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"Many people think Mountain Projects is just Head Start because that was one of its first programs and its success just keeps expanding," said Dowling. Case in point - Cullowhee Valley Elementary School Pre-K Head Start just celebrated its opening Oct. 30. In this combined classroom, one teacher is a public school teacher while the other is a Head Start teacher. In nine centers and several home-based groups, Head Start serves 260 children ages 3 to 4 years.
The program strives to broaden the child's experience with the world in which they live so they can start school on an equal footing with more fortunate children.
"Head Start is the best learning experience any child can have," said Pat Collins, who has been with the program for 20 years and was director for 10 years.
The Youth Program, funded through Workforce Development, replaces JTPA and assists youth ages 14-21. Working closely with Southwestern Community College, the program serves both dropouts and those in school.
"We concentrate on helping the youth by teaching skills for them to stay in school and to obtain employment," said Dowling.
Thanks to Mountain Projects, low income families have had their homes weatherized and rehabilitated. The agency also operates an affordable home ownership program. For instance, one client family in Jackson County pays $271 a month for a house, originally purchased for $10,000, and then rehabilitated to an appraised value of $46,000. More than 30 families who are participating in the family self-sufficiency program are buying their homes. In addition, 772 families receive rental assistance annually. In a self-help housing program in Haywood County, Mountain Projects purchased land and will build three groups of six homes.
"We call this our project of not just building homes, but building neighborhoods," said Dowling. "Nobody moves in until all the houses are ready, and the owners will form their own association to govern themselves. When we have Haywood County up and running, we plan to duplicate the program in Jackson County."
In another popular program, Mountain Projects prepares more than 409,000 meals a year. These meals are transported daily to children in Head Start and day care centers and to the elderly at nutrition centers or homebound. "While we cook the meals in Jackson County, we rely on other agencies, like the Department on Aging, to help manage and deliver the meals," Dowling said.
And speaking of seniors, the Foster Grandparents Program enables low-income persons age 60 and over to remain physically and mentally active and to enhance their self-esteem by providing unconditional attention and encouragement to young children.
"Mountain Projects serves both the young and the old, and pairing the two groups meshes into a perfect bond," said Dowling, who began her job at Mountain Projects as director of Foster Grandparents.
In Jackson County you can find foster grandparents in day care centers rocking and singing to infants, or in the school system helping students who need extra help with reading or math.
In the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, seniors like Elizabeth Styles make daily phone calls to check on the safety, health and well-being of elderly persons living alone. All volunteers in the program are retirees age 55 and over in nursing or retirement homes.
"We stay involved in the community while performing a needed service," said Styles.
As the ultimate volunteer agency, Mountain Projects also manages the Volunteers in Service to America program in this area. VISTA volunteers in Jackson County serve with programs like REACH dealing with domestic violence and sexual abuse, the Community Table serving nutritious meals for those in need, the American Red Cross, the Family Resource Center and the county Volunteer Center.
Full Circle Again
One of the reasons Mountain Projects has served the public so well, Dowling said, is "because it changes with the times, like our JTPA program evolving into Workforce Development."
When people question if their government is working, Dowling refers them to Mountain Projects.
"In our own community we can see government and private enterprise working successfully side by side, still fighting that enemy of poverty here in the mountains," she said. "Our greatest success will come when we defeat the enemy.
"I've grown up with Mountain Projects," said Dowling. "It was founded here in this community and this is my home, so it's a special feeling to recognize its 35 years of success in Jackson County."
Mountain Projects has made a difference in our area for the last 35 years, said board of directors Chairman Brenda Oliver.
"We have a good board, a wonderful staff, and Patsy (Dowling) is a great director. Through her leadership many great things have been accomplished during the past two years. I hope Mountain Projects will be around for 35 more years."
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