Helene Recovery


Aerial shot of A-B Tech campus with #abtechstrong text overlay.

As WNC recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, A-B Tech's primary concern is the safety and welfare of our employees and students. This page will serve as a central resource for our statements, plans, community resources, and more. Look for updates via college text alerts and email, but you also may check this page and the A-B Tech Facebook and Instagram accounts for additional information. #abtechstrong #strongertogether

 

Current A-B Tech Reopening Statement

When A-B Tech reopened in late October, classes that required "hands-on" instruction resumed in-person classes, while many of our general education and Arts & Sciences classes met online to complete the Fall Semester. This gradual reopening gave the college time to reopen some buildings while also tending to other disaster-related needs. When Spring Semester classes begin on January 6, A-B Tech will return to normal instruction modes and reopen all buildings. If you have any questions, please contact Admissions or Advising.

 

Disaster Relief Funding for Students

A-B Tech has received more disaster relief funds to help you pay for college! We know these are challenging times for most people in our community and hope to ease your concerns about how to pay for college. As this year comes to a close and we look ahead to a new beginning in January 2025, please know that A-B Tech values our students and is grateful for your decision to pursue an education with us. Please let us know how we can help you achieve your educational goals.

For academic students who intend to enroll in Spring Semester classes, the variety of special funding means that most students will qualify for free tuition! To explore your options and ask questions, academic students should email Financial Aid at financialaidoffice@abtech.edu.

Hurricane Helene Emergency Scholarships for students impacted by the storm

Applications for Fall students will close on December 12 at 11:59 p.m. Eligible students will receive a notification award within two weeks of application submission, or as soon as otherwise practicable.

Hurricane Helene Spring 2025 Tuition Grants

All students enrolled in curriculum or Workforce Continuing Education courses are eligible. Funds will be granted on a first-come first-served basis, and funding is limited.

  • New academic students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA and must submit an application form to the financial aid office to be awarded: Hurricane Helene Spring 2025 Tuition Grant Application
  • Academic students that previously submitted a Hurricane Helene Emergency Scholarship Grant Application will automatically be awarded and do not need to submit a new application
  • Continuing Education students should contact Catherine Redwine at catherineredwine@abtech.edu.

Helene Assistance for NextNC Eligible Students

Emergency funding of up to $926 ($463 per semester) is available to eligible NextNC students for the 24-25 academic year

  • Students awarded NextNC Scholarships for the Fall have automatically been awarded
  • New students should complete the FAFSA form

Students with Emergency Withdrawals for Fall classes

Students retaking Fall classes in Spring 2025 should submit a Hurricane Helene Spring 2025 Tuition grant application and answer the question "yes" if they are retaking a course they dropped in the Fall. The Financial Aid and Business Office will work together to ensure the student's tuition and course fees are fully covered. Please note, that students will not automatically retake the class for free – submission of an application is required.

 

Curriculum (Academic) Programs

The safety and security of our students are of the utmost importance. Like you, our faculty and staff are dealing with post-Helene problems. Due to the loss of instructional time, lack of water on the main campus, and other storm-related issues, the College implemented a phased reopening.

  • Emergency Services, Allied Health, and Nursing cohorts, and some CTE programs will resume before October 28, Look for information from your program faculty about when your classes will restart.
  • All other classes will begin on October 28. Monitor Moodle for information about changes to course times, dates, and format.
  • The first 8-week semester will be extended to December 11.
  • The second 8-week semester will begin November 4 and end December 18.
  • Emergency Incomplete grades and withdrawals are available. Please talk to your faculty about the best option for you.
  • Note: The payment deadline for Spring 2025 classes has been extended to December 13.

 

Continuing Education and Workforce Training Programs

We are looking forward to our “normal” days and having all of our students, staff, faculty, and partners back on campus.

Because of the variety of classes offered in continuing education, there is no "one size fits all" approach for resuming courses. We will make every effort to complete those classes that were interrupted, try to relocate some to other locations, or in some instances when feasible, move to online instruction. What we cannot finish this term, we will make arrangements to restart in the January term with a priority list for students who were enrolled in fall classes.

For our business partners: we will need your assistance in completing customized training at your facility. The customized training director will be reaching out to you to discuss opportunities.

Please direct any questions to the following contacts:

 

Transitional Studies (ELA/ESL, HSE/GED, and SOAR) Programs

In-person classes resumed on Monday, October 28. Monday starts Fall B classes. Please note that our Fall B semester will now run from 10/28 - 12/18. We are being asked to stay within the Hemlock building and parking lot areas at this time. There is still much emergency relief activity happening around campus and some areas remain closed. We anticipate being able to return to normal on November 4 and will keep you posted.

At this stage, we also want to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees and students. If you have any questions, please contact Transitional Studies Director Kenna Sommer at kennaksommer@abtech.edu.

 

Community Resources

United Way

Call 211 or visit United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

  • Disaster Relief
  • Donations
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Reception Center: 50 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County) - Anyone in the area looking for a volunteer opportunity is welcome to go to the new Volunteer Reception Center for volunteer assignments. A variety of skills are needed, so there is something for everyone.

OneBuncombe (Buncombe County Government)

Call (828) 250-6100 or visit Buncombe County Government Hurricane Helene Information

  • Emergency Info and Services Updates
  • Volunteering & Helping
  • Recovery Assistance from Federal, State & Partners
  • Report Missing Persons
  • Voting Updates

Asheville City Government

Visit Asheville City Government Hurricane Helene Information

  • Water Service Updates
  • Impacted Services
  • Debris Removal
  • Relief Assistance & Resources
  • How to Help

FEMA Disaster Relief Assistance

As of October 29, the Disaster Recovery Center has relocated from A.C. Reynolds High School to Cane Creek Pool, 590 Lower Brush Creek Road in Fairview.

The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a one-stop shop for assistance, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration. We encourage people who have been impacted by the storm to visit the Disaster Recovery Center. Assistance teams are also going out in the community to help survivors apply for assistance and report any emerging needs. Please be cautious of scammers — FEMA will never ask for money and staff will always have a badge.

FEMA also provides direct assistance at locations throughout the area that are changed daily or weekly. Visit Buncombe County Government Hurricane Helene Information for the latest information.

Pisgah Legal Services is providing free assistance with FEMA applications and other disaster-related issues. Visit the website or call (828) 253-0406.

Small Business Assistance

The United States Small Business Administration has opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted by the storm. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration for more information or visit an SBA representative in person at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Food, Drinking Water & More

Locations for free food and water vary daily. Visit the Facebook or Instagram pages for A-B Tech, Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, Madison County, BPR News, WLOS, and local organizations for daily updates. Buncombe County/OneBuncombe.org and the City of Asheville provide daily updates for Community Care Centers, FEMA locations, water distribution, and more. A-B Tech shares daily updates in our Facebook and Instagram stories and saves more permanent information in Instagram highlight bubbles.

A-B Tech students and employees also may visit the college's Food Pantry.

Community Care Stations

Community Care Stations provide space for the public to shower, do laundry, use the bathroom, access cell towers, and WiFi, get potable and non-potable water, and access counseling services. They are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hot meals are offered at each Community Care Station at lunchtime and dinnertime. Please bring towels, shower shoes, and toiletries if possible; otherwise, items will be provided. Visit the Buncombe County and City of Asheville websites or Facebook/Instagram pages for locations and updates.

Warm Clothing & Cold Weather Accessories

  • Eblen Charities at 23 Hamilton Street, Asheville, is giving away coats and warm clothes from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. daily. Additionally, a coat giveaway is scheduled for October 23 - 24. visit Eblen Charities.
  • Goodwill Donation Centers are accepting donations and providing clothing vouchers (gift cards) for those in need.
  • Bounty & Soul has warm clothing and camp stoves (the current focus is Swannanoa)

Free Counseling

Students and employees can access free counseling services through BetterHelp. If you know of anyone in our campus community or our community at large in need of counseling, please inform them that BetterHelp is offering free services for up to three months. To access this benefit, they should visit BetterHelp and use the code "hurricane-helene-support."

Student Mental Health Resources

We know this is a challenging time. If you need to process your thoughts and feelings, free, confidential counseling is available to currently enrolled students. Please see the Resource page for other supports offered to our students. Feel free to contact supportservices@abtech.edu with any specific questions.

See more Student Support Resources.

Donating to A-B Tech

Support A-B Tech Students and Employees: How to Give