Mountain Projects

Mountain folk are known to go to extraordinary lengths to help a neighbor, and they often have to because of Western North Carolina’s challenging topography. Waynesville-based Mountain Projects understands this and other regional challenges and is working hard to make life better for everyone who calls these mountains home.

For nearly 60 years, Mountain Projects has assisted Haywood and Jackson County residents by supporting social needs related to health, housing, education, transportation and aging — the same needs being addressed in the state’s Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP). When given a chance to participate in the pilot, Mountain Projects didn’t hesitate.

“It’s the work we’ve been doing for decades,” explains Brooke Smith, Mountain Projects’ assistant director. “HOP allowed us to expand the services we can offer to our clients who have Medicaid Managed Care. We’ve taken that opportunity to heart.”

Take Stephanie, for example, a Medicaid Managed Care member who was living in a home with mold and other issues that were exacerbating her child’s asthma. Through HOP, Mountain Projects was able to help her find a healthier home and move into it with support for her first month’s rent, security deposit, and utilities. HOP even helped Stephanie access HEPA filters, a vacuum cleaner and healthy home supplies. The pilot’s healthy food services ensure her family has what they need to get and stay healthy. Her child hasn’t had an asthma attack since they moved. Stephanie recently shared that HOP has been nothing short of life changing.