Bridging The Gaps organizes to ensure that the most marginalized members of our community are being connected with necessary supplies and support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Asheville and Buncombe County. We are mobilizing to address the most immediate needs and also preparing to address the additional challenges our community faces in the months to come. Our top (though not exclusive) priority is ensuring the short and long-term security and stability of Black community members. This project is a collaborative initiative of the YMI Cultural Center, The People's Place, JD Ellison & Co., Noir Collective AVL, OG Synergy, OURavl, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), and other partners.

Our primary short-term focus is on identifying and supporting those neighborhoods, community clusters, and pockets of people that are in danger of being bypassed by the broader relief efforts. The community members we prioritize may not be as mobile as some others, either because they are elderly, differently abled, or lack access to a vehicle (or gasoline) or the ability to stand in long lines. 

Once the immediate crisis begins to abate, and people have reliable access to water, food, immediate shelter, and other necessities, we will expand our focus to include the forthcoming crises in our region - the loss of economic stability and permanent housing.