Help provide healing to those impacted by Hurricane Helene

Hello, I'm Simon Wiskowski. I'm raising money to provide no-cost one-on-one emotional healing sessions to residents of Asheville and Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville (where I live) and the greater Western North Carolina community. Many roads were washed away, the water system for the entire city of Asheville was destroyed, many people lost their homes and businesses, and far too many lost their friends and family members. Now in the aftermath of the hurricane, many in the community are hurting, depressed, fearful, and struggling to cope with the stress of rebuilding their lives.

They need physical and materialistic support AND emotional support, and that's where I can help.

A bit about me... I'm a Relationship & Couples Coach (Peace Beyond Conflict) and a Mediator & Conflict Coach (Blue Ridge Mediation) with years of experience supporting people in emotional crisis. I currently live in Asheville, North Carolina, and although my apartment wasn't washed away by Hurricane Helene, I've been without work and my savings are running critically low. If you choose to donate, the money will restore my financial stability and enable me to again do what I do best, which is help people heal their emotional pain.

Here is my plan... with the $12,000 I will offer 100, 90-minute one-on-one empathy sessions to anyone in need of emotional healing after Hurricane Helene. A one-on-one empathy session is a sacred space of presence and nonjudgemental listening that allows for the healing of emotional pain and trauma to occur naturally. Each session will be provided at no cost, and depending on the need, some people will receive more than one session.

If you feel moved to donate, thank you. Any amount of money helps. And if donating isn't right for you but you would still like to help, sharing this fundraiser will help spread the word, which is a big BIG help!

Thank you and may all beings be safe, happy, and healthy!

Simon

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Here's a closer look at the reality of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene...

A short video to understand the immensity of the flooding. Click here. (50s)

Jessie Craig lost 11 members of his family. To hear his story, click here. (3m30s)

Journalist Travis Long shares the details of what life is like for many after the destruction of Hurricane Helene. To hear his on-the-ground experience, click here. (4m30s)

The extent of the flooding in Asheville's Biltmore Village.

Roadway destruction in East Asheville. This intersection is five minutes from my home.

All of Asheville and Buncombe county lost power and cell service and was without power for a week. Now, although many in Buncombe county have had their power restored, many are still without cell service and internet.

The water system in Asheville and all of Buncombe county was destroyed and everyone was without water for weeks. Running water is as of today restored, so residents can now flush their toilets again, but the water is not safe to consume as is. All of Buncombe county is under a boil advisory and it will be months until "normal" water is restored to the county.