Reasons to Tri

Last Friday a friend and I stood outside the REI in Asheville for three hours dressed in full triathlon-garb, trying to reign people with our attractive spandex and knee-high socks.  It worked...sort of. One volunteer and a handful of "Yeah, I'll check that out".  At least we looked good, though!...right?

With the triathlon only 9 days away, here at the Housing Assistance and Mainstay, our efforts to get people to register have doubled.  As have our stress levels. Yesterday we had another grueling meeting tackling all sides of logistics (who knew there were so many facets to consider when organizing a triathlon?)  But as we sort through all the necessary kinks to make this event run as smoothly as possible and all loose ends are tied, we sometimes forget our own bottom line: raising money so we may continue serving our community efficiently.  I want to take a breather from the training tips and turn the spotlight on the organizations that are making all this happen. We get so caught up in the physical preparation (which is, don't misunderstand me, extremely necessary) that we forget about who is really benefiting from our participation.

The Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) is a private, non-profit organization committed to providing safe and affordable housing for persons of limited income, serving those living in Henderson County and surrounding areas. Their programs include Self-Help housing, a sweat-equity building scheme where neighbors help each other build their own home; a home-repair program for people who may be physically or financially unable to maintain the condition of their homes; a credit counseling program to ease people into home-ownership; as well as developing beautiful multi-family complexes for low-income individuals. The development of Oak Haven, a low-income senior living community, was just completed this month. One resident says of the apartments, "They're more like mainstream apartments than traditional handicap places." "I don't feel like I'm being put into an ugly, utilitarian place. These are beautiful." The grand opening will be held at Oak Haven Apartments on Old Spartanburg Hghw September 21 - open to the public!

In Henderson County, based on projected in come and population growth, an estimated 482 units of affordable rental housing and 138 units of single family housing will be needed each year for the next ten years.  However, current development plans project annual construction of only 30 units of affordable rental units and 20 units of single family housing[1]. Therefore it is imperative that a region deeply rooted in agriculture and rural neighborhoods has access to the affordable housing accommodations that HAC provides.  

This triathlon is HAC's biggest fundraising event of the year. This year will also be the organization's 25th anniversary.  Help them ring in their silver anniversary by showing your support.  Because they "believe every human being deserves the opportunity to live in a decent home."

Mainstay is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is best known to the public for its shelter for battered women and their children. One of the largest in Western North Carolina, their facility has twenty-three beds and six cribs. While the shelter is, without a doubt, a critical part of the agency's programming, Mainstay is more than a shelter as they offer a variety of services to the community. Programs include a 24-hour response telephone line and 34 bed emergency shelter, individual counseling for adult victims and their children, case management, court advocacy and support groups.  These groups emphasize anger management skills and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their actions. Outreach services are available to the community through their Family Services Center.

In 2011, 120 shelter beds were offered to women, 92 beds to children; the average length of time spent at the shelter was 34 nights; 200 individuals participated in the Family Violence class.

Mainstay is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A broad range of services, provided by a small paid staff and over 100 dedicated volunteers, are available to the individuals and families that we serve. Mainstay continues to rely on the generosity of the community for donations of money, time, and goods for our shelter, store, and other programs.

 Over time, Mainstay has evolved from a strictly crisis-driven agency to one striving to develop longer-term services addressing community needs such as low-income housing and the unavailability of medical, mental health and substance abuse resources, especially for the uninsured. An additional concern is the risk to children who are homeless due to domestic violence or poverty.

This is Mainstay's 7th triathlon that they are hosting. By supporting the triathlon you are also helping to sustain the persistent and efficient care Mainstay provides to the whole community of Hendersonville, NC. 

So this next week, as you are preparing your minid for what is promised to be a fulfilling and fun event, keep these two organizations in your thoughts as well. If completing the race isn't enough for yourself, then do it for the Housing Assistance Corp and Mainstay! 

[1] Asheville Regional Housing Consortium Housing Needs Assessment and Market Study, November 2009.