Participants in the day included representatives of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team, the Appalachian State University Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry, and musician and speaker David LaMotte, who delivered a keynote address and an event-closing concert.
Watch: Western North Carolina Reflects on the Anniversary of Hurricane Helene
Jackie Henry, who was part of the Hope for Helene steering committee, shared why the event was an important aspect of the region’s recovery. “As a psychologist, I know that whether it’s individual trauma or collective disaster response, the single strongest predictor of recovery isn’t the severity of what happened to us — it’s the quality of support we receive afterward. Social connection literally rewires our traumatized brains, helping us move from hypervigilance back to trust, from isolation back to belonging.”
“After Helene, our trauma was met with an outpouring of love and support that transcended political and social divides and honored our shared humanity. The Hope After Helene events rose organically from that very same spirit of generosity — a community choosing to heal together.”
View images from Hope After Helene
Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)
Let us join in prayer for:
Analise Brown, Registrar & Administrative Assistant, Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium, Interim Unified Agency
Joey Brown, Associate, Direct Mail and PILLARS, Administrative Services Group, A Corporation
Let us pray:
God of comfort and renewal, we remember those who were affected by the storms and the long road of recovery that followed. We give thanks for communities that come together in compassion, support and shared hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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