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.
