Helene Recovery


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

As we recover 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. We will notify you of updates via text alerts and college email, but you also may check this page and the A-B Tech Facebook and Instagram accounts for information. #abtechstrong

 

Current A-B Tech Reopening Statement

A-B Tech reopened on Monday, October 28 for all students and programs. Please monitor text alerts, email, and Moodle for details regarding resuming academic/curriculum, continuing education, and transitional studies (ELA, HSE & SOAR) classes.

 

Disaster Relief Funding for Students

A-B Tech is here to support you through this challenging time, and we want to help make the decision to stay in or return to school a bit easier. In that spirit, A-B Tech students are eligible to receive Emergency Scholarships funded by the Hurricane Helene Recovery Act to cover essential expenses that support continued enrollment. These funds are intended to help students stay on track with their educational goals and may be used to cover tuition, fees, transportation, textbooks, and living expenses.

  • Curriculum (academic) students may apply for support at Hurricane Helene Emergency Scholarship Grant Application (CU). Please check your student email for additional instructions. Eligible students will receive a notification award within two weeks of application submission, or as soon as otherwise practicable.
  • Continuing Education students must be enrolled in an eligible program to receive scholarships. For more information, please contact Catherine Redwine at catherineredwine@abtech.edu.
  • Transitional Studies (HSE/GED, ELA/ESL, and Soar) students should call (828) 398-7433 for more information.

 

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.

Payment Deadlines

  • The payment deadline for Spring 2025 will be December 6.

Tuition Payment Plans for Fall

  • Nelnet payment plans previously set up for Fall tuition have been rescheduled to provide some relief to students impacted by the Hurricane. All tuition payments that were originally scheduled to be drafted on October 5 were rescheduled for November 5 and all payments originally scheduled for November 5 were rescheduled for December 5.
  • The 50% Payment Plan was available until November 1. One payment was due when the plan was created. The second payment will take place on December 5.

 

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