There are too many abused and neglected children
in Buncombe County.
HARK, INC. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that distributes funds
to help these children. We run primarily with volunteer muscle
and modest administrative costs.
Help Our Children Thrive
Helping At Risk Kids (HARK) serves Buncombe County’s most vulnerable youngsters, including kids in court-ordered protective custody, those aging out of foster care, and children without stable housing.
Social workers and local agencies help HARK identify children in need of basic, emergency, and child-specific enrichment needs.
HARK provides funding to meet the needs of these children and youth through individual and corporate donations together with community grants.
HARK, INC. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization composed of volunteers and one part-time paid administrator.
“As the Permanency Planning Program Manager at Buncombe County HHS, I am fortunate to have a front row seat to how HARK supports our foster youth experience childhood normalcy. HARK supports our foster youth in a wide variety of ways to include providing the opportunity to experience Camp experiences to supplying art supplies to meet a child’s passion for drawing. HARK is such a strong advocate to support our foster youth and their support has positive ripple effects to improve the life of a foster child.”
— Amber, HARK Advisor
HARK supports children and youth in the protective custody of social services (Buncombe County Health and Human Services) and those aging out of foster care.
Our mission includes students in Asheville City and Buncombe County schools served under the McKinney-Vento program for homelessness.
Our desire is to see all these kids get the extra support and enrichment they need to bring normalcy to their lives.
Types of Assistance We Provide
Here's a glimpse of the support we've offered, from providing urgent funding to enriching the lives of children.
Emergency Assistance to Cover Basic Necessities
HARK helps provide emergency assistance for items like shoes, clothing, bedding, cribs, carseats, and diapers for at risk children in need as well as rent and transportation assistance for families providing care.
Education & School Supplies
Through our partnering agencies, we are able to assist by providing financial support for educational services and supplies like tutoring, books, backpacks, school supplies, and technology needs to help at risk kids have the chance to succeed.
Enrichment Activities & Supplies
Thanks to HARK’s sponsors and partners, we help give at risk children the opportunity to participate in important enrichment activities by providing sports equipment and paying for summer day camps, sports camps, dance and art classes.
Please note that all requests for assistance must come through partnering agencies. Requests made directly from individuals will not be considered.
Helping At Risk Kids Thrive
Every child's journey is unique.
Together, we can make a difference
in Buncombe County.
Don't just take our word for it:
Hear what others have to say!
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“Caleb had an amazing time at camp...I picked him up from camp one afternoon and he was muddy, happy and exhausted! Thank you for the...ongoing support with these resources and requests!”
- from a Buncombe County social worker
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“Thank you so much for the hotel stay. We all got to rest and I had some much needed snuggle time with my kids.”
- from a homeless mom and her children
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“You should have seen her face - she was so appreciative of the gas cards. Thank you for everything that HARK does.”
- from a Buncombe County foster care coordinator on providing gas cards to an unaccompanied homeless youth driving herself to and from school and work
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"Thomas really enjoyed camp... He spoke highly about being encouraged to try new things, things that he probably would not have done solo. He would like to attend the whole camp next summer."
- from a Buncombe County social worker