Social Workers Invited to Help NC Social Worker and Other Hurricane Victims via the NASW Foundation Disaster Assistance Fund, GoFundMe

The NASW North Carolina Chapter is encouraging donations to the NASW Foundation Disaster Fund to help recovery efforts of local social workers and citizens impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Donations go directly to social workers and/or social welfare organizations that can help individuals who have suffered loss and need financial or other assistance due to the disaster. Click here to donate.   

In addition, you can support an NASW-NC member directly. Warren Wilson College Director of Practicum Education Sarah Himmelheber, PhD, LCSW, tragically lost her partner and father of her children who was swept away in the Swannanoa River during Hurricane Helene. Sarah, an associate professor of social work, has taken an immediate compassionate leave to care for her daughters for the rest of the semester.

Anyone who wants to help her girls in their lifelong recovery from this trauma is invited to contribute to a dedicated Gofundme.

“As social workers, we are further united not only through our professional connections but also through our shared compassion and commitment to helping those in need. I applaud the courage and dedication of fellow social workers in North Carolina and the extensive responses of the NASW-NC Chapter, as well as social workers in southwestern Virginia and other localities recovering from this terrible storm,” said Executive Director Debra Riggs of the Virginia and Metro DC chapters.  

Like North Carolina, the Virginia Chapter has a Hurricane Resources and Guidance for Social Workers section on its website with the latest news and materials for social workers who want to help or monitor the recovery.