The Beginning
BeLoved Asheville began with a small group of people that believed that we need each other and that we can do far more together than we can do alone.
Believing that we all need a village, BeLoved’s central focus is community.
We listen to people. We walk with people. We strengthen the fabric of our community by celebrating and struggling alongside our friends and neighbors, moving towards solutions that build upon the assets we see all around us.
From that small seed, thousands came bringing their energy, their gifts, their hopes, and dreams. Our community has grown into a powerhouse organization making a major difference here in Western North Carolina. Food access, deeply affordable housing, racial equity, healthcare on the streets, cultural celebrations, enrichment and school supplies for our kids – we dream towards possibilities and strive to show up together and be whatever our community needs, whenever the need is there.
In 2009, we started our journey to create a transformational way of life rooted in community and working to create Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity for all in our mountain home. We recognize that these focus areas are fundamental to building a just and equitable society, and we are committed to working with our community to find innovative and compassionate solutions to the tough challenges that our city, region, and world face today.
In 2017, NC State University conducted a study.
They asked North Carolinians,
“What is your #1 struggle?”
The number 1 struggle of North Carolinians came back
DISCONNECTION.
People described feeling disconnected from their neighbors, their communities and the institutions that were meant to serve and connect.
Finding Our True Home: Embracing Authenticity and Belonging
At BeLoved, we work to create those vital
CONNECTIONS
To each other
To resources
To the power
To create our hopes and dreams,
respond to community struggles,
and to shape our common future
where everyone thrives!
With over 15 years of experience in movement building and advocacy for human rights, BeLoved’s success is credited to the ability to build relationships, create visible change, and generate community-led momentum for collective action.
Creating Home, Health, Equity and Opportunity for All
We are committed to improving the well-being and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities our focus areas of Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity.
Our Focus Areas are:
Home
We are dedicated to providing people with the security and comfort of a home. Amidst the housing crisis, we are constructing homes meant to endure for generations, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within communities.
Health
We believe in supporting the health and wellbeing of people and the full community in a holistic way. BeLoved’s projects are designed to create healthy people and healthy places. We work to improve healthcare access and affordability, create healthy food access, and address root causes of health inequities.
Equity
Equity is at the heart of BeLoved. We work to dismantle systemic racism and other forms of oppression, promote racial, educational and economic equity and support impacted communities in tapping into their power to create their own solutions and be the change.
Opportunity
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their hopes and dreams and to have what they need to thrive. We are working to close the opportunity gaps created by systemic racism and poverty in a myriad of ways.
Impacts
Home
2,792
volunteers and 102 partners helped to build our national model solution to the housing crisis
Health
31 Million
Equity
44,209
community members responded to our calls to action to advance racial equity on multiple fronts
Our Mission
To bring together Black, Indigenous, Latinx, People of Color (BIPOC) and people of low wealth to create a more just and equitable society. Whether you are an advocate, activist, artist, or ally, we invite you to join us on this important journey. Together, we can create a brighter future for all in our mountain home through the power of compassion, community, creativity, and equity.
BeLoved Asheville is a trusted, grassroots, and equity-focused organization. With over fifteen years of experience in movement building and advocacy for human rights, the organization’s success is credited to the ability to build relationships, create visible change, and generate community-led momentum for collective action.
Our Vision
To cultivate a caring community where every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, experiences the essence of belonging, wellness, fairness, and potential.
Our Value
Our value lies in championing compassion, collective action and inclusivity to establish tangible change and resilience within our community.
Our Purpose
To foster a sense of identity rooted in our shared humanity, nurturing a deep understanding of interconnectedness and a commitment to uplifting those facing adversity. To be advancing the pillars of Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity through various initiatives including street outreach, thrift store, pantries, kitchens, food sharing, crisis response, and inclusivity.