Testimonials
“HARK is incredibly responsive to the needs of our foster youth, kinship families, foster families, and biological families. When a request is submitted to access potential funds through the Children’s Assistance Fund, HARK readily meets the need typically within 24-48 hours. They have an active board that is committed to serving foster youth within our community. The board sacrifices their own time through their volunteerism by being strong advocates within the community seeking monetary supports from all of their local and broader networks of support. I have never found a challenge that HARK has not been able to meet with empathy, quickness, and accuracy.”
- Amber Cook, HHS Foster Care Program Manager & HARK Board Advisor
“I have had the privilege of working closely with HARK for the past three years, and I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary impact they have on at-risk children and youth. Their unwavering passion and dedication to serving these young individuals is evident in the daily work they do.
As a volunteer-driven organization, HARK consistently demonstrates a level of responsiveness and care that surpasses any other agency we collaborate with. Whether providing temporary housing in hotels and campgrounds for homeless families, offering a recliner for a student with a severe leg injury, facilitating summer camp opportunities, or supplying essential items such as clothing, shoes, and laptops for students advancing to higher education, HARK has consistently gone above and beyond to meet the needs of those they serve. Additionally, their provision of gas and Uber cards to help families and students access transportation for work or school has made a meaningful difference in many lives.
These acts of support have lightened the burden for countless families, and we are deeply appreciative of their efforts.”
— Shannon Boyd, McKinney-Vento and Foster Care Coordinator, Director Buncombe County Schools Family Resource Center
"HHS is facing significant funding cuts due to the economic impact of Hurricane Helene, forcing reductions in contract services that support our families. Our social work department has been especially affected, requiring us to seek outside resources to meet the needs of our foster youth. While we continue to provide for basic necessities, many of the additional supports we once offered to parents and foster youth are no longer possible.
HARK has been instrumental in filling these gaps, providing crucial assistance such as rental support, car repairs, clothing beyond our minimal provisions, camp experiences, field trips, and extracurricular activities for foster youth. Their rapid response ensures that these children can still experience a sense of normalcy despite our funding challenges. Without HARK, many foster youth would miss out on opportunities their peers enjoy, which could negatively impact their emotional and mental well-being. Their support is truly invaluable to our community."
- Amber Cook, HHS Foster Care Program Manager & HARK Board Advisor
“HARK has been an incredible blessing to the families I serve, truly acting as a lifeline in their time of experiencing some of life's greatest challenges. Just today, two mothers, each with multiple children, arrived separately, overwhelmed with uncertainty… HARK has been stepping in to bridge the gap, easing their anxiety by funding hotel stays—giving them the time and stability they need to regroup, plan their next steps, or transition into their new homes. HARK's support is making a profound difference in the lives of these families. I am beyond grateful for HARK’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no family has to navigate this journey alone. It is truly an honor to partner with such a compassionate and dedicated agency, working together to support those who need it most.”
- Allana Wagner, Asheville City Schools McKinney-Vento/Foster Care District Coordinator
“When we first got our foster child, we had to carry him from the car at basement level up the hill to our front door. HARK made it possible for this beautiful walk to be made so we could take him from the car directly into the house using his wheelchair. It was so much easier for him, and helped us out physically. We are so grateful for this addition that helped us provide better care for this wonderful child.”
-Foster parent, soon-to-be adoptive parent
“As Kinship providers, we receive very little financial help. We couldn’t have provided her with the Apple products. I wish you could have seen her face when she learned that HARK provided them! This child will be able to take her art and graphic design to another level. She will not waste this opportunity as she is extremely motivated to go to college and succeed in life. Thank you for this wonderful support.”
- Kinship provider
“Thank you for your help and getting me the iPad. I have been putting it to good use; taking notes at school, making art, and the occasional gaming. I’m really happy with it, so thank you for making it happen!”
- Child who received the iPad
"Thank you HARK Children’s Assistance Fund for helping me with my car insurance bill; I don’t know how I would’ve pulled it off in time. Thanks to my social worker for reaching out [to HARK] to help me with it. I'm so very thankful."
-Aging out teen in kinship placement
“Dear Friends at HARK-Buncombe County,
I want to let you know what your support has meant to my Guardian ad Litem Child Clients and their parents. Over the years, you have provided:
· Gift cards for winter jackets, boots, hats and mittens
· Gas gift cards for a dad who was driving 30 miles daily to see his three children
at their different foster placements (and his consistent visits resulted in
reunification!)
· Gift cards for parents to buy Christmas gifts for their children who were in
Buncombe County custody (resulting in “normalcy” for these separated families)
· Bunk beds for a mom’s house before she was reunified with her two children.
· Basketball camp funding for a pre-teen.
All of these donations were above what the State could offer. As you can see, your generous gifts not only benefited the children, but they were key to supporting the goal of reunification with one or both parents. In all of those cases, the long journey to reunification was attained, in part due to your support of the parents and children. I have been a Guardian ad Litem for nine years in Buncombe County and I was previously a GAL in Kane County, Illinois for four years. The dedication of Buncombe County HARK Board members is remarkable. They support not only children supported by GALs but all children in the foster care system in our county. They particularly support older children who will likely age out of the foster care system.
HARK-Buncombe County has an excellent track record of responsible stewardship of donations and requests which ultimately benefit the kids - kids who, through no fault of their own, are in the foster care system. I strongly urge any organization considering giving grants to HARK-Buncombe County to provide them without reservation. You will not find a more dedicated group of child advocates.”
With whole-hearted appreciation,
Laura, Buncombe County Guardian ad Litem
