Appalachian Voices invites you to become a Community Resilience Ambassador!

Hurricane Helene showed how vulnerable Western North Carolina and East Tennessee can be to extreme weather and other climate risks. It also revealed the strengths of our communities and the power of neighbors helping neighbors. 

This year-long leadership program will help us prepare for and respond to both everyday and extraordinary disasters through learning from each other, training in emergency preparedness and other topics, and co-creating tools and resources that build strong community connections.

Ten people will be selected from across the region to be a part of this regional Appalachian leadership cohort. Over the course of a year, we will meet bi-monthly to build relationships and learn from each other and experts in the field of climate resilience.

Together we will learn:

• How to identify extreme weather risks and other dangers that could affect homes, neighborhoods, and communities 
• Practical skills to prepare for disasters, reduce risk and teach others how to do the same 
• How to facilitate and lead meetings/workshops that build community for the long haul 
• How to create a community emergency response plan 
• How to organize community projects and activities that build resilience.  

Each participant will identify a project based on the needs of their community. With support from other participants and program leaders, they will develop training sessions and plan events that address their community’s needs to build long-term resilience. Facilitators and experts will guide the series, while participants help shape what we learn and work together to create a regional resilience toolkit. We’ll also work together to find funding to turn visions into action.

Who should apply?

We are looking for people in East Tennessee or Western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene who want to strengthen their community’s preparedness and resilience efforts, whether they’re just getting started or already leading local efforts.

Participating means coming to the in-person orientation and joining the virtual meetings held twice a month. The group works best when people participate consistently, building trust and cohesion within the cohort.

If you are interested in being a resilience ambassador, please fill out the interest form by December 11, 2026. Questions? Contact [email protected].