Southern Appalachia’s Mountain Aid Project expands ‘inclusive’ mission

MORGANTON, N.C. — The Mountain Aid Project (MAP), a nonprofit born in response to Hurricane Helene, is moving its headquarters to expand its mission in what will feature a cafe with locally-sourced goods and a community space, prepared for future natural disasters.

“It’s really about connection,” said Kristen Watson, founder of MAP, in an interview with the Click. “It’s about getting people into a space that is safe, creative, open, and also engaging them in the needs of the community.”

MAP provides relief to fellow Appalachians in Western North Carolina. With this move to downtown Morganton at 318 Bouchelle Street, Watson hopes this location will be their permanent home.

Located a few blocks from Morganton’s downtown core, the Tilted Map balances the benefits of proximity to urban activity and the quiet of a residential neighborhood. [Photo Credit: Jeffrey Howard]

Above its entryway a loosely hung banner reads: “Everyone deserves a spot on the M.A.P.” This mirrors what the group identifies as the “fifth core piece” of its mission, “fostering inclusivity and driving change through people, art, environment, and education,” according to their Sept. 5 Facebook announcement.

After interviewing two dozen residents about the Titled Map’s vision, most expressed enthusiasm and even said they had a desire to get involved. But that seems to go against how rural conservatives of Burke County leaned for their presidential choice in 2024 — 70.1% voted for Donald Trump. This administration has championed reversing diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts, rolling back several programs established in recent decades. 

“So, if you back up a little bit on the mission, there’s also the word ‘crisis,’” Watson explained, citing the diversity of personal needs. “I feel like those words can mean so many different things, and the word ‘inclusive’ in the moment is exactly what it is. I don’t have a hard time with that being a trigger word, because this truly is about connection, not division, and the word ‘inclusive’ goes right along with that, regardless of political affiliation. Everyone is welcome.”

In Burke County, 78.4%  of its residents identify as white, 8.2% Hispanic, 5.4% Black, 3.7% multiracial, 3.6% Asian, and 0.6 % Native American/other,  according to the 2020 U.S. Census.  

Mountain Aid Project team members are currently getting situated in their new location at 318 Bouchelle Street in Morganton, North Carolina. [Photo Credit: Jeffrey Howard]

“It sounds really big and complicated,” she said, “but in my heart of hearts, I feel like it’s gonna just naturally flow in that way.”