Celebrating 50 years

In 1965, Mountain
Projects was
established as a
community action
agency and part of the
federal government’s
“War on Poverty.”
Fifty years later,
through its many
programs, the agency
continues to provide
help for people in need.
Celebrating 50 years
Mountain Projects, Inc. 1965-2015
What started as a social
Patsy Dowling
Executive Director
Mountain Projects
1997–now
experiment and a beautiful
idea, has in the past
50 years
become a lifeline for many
families in both Jackson and
Haywood Counties.
Moving in the Right Direction
When Lisa Wittman became a mother in high school, she
dropped out of school. It took a few years for her to get back
to her studies, but now she takes Adult High School classes at
the Mountain Projects Center
in Sylva. She also has a child
enrolled in the Head Start program. Mountain Projects also
helped her find suitable housing for her family through the
Section 8 Rental Assistance
program.
Lisa knows that her key to
self- sufficiency is getting
an education. With the help
of Mountain Projects, she is
making that goal come true.
“If it weren’t for Mountain Projects,
I don’t know what I would do. I would
probably be downhill. They stand
behind me. They always have my back.”
— Lisa Wittman
Mountain Projects Client
2 • Mountain Projects: 50 Years
For the past 17 years, Patsy Dowling has provided leadership and direction
for Mountain Projects. She worked to increase public awareness of community needs and was instrumental in the expansion of services and resources
available to clients.
According to Patsy, one of the greatest accomplishments Mountain Projects has made under her direction is the expansion of affordable housing
options. “The agency took out a loan that enabled us to begin the self-help
housing program with the construction of Aviemore Village, a 24-apartment
complex for the elderly and disabled in Haywood County. This was a first for
Mountain Projects. The agency went on to co-develop The Havens in Jackson
County and Smoky Meadows in Haywood County. Currently, we are working
on our fourth subdivision. Mountain Projects also took over the management of the REACH apartments in Jackson County and a group of small
efficiency apartments in Clyde. “ Dowling said.
As a young child, Patsy was enrolled in the Jackson County Head Start
program after her mother received a visit from a Mountain Projects worker.
“I remember all of the wonderful toys they had in the classroom that I didn’t
have at home. I still remember this big rocking horse and having to wait for
my turn to ride it.”
Growing up, Patsy always wanted to be a schoolteacher, so she pursued the
education to achieve this dream. “But, when I was doing my student teaching in Fairview, I received a rude awakening. I didn’t know that children came
to school cold and hungry and dirty in ragged clothing. “she said. “I realized
that children cannot learn and are not interested in learning when their
basic human needs are not being met. I wanted to do something.”
This revelation prompted Patsy to change her major at Western Carolina
University to Social Work.
When Patsy first came to Mountain Projects, she was Director of the Foster
Grandparents program. “It was the perfect job,” she said, “helping seniors
working with children. That was when I also fell in love with senior adults.”
“Over the years I have seen a multitude of people helped, there are so many
stories. I am often humbled seeing the impact our programs make in people
lives. And I will never tire of watching children eat when they are hungry.”
Patsy said with a wide smile.
Past Executive Directors
Gerald Davis-10/1965–11/1965
Bruce Wike- 12/1965–3/1966
Jeffrey McArthur- 3/1966–12/1967
Bob Leatherwood
Sara Q. Brown
Executive Director
1988–1997
Executive Director
1985–1987
George Carpenter- 12/1967–6/1985
Sara Q. Brown- 1985–1987
Bob Leatherwood-1988–1997
Patsy Dowling-1998–Current
One of the first tasks Sara Queen Brown
remembers about her time at Mountain Projects
was getting people signed up for Social Security, but the project closest to her heart is Head
Start, an early childhood education program.
“We had one child who didn’t know about eating utensils and used her hands to eat,” Brown
said. “We worked with her, and her parents, too,
and we really made a difference. We helped to
get this family out of poverty.”
A Mountain Projects staff member for 18 years,
Bob was originally hired to investigate alternative fuels to help low income families, and over
the years saw many programs initiated to fulfill
community needs at that time. He says the motto of the day was “If we don’t do this, who will?”
For example, “A lot of people in the county
didn’t have septic tanks and were straight piping
sewage directly into nearby streams. A lot of
these families were elderly or had low-income. Working in conjunction with the county
Health Department, we helped improve living
conditions through weatherization projects
and house improvements. We helped a lot of
people and also helped improve water quality
in many streams in the area,” Leatherwood said.
Mountain Projects Timeline: Fifty years of helping people help themselves.
1965
• Mountain Projects Chartered as a
Non-Profit
• Began a summer Head-Start program
1966- 1969
• Telephone obtained for the Canada
target area
• Lady Bird Johnson visited Canada area of
Jackson County
• Began Family Planning program
1970-1974
• Began operating a Neighborhood Youth
Corporation
• Began a congregate meal program for
senior citizens
• Offered free tax services for lowincome families and senior citizens
• Telephone service obtained for
Waterville and Mt. Sterling
1975-1979
• Meals on Wheels program started
• Began Section 8 Rental Assistance
program in Haywood County
• Received grant to begin
weatherization projects
1980-1984
• Food Service Division was founded
• Received grant to begin job placement
and training programs
• Set a state record for the most homes
weatherized in a single month
1985-1989
• Received grant to begin the Foster
Grandparents Program and the
RSVP Program (Retired and Senior
Volunteers)
• Applied for first grant for housing
rehabilitation
• Received USDA Housing Preservation
Grant
1990-1994
• Began Haywood Public Transit
• Opened Haywood County Volunteer
Center
• Received grant to operate an Affordable
Home Ownership program for Jackson
County
• Began Family Self Sufficiency program
through Section 8 Rental Assistance
• Sponsored first VISTA project
• Expanded the Senior Companion
program
• Began a GED Lab in Jackson County
• Completed 18 homes for first-time home
owners in Clyde
• Completed Aviemore Village, a 24-unit
apartment complex in Clyde for elderly
and disabled citizens
• Began HUD home ownership program
2005-2009
• Began construction on Barefoot Ridge
• Began “Safe at Home” program
• In partnership with GEM Management,
2000-2004
completed construction of The Havens, a
24 apartment complex in Jackson Coun• Began Self-Help Housing Program
ty for disabled citizens or individuals
• Began Wood Cutting program
over 60 years of age.
• Opened Kneedler Child
• Received grant to begin Haywood
Development Center
Community Connections program
on the WCU campus.
• Completed 29 homes with the second
Self-Help grant
(Left:) In December
1975, the first Meals on • Began sponsorship of Crisis Intervention
Wheels meals served in
Program
Haywood and Jackson
• Began CRASH program in Jackson
counties were picked up
County- Coalition to Reduce Alcohol &
at Bill’s restaurant and
Substance Abuse On Our Highways.
delivered by Mountain
•
Began
Homeless Prevention and Rapid
Projects workers and
1995-1999
• Began Christmas Box project for seniors
Re-Housing program
• In partnership with community began
“Share the Warmth” program
• Received grant to increase public
transporation
• Received grant to begin Early Head Start
program.
2010-2014
• Held a week-long summer Teen Institute
with participants from 10 counties
• Opened a computer lab and Brain Gym
at the Senior Resource Center
• Initiated the Healthy Ideas and Project
Lifesaver programs
• Began a program for first time juvenile
offenders with minor substance abuse
through our Teen Institue & Prevention
Services
• Completed the new Haywood Public
Transit facility in Clyde
• Received the North Carolina Housing Award for the Barefoot Ridge
community
• Began Circles of Hope program
• Provided assistance with the Backpack
Program for Head Start and Early Head
Start children
volunteers.
Mountain Projects: 50 Years • 3
Mountain Projects- Head Start
Head Start began as a pilot summer program. It was one
of the first three programs initiated by
Mountain Projects.
Our partnership with our
parents is important to
promote family success
in self-sufficiency. The skills
taught in our classrooms
can help students be
successful in school
and beyond.
— Holly Crawford,
Head Start Director
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TODAY, there are six Head Start Centersfour in Haywood County and two in Jackson
County. These centers provide children 3-5
years old from low-income families with
educational, health and nutrition, and social
services.
Through its four Early Head Start centers, the
agency serves children 0-3 years of age. There
are three Early Head Start centers in Haywood
County and one in Jackson County.
It is the goal of Head Start to teach children to
interact with their peers on a social level and
to assist the children’s families in achieving
self-sufficiency. Parents are encouraged to
be active participants in their child’s educational process. Head Start is free of charge to
eligible families.
1968
Reflecting on a 38-year career
Until the late 1980’s, the Head Start program in Jackson
County was served by teachers who made home visits. Pat
Bennett began her career with Mountain Projects as one of
those teachers and covered the area from Balsam to Sylva.
Pat has logged in 38 years with the agency and has held a
variety of jobs.
“Working so long for Mountain Projects, I have
helped a lot of people. We treat everyone
the same. It makes you feel fulfilled to get a
person pointed in the right direction.”
— Pat Bennett, Community Services Block 4 • Mountain Projects: 50 Years
Grant Coordinator, Sylva Office
Mountain Projects- Housing Services
Mountain Projects believes that families, the disabled and the elderly should be able
to live in a home that is safe, warm, affordable and enhances their standard of living.
Through its varied programs, Mountain Projects can help people achieve the dream of owning
their own home, making the home they already have more efficient and safe or help with a complete renovation of a home in need of maintenance and repairs. The agency can also provide rental
assistance and in the winter, emergency heating assistance is available. All clients must meet the
eligibility requirements.
Weatherization Program
Being cold is not only uncomfortable but it
is also dangerous for the elderly, people with
disabilities and for households with children.
For a low income family, cranking up the
thermostat is not always an option. Making
a home more energy efficient often reduces
the energy consumption by 20% or more.
Mountain Projects technicians use computerized energy audits and advanced diagnostic technologies to determine the most
cost-effective measures for each home.
“I was part of the second phase of the
self-help home building project. We did
everything so it was a win-win
situation for me. I got a new home
plus I gained knowledge on how to do
construction work.”
The weatherization pr
ogram began
in 1979 and continues
to help many
homeowners each ye
ar.
Making homes warmer for 31 years
Vivian Bumgarner’s first job at Mountain Projects, in 1984, was
measuring windows for the Weatherization Program. She has
continued to work in various capacities in the Housing Services
area, although she has cut up pallets for firewood and helped
deliver meals at one time.
As the Housing Development Coordinator, she does client interviews, takes applications, and puts out bids for contract work.
“It’s a lot of paper work and paying the bills. But
knowing that the work we do can make such a
dramatic difference in a person’s home is very
rewarding. “ — Vivian Bumgarner
—Shannon Blaylock, Homeowner
Owner Built Housing
Owning a home of your own is a dream for
many families. This program provides groups
of families the opportunity to help each other
build homes by working together under the
guidance of a construction supervisor. The
future homeowners provide at least 65% of
the construction labor. This reduces the cost
of the homes by approximately 30% and with
a low interest rate and no down payment
makes home ownership more affordable and
obtainable.
Through the Heating and Air Repair
and Replacement Program (HARRP),
Mountain Projects can repair or replace heating
systems that are not working.
The Single Family Rehabilitation
Program will provide renovation of existing, moderately-deteriorated, single-family,
owner-occupied homes. This service is available
to lower income households with one or more
elderly or disabled fulltime household member.
It is also available for homes with identified
lead hazards in which a child six years old or
younger resides.
The Safe at Home Program helps clients,
60 years or older, with repairs to their homes.
Repairs must make a home safer such as the
installation of ramps, grab bars and doors.
Other programs that enable Mountain Projects
to provide assistance with housing repairs
are the Urgent Repair Program and the
Housing Preservation Grant.
Section 8 Housing
Families who currently pay more than 30% of
their adjusted gross, monthly income for rent
and utilities are eligible for rental assistance
through this program. Mountain Projects is
committed to helping the homeless, low income families, the elderly, handicapped,
disabled, and large families find safe, decent
and sanitary housing.
Housing Development Coordinator
Mountain Projects: 50 Years • 5
Mountain Projects- Senior Services
As people age, it is vital for them to stay connected to the people and world
around them. Through Mountain Projects programs and services geared
especially toward senior adults, many seniors find new friends, a center to
enjoy other’s company and fulfillment through volunteer opportunities.
“At the Senior Resource Center we
focus on helping older adults to live in
their own homes as long as they wish.
Through our programs, they keep active
and stay involved.”
—John Chicoine, Senior Services Manager
Sara Brown
serving a free
meal to a
senior citizen
in 1974, the
year the
Congregate
Nutrition
Program
began.
The Congregate Nutrition Program
A nutritional meal and a time to socialize with
friends is what many seniors look forward to
when they visit one of three senior nutrition
sites in Haywood County. They also take part
in crafts, seminars, field trips, bingo and other
games. The program is free to anyone age 60
and older. Nutrition sites are the Canton Senior
Center, Maggie Valley Nutrition Program for the
Elderly and the Waynesvile Nutrition Program
for the Elderly.
Joan Calvert
Housing
Services client
and a Foster
Grandparent
Joan Calvert turned to Mountain Projects
to first get her home insulated through
the Weatherization program. She later
qualified for total home rehabilitation.
The contractors put on a new roof,
installed vinyl siding and new windows,
put laminate flooring down, renovated
her bathroom and upgraded her heating
system. She is very thankful for the
improvements to her home and is
thrilled with her new heating bill.
Joan also participates in the Foster
Grandparent program four days a week.
6 • Mountain Projects: 50 Years
In-Home Services
As people age, many people find the basic
functions of maintaining their own household a
challenge. In-home services provides assistance
with activities such as housekeeping, cooking, shopping and errands as well as offering
companionship. This program is free to seniors
60 years of age or older who meet the eligibility
requirements.
Senior Companions Program
Senior Companions are healthy older adults
who provide assistance to other seniors
with such tasks as grocery shopping, daily
household tasks and providing much needed
companionship. They serve frail older adults,
adults with disabilities, and those with terminal
illnesses. Their efforts enable many seniors to
continue to live independently in their own
homes or communities.
The Foster Grandparent Program
Bringing with them the wisdom of age, Foster
Grandparents make a difference in children’s
lives by direct interaction with them. Foster
Grandparents act as mentors and tutors to
children and youth with special needs. They
can help these children develop the skills, confidence and strength to succeed in life.
Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Many senior adults find purpose and fulfillment
through volunteer activities. The Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helps people
age 55 and older find service opportunities
in their home communities. The program
finds volunteer opportunities for seniors that
match their personal interest and utilizes their
acquired skills and knowledge.
Mountain Projects- Other Services
The Senior Resource Center
Many resources geared toward senior adults
are available at the Senior Resource Center.
There are meeting rooms, a Boomerang Brain
Gym and a computer lab. Other programs
include Phone Assurance, Project Lifesaver,
and SHIP (Senior Healthcare Information
Program). Also, seniors can participate in the
many special activities and field trips that
are planned.
Haywood Public Transit
For people who have no means of Transportation, Haywood Public Transit makes it possible for
them to have access to medical care, jobs, education, social settings, shopping or just “getting
out.” For many residents, it is their only form of transporation. The Transit System began in 1990
and moved into new facilities in January 2013.
Joy Teetsel (third fro
m right) says she mee
ts
like-minded senior cit
izens twice a week to
play
Hand and Foot at th
e Senior Resource Ce
nter.
Her group is just one
of many that meets
to
play various card ga
mes throughout the
week.
”Card games are
a wonderful way
to
stay mentally acut
e and fulfill a need
for socialization.”
– Joy Teet
sel
Approximately 240 pe
ople play card games
at
the Senior Resource
Center monthly.
Circles of Hope
Part of the National
Without Circles,
Circles Campaign,
I would still be
Circles of Hope of
wandering aimlessHaywood County
ly searching for my
and Jackson County niche in life. Circles
is committed to
isn’t there to get us
helping families
out of poverty but
get completely out
to gives us the tools
of poverty by
and guidance, mobuilding new
tivation and insight
systems of support
to get ourselves out
that will help
of poverty through
thousands achieve
hard work.
–Sarah Lanning
economic stability. A
Circle Leader
Circles initiative
consists of families
working to get out of poverty and several
middle and upper income Allies who befriend
them and lend support. The family is the circle
leader, setting direction for activities. With
the help of their allies, each family sets and
achieves goals unique to their own needs.
GED and Adult High School Classes
Mountain Projects in partnership with Southwestern Community College offers night-time
GED and Adult High School Classes at the Sylva
office. Classes feature individualized instruction
as well as group dynamics. The teachers are
encouraging and helpful.
Western North Carolina Teen Institute
and Prevention Services (WNCTIPS)
WNCTIPS serves youth, families and communities in the seven far Western North Carolina
counties. Through targeted efforts, the program works to reduce substance abuse and
other risky behaviors.
With an emphasize on peer leadership and
positive life skills, WNC Teen Institute trains,
mobilizes and empowers youth to prevent
substance abuse and destructive behaviors in
themselves and their peers. Participants also
have opportunities to attend training workshops, seminars, and conferences
With the aid of Prevention Services, individuals,
families and communities can become partners
in the prevention of substance abuse.
WNC Navigators
Western North Carolina (WNC) Health Insurance Navigators help people understand the
Affordable Care Act (ACA), a person’s healthcare
options, how to enroll in a plan that meets
their needs, and how to keep up to date on the
latest news/alerts from the federal marketplace
exchange.
Food Services
Mountain Projects Food Services provides food
for the Senior Centers, the Head Start sites and
the Southwestern Early Education Centers.
Mountain Projects: 50 Years • 7
Sponsorships
Mountain Projects, Inc.
Board of Directors
2015
Lynda Sossamon
Charles E. Elders–Vice Chair
Thank you for supporting Mountain Projects’
50th Anniversary Celebration.
A special thank you to
Harrahs Cherokee Casino Resort
and The Mountaineer.
Mark Swanger–Chairman
Thurza McNair Gavin Brown
Silver Level
Lynn Milner
Silver Bluff, LLC
Bob Cochran
Patron Level
Ira Dove
Amy Sims Sara Brown
GEM Management
Medcost
Georgia Forney
Sponsor
Richard Frady–Secretary
Allison Outdoor Advertising, LTD
Mark Clasby
Hal Kaplan
McElroy Oil
Brenda Oliver-Holt
United Carolina Bank
Anthony Cabe
Elizabeth (Libba) Feichter
Veronica Nicholas
Brenda Oliver–Past Chair Sonja Haynes
Scott Sutton,
Alternate for Sonja Haynes
Robert G. Fulbright–Treasurer
Matthew Wells
John J. Pavey, Jr. P.A. ,
Agency Attorney
Archive cover photo:
(The Sylva Herald, May 29, 1969)
This group of children participated in
a tutorial program at the Tannery Flats
Community Development Club building.
Co-sponsors of the program were the WCU
Baptist Student Union annd Mountain
Projects, Inc. Standing at the left is Lawrence Ramsey, community coordinator for
Mountain Projects. At the far right is the
Rev. E. A. Armstrong, community organizer
for Tannery Flats which was one of the
13 original targeted areas for Mountain
Projects.
Operation
Med
Projects pro icare Alert was the fi
rst Mounta
gram, follo
in
we
Youth Corp
s and Head d by the Neighborhoo
d
S
ta
Youth Corp
s workers in rt. (Above) Neighborh
ood
March of 1
966.
Companion
Mountain Projects’
first grant was
from the Office
of Economic
Opportunity in
the amount of
$52,021. Current
revenues are over
$10,000,000.
The agency
touches more
than 7000 lives
per month.
97% of our
clients are the
working poor,
disabled, elderly
or handicapped.
For more information about the programs
in this publication, call 828-452-1447.
Visit us on facebook!
www.mountainprojects.org
Robert and Patricia Fulbright
Larry and Millie Hershenson
Thurza McNair
Town of Clyde
Friend
Janet Burham
John and Jan Chicoine
Bob and Deborah Cochran
Holly Crawford
Patsy Dowling
Libba Feichter
Richard and Ellen Frady
Jane Harrison
Lynn Milner
Peter Mudge
Amy Sims
John and Carolyn Sizemore
Sylva Herald
Cheryl Wilkins