UNC-Asheville Health and Wellness Promotion

01/29/2026

11/25/2025

📈Highlighting STEPtember Findings and Undergraduate Research in Falls Prevention 🎓

The NC Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at UNC Asheville is pleased to recognize both the outcomes of this year’s STEPtember Initiative and the scholarly contributions of Janaki Beharrysingh, a University of North Carolina Asheville Community Engaged Scholar who presented her work at the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium on November 18.

STEPtember, coordinated by the NC Falls Prevention Coalition, engages individuals and organizations across North Carolina in a month-long walking challenge designed to increase physical activity and raise awareness about fall prevention. The initiative continues to strengthen community participation in evidence-based strategies that support mobility, independence, and healthy aging.

As part of her Community Engaged Scholar project, Janaki collaborated with Ellen B. and the NC Falls Prevention Coalition to examine the processes and impact of STEPtember. Her work contributes to a growing understanding of how statewide health promotion campaigns function and how they can be improved to support population-level fall prevention efforts.

NCCHW remains committed to supporting student engagement in public health practice and research. Partnerships like this exemplify how academic inquiry and community collaboration can inform program evaluation and enhance public health initiatives and workforce entry points across the state.

11/25/2025

The Health Sciences Department and the NC Center for Health and Wellness are hosting BOOST: Break for Outreach, Optimism, Study Support and Treats on Tuesdays 12/2 and 12/9. Please feel free to stop by the office suite anytime between 8am-3pm on those days for free coffee, tea, treats, and pep talks!

Wishing you a good end of the semester!

11/03/2025

Dr Ameena Batada, UNCA professor of health sciences and faculty consultant with the NCCHW is at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting this week.

04/14/2025

A friendly reminder about the 3 fun (free!) events that the HS Student Community Coordinators have organized for you next week. See the attached flyers.

Therapy Dogs on 4/17 ; 12-1pm
Come play and hangout with therapy dogs!
*By the Rocky the Bulldog statue outside Sherrill Center/Justice Gym

Self care Night on 4/18/25 ; 5:00pm-7pm
Finals are approaching, let's take time to take care of ourselves and relax!
*in HS 225 & 226. Food provided!

Skate Night
4/20/25 ; 5-7pm
Retro Skate Night with friends to roll your stress away!
*in SRC Multipurpose courts. Pizza, drinks, snacks!

04/08/2025

The Health Sciences Student Community Coordinators (SCCs) have organized a therapy dog event for you!

The event is next Thursday, 4/17 during the free period (12-1pm) by the Rocky statue by SHE/Justice Gym. We expect 4 therapy dogs and their humans to be there and we hope you can attend!

01/22/2025

The Health Sciences Student Community Coordinators have organized a fun, creative event for HS students this Friday, January 24th.
You can come to SHE 411 from 6:30-7:30pm to paint a mug and get to know some other Health Sciences students. 🎨

12/11/2024

Buncombe County is offering housing assistance and energy assistance grants for those who are in need after the hurricane:

💡 Resources for Hurricane Helene Recovery 💡
Buncombe County residents, recovery can be challenging, but help is here! Explore these key programs to get back on track:
🌟 Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant
Up to 3 months of help with rent, mortgage, or utility bills. Applications are open through Dec. 18. Eligibility and details are in the link in our bio.
🏡 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Protect your property from future disasters with:
— Home elevation above flood levels.
— Rebuilding on a safer, higher foundation.
— Property buyouts converted to greenspace.
Apply online anytime over the next year. Start via the link in our bio!
🌊 Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP)
If storm erosion or debris threatens structures or roads, federal assistance may be available. Submit damage info online or by phone—details in our bio.
🛠️ FEMA Disaster Assistance: If you haven’t applied yet, here’s how.
🌐 Online: disasterassistance.gov
📱 FEMA App: fema.gov/app
📞 Call: 800-621-3362
🏢 Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (fema.gov/drc) for:
Direct FEMA assistance.
SBA loan and recovery support.
🛤️ Private Road/Bridge Assistance
Was your private road or bridge damaged? Support is available for primary residences.
🔥 Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP):
Eligible households can get heating bill help:
— Seniors/disabled: Apply Dec. 1–31.
— All others: Apply Jan. 1–March 31 (or until funds run out).
👉 For more info and links to all resources, check our bio or call 828-250-5500. We’re here to help!

10/31/2024

Friday Pisgah Legal & FEMA & Operation Gateway are having a special free legal event for people with FEMA challenges – with application, appeals, insurance denial, benefits enrollment, debt, bills, etc.

Location: Edington Center, 133 Livingston St, Asheville, 28801

Time:

Thursday, 10/31, 12-5pm
Friday, 11/1, 12-6pm.

Lawyers can discuss many different issues with our neighbors including:

Housing concerns for renters and homeowners
Consumer fraud & scams
FEMA appeals
Insurance denials
Bills & debt
Public benefits
Employment & unemployment

We are glad to partner with Operation Gateway who has FEMA representatives on-site to help with applications.