Community Partners by Focus Area

ARF (Humane Society of Jackson County) is a network of foster parents, not a shelter. We keep animals in our homes for local adoption or transport, and that is our greatest need. 

However, we are always looking for other help–board members, fundraisers, web designers, social media people, publicists and writers and photographers for our newsletter, drivers, spay/neuter clinic staff, and more (we probably haven’t thought of all the things we need).

Our Mission is—In Christ’s name, feed the hungry, house the homeless, and reduce recidivism in Haywood County.

Our Vision is—To glorify God by proclaiming and showing love through a Christ-centered ministry that brings life transformation in a safe, accepting, and caring environment.

HIGHTS is a non-profit serving vulnerable youth and their families across the 7 most western counties of our state. Our name is an acronym that stands for Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust, and Service. HIGHTS continuum of care includes clinical mental health services, a workforce development and education program, skill building programs such as free after school groups and summer adventure camps, and a mentoring program.

HOMEBASE is for students who have aged out of foster care and/or
residential services, are orphaned, homeless,  emancipated or have little to no support. Ultimately, HOMEBASE is open to all students — no one is turned away. HOMEBASE is a collaboration between Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina and Western Carolina University. It's purpose is to provide resources and support to all students seeking physical, emotional or spiritual support.

4-H is a youth development organization devoted to helping youth ages 5-18 become responsible, productive citizens. This is accomplished through experiential learning opportunities in clubs, school-based programs and special interest activities.

The Jackson County Department of Social Services' goal is to offer vital social services in Jackson County, NC, that safeguard, bolster, and enhance Jackson County residents' quality of life. Our commitment is to deliver the most outstanding level of service while fostering a culture of professionalism, teamwork, and respect for our customers and the environment in which we operate.

While providing free access to books and other materials, the library also offers special educational and recreational programs for children and adults. The library has a computer lab, Wi-Fi, 3D Printer, Analog to Digital conversion equipment, eResources, telescope, etc.

Volunteers may assist with shelving, shelf reading, book repair, and youth and adult programming, as well as other special projects. They may also help as a technology mentor; assisting patrons learn basic computer skills.

A partnership of the College of Education and Allied Professions, College of Arts and Sciences, Jackson County Public Schools, and the Cullowhee United Methodist Church, LEAP is an after-school program which provides English language learners with meaningful learning opportunities to better prepare them for school and life. LEAP staff believe strongly in the importance of working in partnership with families to support the academic and social development of their children and, therefore, also provide a multitude of parent engagement opportunities throughout the academic year, including bi-weekly English classes for parents. 

A nonprofit community action agency, MPP improves the standard of living for low-income families in Macon County. MPP seeks to provide services that help the whole family, including Head Start/Early Head Start/NC Pre-K, economic development opportunities, and community networking for families in need.

MSA is a non-profit organization and is the driving force for a vital downtown business district. The MSA’s mission is to spur economic development in Downtown Sylva within the context of historic preservation. This is accomplished through the implementation of the National Main Street Center's Four Point Approach: Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.

Our goal is to conserve and restore the lands and waters of the Southern Blue Ridge, and to connect the people to these natural treasures.

MountainTrue champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge.

The NAACP was founded Feb. 12. 1909 and is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots–based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

NCCAT helps North Carolina teachers grow in knowledge, skills, compassion, and professionalism so that students become engaged, self-motivated, and successful. Open year round, the Center offers NC teachers the opportunity to attend week-long residential professional development sessions. 

MountainWise works with the eight westernmost counties of North Carolina to provide opportunities for physical activity, access to local fresh fruits and vegetables, provide support for tobacco-free places and access to services for chronic-disease management.

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.

Project F.I.R.E. (Fuel Intervention for Rural Elderly) is a heating assistance program that cuts, splits, and delivers firewood to elderly in need. This project is part of the Jackson County Department on Aging.

The Mission of REACH of Macon County is to eradicate domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking crimes in Macon County, through prevention, intervention, and educational services.

Region A Partnership for Children (RAPC) serves families in the seven westernmost NC counties (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson Macon and Swain) and the Cherokee Indian Reservation. RAPC strives for regional and local collaboration among public, private and non-profit partners to build and maintain a comprehensive and integrated system of services for young children and their families. RAPC manages Smart Start, NC's early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start creates and supports high quality early care and education, health and family support services to promote integrated prevention and intervention for all children.

Rolling Start is a non-profit group of car enthusiasts that refurbish donated vehicles that are then given to individuals in need of transportation to help work their way out of poverty in Jackson County, North Carolina.

Rotary is an international service club that assists persons in need with a broad array of services. 

SADD empowers and mobilizes students and adult allies to engage in positive change through leadership and smart decision-making.

We are intentionally inclusive, welcoming all people as they are, joined in our search for God as much by our questions as by our answers, by our need to be challenged as much as our need to be comforted, by the knowledge that we meet God in our work as well as in our worship, and by our commitment to serve God by serving others.

The Science Activation program is a cooperative network of competitively-selected teams from across the Nation working with NASA infrastructure activities to to share NASA science with learners of all ages. SCC"s Science Activation Program offers STEM educational events for children, youth, and young adults.

The After School Program serves grades K-6. Students engage in 30 minutes of assisted homework time. Later they participate in special activities including games, workshops, and art projects. Students also must participate in community service. Students also contribute time to the Community Table, and go on afternoon field trips.

Attentive care  in a home-like setting. You can rest assured that your loved one will receive superior quality care with us. As a part of our approach, we strive to ensure each resident, family  and staff member feel welcome in our home away from home.

Smokey Mountain Elementary School is a pre-K through 8th school with a diverse student body, including 47% Cherokee students. Tutors in reading and math and mentors to help build self-esteem are welcome. People who love the outdoors may be interested in helping with the school's environmental projects or Cherokee Challenge. CC is for 6th and 7th graders and meets weekly after school at a ropes course and other sites, as well as once a month on a weekend and during the summer for a 7- to 10-day-long camp. The GEAR UP program is for 7th through 9th graders to get started preparing for college. 

Smoky Mountain High School has an After School Homework Club and a Peer Mediation Program. 

A Community Garden in Sylva, NC with individual plots that are maintained by gardeners who donate 1/2 of their produce to The Community Table or other low-income people in Jackson County.

Sylva Pride is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the experiences of our LGBTQ community throughout western North Carolina.

A science outreach organization committed to spreading love and acceptance through the joy of science.

Education, advocacy, and support for non-binary and transgender people in Western North Carolina.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in western North Carolina.Through educational outreach, we work to empower our friends and neighbors to cook and grow the nutritious foods they want to eat. Our mission is to teach community members how to plan meals, shop for ingredients, and cook healthy, simple and affordable recipes.We bridge the gap between the food people have access to and the tools and knowledge they have to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their families.Whether people shop at the farmers market, grocery store, or receive food through charitable organizations, Uncomplicated Kitchen teaches our community that healthy food is affordable and simple. 

An interdenominational crisis ministry, UCM helps Jackson County people who have urgent physical, economic, social, and spiritual needs. UCM offers a client-choice food pantry and financial assistance. UCM also works closely with appropriate county, state, and federal agencies to acquire various forms of aid.

The WCU UP Program provides an inclusive, two-year, on-campus living and learning experience for college-aged persons with intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to facilitate UP students' transition from secondary school to adult life with education, employment, and independent living. The UP program currently can enroll up to 12 students at a time. 

At Vecinos, we believe healthcare is a basic human right. That’s why, since 2004, we’ve provided direct healthcare services to underserved communities in the Western North Carolina region. Our team of volunteers and advocates restores the health and dignity of our community members with quality, culturally sensitive, person-centered healthcare services.

WATR is a grassroots organization working to improve your water quality and habitat of the Tuckasegee River Basin. The Tuckasegee River watershed supplies the drinking water and ecosystem foundation for Swain and Jackson Counties. What happens upstream, downstream, and all around the watershed impacts all of us directly.

WNC Farm to Table is dedicated to preserving Western North Carolina's farming heritage. Our mission is to support local farmers in Jackson County, while promoting a strong and fair food system. We connect communities to local food sources, celebrate our region's cultural richness, and ensure a sustainable future for our agricultural traditions.