WNC Civic Hub

02/19/2026

What we are reading:https://www.aspencsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Supporting-Rural-Hubs.pdf

02/13/2026

With Center for Domestic Peace, Inc. – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

02/13/2026

We are reaching out to rural opinion leaders (aka influencers), across western North Carolina who want to share their experiences on economic struggle, Appalachian culture and what prosperity looks like to them.

Reading this short blog from The Aspen Institute is a good reminder that rural leaders may not come from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Insights on the deep connection between community leaders and place and why welcoming practices are essential for thriving communities.

02/03/2026

Find a few progress/process documents at this link: https://www.burischalmers.org/civic-hub-documents/

02/03/2026

Angie here! More information on poverty for those who want to learn more:

U.S. Census Bureau research introduces a proposed expanded definition of persistent poverty at subcounty levels.

02/03/2026

Shelby here! We're using this page as a storage place for our notes and procedures - eventually we will provide this information in a different format.
Jan 29, 2026 Meeting summary is below:

01/14/2026

FOR CONTEXT regarding the SOCIAL SAFETY NET

This JAMA Forum discusses potential changes under the Trump administration such as decreasing funding to federal nutrition programs, increasing barriers to enrollment in social safety net programs, and imposing work requirements.

01/14/2026

FOR CONTEXT regarding the SOCIAL SAFETY NET

Government benefits can increase civic participation, strengthen trust in society, and improve compliance with the rule of law. Taking them away can do the opposite.

01/14/2026

Community Action Meeting Notes - 12/9/25
This is the first Google Meets mtg of community action representatives. We are missing several important people from the Far Western District. Thanks to all in attendance.

Feedback given regarding in-person gathering:
- Content to share Moral Foundations, Change Theory and Drivers of Change, Person-Environment Theory, and (what else do we need to study as a group) - and who are our speakers?

- Meetings will be half-day events

- Asheville is the geographical midpoint for the first in-person meeting

- Need to confirm participation from several agencies that
agreed to participate, but aren't present.

- Need a presentation on biases, deservingness barrier, bootstrap mentality, empathy gaps, political veils, cultural veils and systemic racism.

- Need a presentation on media trends for various purposes - stories, fundraising, changing minds.

- Individual meetings with media reps are ongoing and we will have a February meeting with that group.

Questions
How will we determine clients for stories?
How will we include public in the process?
Who are our citizen media makers who will assist with interviews?

Needs for Community Action Agencies
- A list of clear action steps for agencies (a checklist for participation)
- Agendas for next meetings (in progress)
✔ A page (WNCCivicHub in progress)
✔ A website presence (wnccivichub.org in progress)
✔ Dates for January and February meetings (in progress)

In-person meeting will be on 1/29 in Asheville.

01/14/2026

Process Notes: Over the last weeks of November 2025 we held our first WNC Civic Hub calls to discuss our project and explore ways we can work together to meet Civic Hub Business Grants objectives. Below is a collection of our objectives:

- Elevate authentic client stories that illustrate the lived experiences of individuals and families who rely on the public safety net.

- Establish a coordinated network of staff liaisons, client storytellers, and media creators to support ongoing narrative development and dissemination.

- Identify and articulate effective strategies for building trust in public safety net programs and services.

- Reframe public narratives about poverty by countering stigma and increasing awareness of the systemic issues and lived experiences that contribute to economic hardship.

- Foster informed discussion and meaningful engagement around the drivers of change related to poverty alleviation and economic mobility.

- Ensure Community Action organizations are consistently and visibly represented in community-wide conversations on poverty reduction and pathways to economic mobility.

12/25/2025

Happiest Christmas to you and yours, and thank you for checking in on the WNC Civic Hub page. We are looking forward to 2026 and all the goodness this collaboration will bring!