When disaster strikes, Americans rally to support those in need. The response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina is a testament to the strength and generosity of our community. McDowell Technical Community College is proud to be part of this effort, ensuring that students receive the support they need to continue their education and rebuild their lives.
State & Private Funding: A Lifeline for Students
The NC General Assembly acted swiftly, allocating $1.5 million to provide student scholarships and mental health support. McDowell Tech responded just as quickly, awarding scholarships and student success support to more than 1,000 students affected by the disaster.
In addition to state support, private donors and organizations stepped up. The McDowell Tech Foundation, which governs the Hurricane Relief Fund, has received $108,137 from generous contributors, including J.M. Belk Endowment, NC Community College System Foundation, Robert P. Holding Foundation, The Community Foundation of Western NC, and other concerned organizations.
These funds are directly impacting students and employees, helping them overcome hardships and continue their education.
#TechTough – Real Students. Real Resilience.
McDowell Tech’s Financial Aid Office and Foundation carefully assess needs to ensure funds reach those who need them most. Here are just a few of the students whose lives have been changed:
A Family Business Destroyed, A Future Rebuilt
A Cosmetology student saw his mother’s small business wiped out by the storm. Already from a low-income family, this loss left them in a financial crisis. Relief funds helped him cover essential expenses, including travel, housing, and food, so he could stay in school.
Five Months Without Water
A Welding student didn’t have running water until late February—five months after the hurricane. The Department of Transportation had to choose between rebuilding the road or restoring water access. While she could commute to school, daily life was difficult. Thanks to relief funds, McDowell Tech provided support for bottled water, laundromat expenses, and other essentials.
An Emergency Responder Who Put His Community First
An Emergency Management student, was on the front lines during the storm, working 70-80 hours per week as a McDowell County dispatcher. He tried to keep up with school but ultimately had to take an emergency withdrawal to focus on serving the community. Ordinarily, withdrawing would have cost him hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars—potentially preventing him from returning to school. Disaster relief funding covered his balance, allowing him to re-enroll this spring!
A Survivor Who Never Gave Up
Another Cosmetology student lost everything—her home, belongings, and sense of normalcy. Yet, on the first day back after the storm, she was in class.
Knowing she needed support, the young woman approached McDowell Tech for help. Thanks to relief funding, we provided new uniforms so she could continue her training without financial stress.
“My mom told me I didn’t have to go to school,” the young woman shared. “But coming to school was a distraction—it gave me a way to escape, even just for a little while.”
Her classmates became her family, rallying around her. Through all the devastation, she never missed a single class.
#TechTough: A Community That Cares
These students exemplify the resilience, determination, and spirit of McDowell Tech. They are #TechTough, pushing forward despite unimaginable obstacles.
Our faculty and staff also embody the college’s core values every day—caring, support, reliability, and sincerity. McDowell Tech is more than just a place to learn; it’s a lifeline, a support system, and a community that lifts each other up.
If you’d like to support students like the ones we highlighted above, consider partnering with us. Your generosity can help change lives.
Visit us at https://mcdowelltech.edu/foundation-mtcc/ to learn how you can partner with us to help students succeed.
