled, living off of SSI. He has three young children he is raising by himself. His wife developed an addiction problem and left the family. He had been struggling to get by on a very limited income and had no vehicle. He and the family were borrowing a car on occasion from a relative and begging for rides from others.
"He asked for a car to help get his kids to doctor and dentist appointments. He stated a car would help him get groceries and get to his own doctor appointments. He would be able to take his kids to school and pick them up from school when they were sick. They could participate in the typical activities of youth and the community. He and his children were extremely excited and appreciative when they received their Ford Escape."
Transportation, or the lack of it, is one of the root causes for people being unable to reach and obtain other services or programs which would otherwise be available to them. This includes food, healthcare, counseling, and educational opportunities. Transportation is a necessity for anyone trying to work their way out of poverty or even survive. Those without transportation become isolated and restricted in their ability to interact or contribute to the community. Transportation is largely overlooked or underfunded by the human resources services and nonprofit community. Thank you for recognizing Rolling Start NC and supporting our mission.
Photo provided by grantee.
To support the repair of a Little Tennessee Greenway pavilion located near Rotary Circle, thus providing the public an additional outdoor meeting space within Macon County.
Grant Impact: Noting the significant quantity of wood felled to clear the area on the Little Tennessee Greenway, Chuck Sutton at Macon Program for Progress identified two families in need of wood for their winter heating. Rotarians delivered the wood to these families, helping two local families warm their homes this winter.o
Image provided by grantee.
For owner-occupied home repairs and modifications to household with combined incomes below 60% AMI. Home repairs should restore or maintain safe and healthy living conditions, including those that ensure elderly residents can safely age in their homes or address physical challenges or disabilities.
Grant Impact: A piece of property owned by a single mother with two children was inspected; it was determined the existing septic tank was no longer operational. A Town of Highlands engineer was contacted to determine if the property could be connected to the Town of Highlands’ sewer system. For the property owner to connect directly, it would require a grinder pump and the necessary plumbing to make the connection. The approximate cost of this endeavor would be $15,000 to $20,000.
The adjacent property owner, Wilson Gas Service, agreed to grant an easement to the Town of Highlands to allow the sewer line to run across their property and connect to the system using gravity instead of a grinder pump. Wilson Gas was a cooperating partner in this endeavor and completed all of the work, along with family members of the property.
Healthy Homes paid for all necessary supplies and the sewer connection fee of $2,500. The total cost for this project was $8,287.94
A Note about the Images on this Page: Unless otherwise indicated, images on this page are intended to represent work being accomplished in our communities.
