SVCM welcomes Margaret Hurt

Margaret Hurt has been hired to fill the newly created part-time position of Community Service Navigator.
Funding for this 20-hour per week position is provided by the Buncombe County Service Foundation, an arm of the County's Health and Human Services.

Her role will be to help bridge the gap between the Ministry and other groups serving this population, and the Buncombe County Health and Human Services. Margaret will seek to provide resource information and
connect clients with resources and programs not provided through SVCM but available through Buncombe County. Margaret hopes to be a voice for clients as she helps them access such services as medical and mental health, housing, childcare, and more to address the situations of hardship for many.

Margaret has lived in Black Mountain for over 10 years and is the wife of local architect, Maury Hurt. They have three children, ranging from six to 11. She grew up in Greensboro, NC, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has served in numerous capacities in this community, including the Primary and Elementary School, Parks and Recreation sports programs, church, and several boards. Margaret has a strong heart for service and hopes this role will see positive change and make connections that will result in true help where it is needed.

Ministry receives Legacy Grant

The Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry announced that it is the recipient of a Janirve Legacy Fund Grant of $20,000 for a project entitled “Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Educational and Job Skills Program.”

“We are so pleased to receive this grant,” says SVCM director Renae Brame. “The Ministry’s education program has taken on great meaning in recent years, and these funds will help provide clients in hardship situations with assistance for college-level courses and programs, so that they might find better employment opportunities.”

Funding for this grant was provided by the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Foundation and The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Foundation is an endowment created by local people, and is dedicated to supporting the charitable needs of our community. The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Foundation is an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, a nonprofit serving eighteen counties in Western North Carolina. The Foundation is a permanent regional resource that facilitates more than $8 million in charitable giving annually. CFWNC inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and communities in Western North Carolina. More information can be found at www.cfwnc.org.

“We see in this grant a recognition of our efforts to help Ministry clients improve their lives to the extent possible,” says Brame. “We are grateful to the Community Foundation and the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Foundation for honoring us in this way.”

Homeless Shelter update

Winter has been a bit colder this year than last, which means an increased demand for shelter for the homeless. As of Tuesday, Jan. 8th, the shelter has been open 52 nights and has served 30 different people, mostly from the Swannanoa Valley. We’ve been averaging 6-8 guests per night, with as many as 10 guests in a night.

We still need 7 more late-shift volunteers for February, and for March we need 10 early shift volunteers and 14 late shift volunteers. To help, call Bill Walker at 273-0025 or email him at walkingthirteen@yahoo.com.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Football fans have made Super Bowl Sunday a popular festive tradition, but in the Valley the Souper Bowl of Caring is a giving tradition. This Feb. 3, help celebrate by bringing at least one of the following to church: a can of soup, a box of crackers, a can of pinto or kidney beans, a package of chili seasoning, a can of diced tomatoes, or a financial gift. The food you bring will help stock our pantry, and your financial donations will be added to our food fund.

HALO cards enhance Christmas

Since their introduction several years ago, HALO cards have been a popular Christmas gift option for people who care about their loved ones and about people in hardship situations. They’re not only a great gift, they’re a generous contribution to the Ministry — $11,601 this season. Hats off to outgoing president Bill Walker for coming up with the idea.

Thanks to John Moore

Volunteer John Moore has dedicated many hours in service to helping clients who want to further their education, exploring all available opportunities and connecting them to all the assistance SVCM can provide. We are more grateful to John than we can express.

Thanks to our friends at Highland Farms

We have received $6,380 from our friends at Highland Farms, thanks to their annual fuel fund drive. We are truly grateful, as this will help to keep power and heat in the homes of families who are in situations of  hardship.