When I was young. There was a lot of chaos, a lot of hurt, and I learned early how to survive instead of how to be healthy. By the time I was a teenager, I was already out of the house most nights, just trying to find somewhere to belong. That’s when I was introduced…
Using and selling drugs were so common in my life that I was only ten the first time I smoked marijuana – at home with family. In my world, that was normal, and by thirteen, I was using meth. School was horrible for me. I didn’t have nice clothes and never felt like I fit in….
My story hasn’t been easy. Years ago, when I was a manager at a quick-service restaurant, I was working every hour I could to provide for my kids. While I was at work, a family member made a mistake that caused DSS to step in and take my kids away for almost six months. It…
Some of my earliest memories are filled with fear. My mom’s boyfriend at the time was violent. He would beat me and sometimes throw me into closets. I don’t know if he was taking his anger out on me instead of beating my mother and sister, but an experience like that is difficult to overcome….
By Chris (Men’s Recovery Program Resident) This is not my first time in the Recovery Program at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries. I left the program the first time because of a relationship. At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do, but looking back, it just pulled me off course. The relationship…
When I arrived at Abba’s House six months ago, I had just one week clean. I’d left my apartment and everything I owned to come here with the hope of reuniting with my seven-year-old son. My family dropped me off and wished me the best. I had no Department of Social Services case, just a…
Check out the Western Carolina Rescue Ministry’s This month, we celebrated the graduation of four amazing women from our residential programs! Three of the women were mothers in our Abba’s House program and one graduated from the Women of Worth (W.O.W.) Program. We have been honored to watch these women grow into all God has…
My journey with drugs began early. Before I was even four years old, my parents were dealing drugs, and my brother and I were placed in foster care for six years. When my dad went to prison, it seemed like things couldn’t get harder. Growing up, I was actually the one who was against drugs….
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries is a place that’s not just helping me keep my family together but transforming our future. These past six months have been incredible – watching the pieces of my life fall into place. I remember a time years ago when things were going well. I had love, dreams, ambitions, and a…
https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-conversations-on-a-bench-western-carolina-rescue-ministries-patton-avenue-world-homeless-day-north-america-canada-united-states-buncombe-county-sheriff-quentin-miller-law-enforcement-livestream WLOS October 2025 https://wlos.com/community/carolina-spotlight/western-carolina-rescue-ministries-10-03-2025 WLOS October 2025 https://www.theassemblync.com/place/asheville-homelessness-helene The Assembly September 2025 https://www.citizen-times.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2025/07/17/asheville-nc-murals-big-lebowski-benjamin-swatez/84481897007 Citizen Times July 2025 https://avltoday.6amcity.com/city-guide/play/where-to-volunteer-in-asheville AVL Today July 2025 No Turning Back Weathering Hurricane Helene by Nicole LaVoie Instigate Magazine Jan/Feb 2025 Homeless after Helene: With final Buncombe disaster shelter closed, what’s next? by Sarah Honosky/Asheville Citizen Times January 3. 2025…
