A-B Tech’s Role in Helene Recovery; Community Resource Fair Scheduled
When Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina in September, the people rushing into it to save lives were community college graduates: law enforcement, rescue, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and more.
As we began digging out of the aftermath, community college graduates also were there: volunteers, heavy equipment operators, power company employees, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.
And as we rebuild our cities, towns, and neighborhoods in the coming years, community colleges will take the lead through our workforce development programs, Small Business Center, and skilled tradespersons from every program on campus. Community colleges were, are, and will be the solutions for our community.
I’m also proud to say A-B Tech has been instrumental in our community’s recovery efforts. Buncombe County used our main campus for a general Red Cross shelter and a medical shelter, as well as for staging areas for ambulances, power crews, and tree crews. Our A-B Tech Madison campus served as a distribution center and disaster staging area for Madison County and supplied temporary office space for the town of Marshall. Our A-B Tech Woodfin campus hosted emergency crews and temporary FEMA operations. And our A-B Tech Enka campus hosted food distribution and is being used by Buncombe County for debris removal.
Obviously, our first concern was for our students and employees. I was thrilled and thankful to know that so many made it through Hurricane Helene, but I do know that not everyone made it unscathed. Some lost everything. A-B Tech is committed to supporting our students and employees in whatever ways they need. Part of our commitment involves getting in touch with organizations that can respond effectively.
With that goal in mind, A-B Tech will host a Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Ferguson Auditorium on our main campus. We have invited government agencies, community partners, nonprofits, and others who are assisting with a variety of recovery needs. More details are available on our website at abtech.edu.
As we move forward, we know this recovery is going to take years, not months. We will need a great deal of support and understanding from our state and federal government partners and more as we work through the various phases of recovery. We are proud to be part of this resilient, compassionate community where #wncstrong is more than a hashtag.
