ZOE, an orphan empowerment program begun in Africa by churches in the NC Conference, has been a mission of FUMC since 2013 when it partnered with its first group in Rwanda.  With a match from a church family, the congregation raised the $22,000 to fund the group for three years within a few months.  That first group, which was trained and empowered in 8 areas of sustainability including income generation, agriculture, education, health and hygiene, child rights, housing, social support and spiritual growth, graduated in 2016. 

Since 2013, FUMC has partnered with an additional group each year and now has three active groups every year, one in each phase of the three-year program.  As of 2020 FUMC had15 groups in Rwanda, Kenya, India and Guatemala to empower 1326 children to move from extreme poverty to sustainability and to contribute significantly to their communities and churches. Four of these groups have been totally funded by families in the congregation.  We currently have four active groups in Kenya and recently graduated group in Rwanda.  You can find out more about ZOE at zoeempowers.org.   For more information about FUMC and ZOE, contact Carol Watson at carol313hw@gmail.com.

Amahoro (Peaceful)Group, Rwanda Graduated 2018

In 2015 Carol Watson visited our Amahoro Empowerment Group in Rwanda as it was just being formed. Children were still living in half-finished, roofless homes or on the street. They were eating only 3-4 meals a week.   Click here for complete story . . .

Affordable Housing Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity

Restore / Cindy Young / 828-696-9524

Construction / Melissa Ailiff / mailiff@habitat-hvl.org

Serve others through the construction of homes and the operation of the Restore facilities.

Housing Assistance Corporation

Marcesa Harper / 828-629-4744 ext. 103 / marcesa@housing-assistance.com

A private, non-profit organization committed to providing safe and affordable housing for persons of limited income living in Henderson County and surrounding areas.

Domestic Violence Initiatives

Safelight

Sara Cole, Development Officer  / 828-693-3840 / sara@safelightfamily.org

Lauren Wilkie,  Executive Director / lauren@safelightfamily.org

Volunteers are utilized in almost every aspect of the agency’s programs and are a vital part of Safelight’s team and delivery of services by volunteering at the front desk, sorting donations, assisting with direct services and the family violence class, and in many other ways.

Health-Related Initiatives

The Free Clinics

Sarah Friedell / 828-697-8422 / sfridell@thefreeclinics.org

Works to close the healthcare gap in Henderson County by providing free healthcare and services to low-income,

uninsured residents.

Pardee Hospital

Karla Reese / 828-696-4240 / karla.reese@pardeehospitalorg

Volunteers help with transport, at checkout, chaplaincy, gift cart, reading cart, newspaper distribution, and many other opportunities.

Relay for Life

Judy Nutwell / 828-388-1096 / jnutwell@gmail.com

Volunteers help raise funds as a team to support the American Cancer Society. Members represent First United Methodist Church before, during and after the Relay.

Homelessness Initiatives

Homes for Youth

Kathleen Lambert / klambert55@yahoo.com

Provides homes, help and hope for Henderson County youth who have lost their homes.  We have a home that accommodates five foster girls with their foster parents and plan to acquire another.  We also support the training of additional foster parents by providing facilities and advanced remote teleconferencing equipment to the Department of Social Services

Only Hope WNC

Marti Eudeman / volunteer@onlyhopewnc.org

Only Hope serves the homeless youth of WNC by providing a home and services where education, personal growth, and opportunity are supported. Whether bringing a group in to sort through our pantry, helping with paperwork, or serving on the Only Hope board, you can help make a difference

Hendersonville Rescue Mission

Yam Burke / 828-697-1354

A non-profit committed to providing overnight shelter, food, and clothing to homeless in our community. Volunteers assist with chapel services, meal serving.

Hunger Initiatives

Backpack Ministry

Jane Johnson / 952-607-7705 / janejohnson139@gmail.com

The FUMC Backpack Ministry delivers non-perishable foods to food-insecure children attend Bruce Drysdale School / Boys & Girls Club of Hendersonville each week.  We are currently supporting the weekend food needs for 215 local children.  Each week we provide nine individual-sized food items for these children.  Donations specified for the Backpack Program support our purchases of these food items.  The children thank you for you donation.

Hunger Walk

Janet Hendricks / 828-692-8645 / gamecocknc@aol.com

Volunteers coordinate and/or participate in the yearly September walk to raise money to provide food for the needy of Henderson County.

The Providence House

Robin Corbin/rrcorbin@morrisbb.net

Volunteers serve meals the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays providing food to those in need.  With COVID-19, bagged lunches vs. a sit-down meals are provided.  Supplies are low and there is an on going need until they return to a regular meal.  Donations are being collected, for specific needs click here.

The Storehouse

Lynn Staggs / 828-692-8300 / lynn@storehouseonline.org

Distributes food and works with those in need.

Legal Initiatives

Pisgah Legal Services

Rhonda Brown, Local Volunteer Coordinator / 828-210-3455 / rhonda@pisgahlegal.org

Deborah Jones-Holt, Regional Development Officer / 828-210-3449 / deborah@pisgahlegal.org

We are a nonprofit that provides free civil legal aid to the most vulnerable people in WNC: disadvantaged children, seniors, at risk families & domestic violence victims.

Literacy Initiatives

Blue Ridge Literacy

Cindy Jefferson / 696-3811 info@litcouncil.org

Volunteers tutor adults in English. Training materials are provided. Proficiency in a foreign language is not necessary.

Multi-Faceted Initiatives

Council on Aging

Wendy Lou Billings / 828-692-4203 / wbillings@coahc.org

Helps seniors remain independent at home through programs such as Meals-on-Wheels.

Four Seasons Hospice

Sheri Cagle / 828-692-6178 ext. 329 / salewine@fourseasonscfl.org

Sigrun Mapes / 828-697-2900 / TLMSMM99@morrisbb.net

Volunteers serve at Elizabeth House delivering meals and providing support to patients and their families. They also provide supportive presence or socialization with patients in assisted living facilities.

Interfaith Assistance Ministries (IAM)  

www.iamhendersoncounty.org

Debra Dunbar / debra.dunbar@iam-hc.org

Christy Lowe / christy.lowe@iam-hc.org

IAM provides emergency relief to Henderson County residents who are experiencing financial crises.  Services provided include food, clothing, blankets, and financial assistance for electricity, water, fuel oil, propane gas, rent, transportation and prescriptions.

Meals4Missions

Volunteers assist in cooking, packaging, and distributing meals purchased by the congregation and public. Proceeds from this program help fund local and international missions supported by FUMC.

Salvation Army

Bill Bricker / 828-280-1163 / bill.bricker@uss.salvationarmy.org

Volunteer opportunities include working at the Thrift Store, the after school and summer youth programs, the pantry, and with the Angel Tree and bell ringing holiday programs.

Trauma Intervention Program of WNC

The Trauma Intervention Program of Western North Carolina (TIP) is looking  for caring people in Buncombe and Henderson Counties willing to be part of a team of volunteers who provide immediate emotional and practical support to survivors of traumatic events. TIP is holding a Spring Training beginning February 28th at Skyland Fire Department. Funding for this training was provided by a grant from the Meals4Missions Local Grant Program at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church.  Learn More

Youth Initiatives

Big Brothers / Big Sisters

Steve Kirkland / 828-693-8153 / henderson@bbbswnc.org

A United Way organization that matches children (ages 6-14) from single-parent families with caring, adult mentors.

Cub Scouts / Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts

Cub Scouts / Sandra Macklem / 828-277-7831 / ncmg131221@live.com

Boy Scouts / Larry Harmon / lharmon4@hotmail.com

Girl Scouts / Renee Casey / 828-698-2478 / reneercasey@gmail.com

Our church offers weekly scout meetings for members and the greater community.

Boys and Girls Club

Ismael Martinez / (828) 693-9444 / ismaelm@bgchendersonco.org

Volunteer opportunities exist to tutor, mentor, provide homework assistance, coach/referee, or assist with one of many activities at the center.

Children and Family Resource Center

Dawn Piscopo / 828-698-0674 ext. 100 / dawnp@childrenandfamily.org

An organization that works to improve children’s lives through parent education, quality child care resources, and leadership on children’s issues. Opportunities to volunteer range from clerical to board membership, from special events planning to child care volunteer, and from Once Upon a Time story reader to resource library assistant.

Children’s Gifting Party

Sandy Hastie / 828-696-0703 / hastiew60@gmail.com

Donna Hastie / 828-696-0703 / hastiedj@bellsouth.net

This is an annual outreach event in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County. Students come to the church in order to “shop” without money, for their primary caregivers. Volunteers collect donations, bake cookies, make goody bags, help with crafts, coordinate with the Boys and Girls club, set-up, decorate, clean-up, and serve as escorts.  Click here for the Blue Ridge Now article on our 2018 party. 

Helping Hand Development Center

Susan Deans / 828- 692-7068

Enrolls children from 2 to 5 years of age. Volunteers are needed to assist with music, art, story time, and other activities.

• To make additions or corrections to the Local Missions section please contact Carol Schobert, schobert101@gmail.com.