SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 ISSUE
WAMY Community Action 45 Years in the Making
WAMY [Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey] Community Action, Inc. has provided a number of services and activities that benefit the entire community, improving the quality of life in its four-county area since July 7, 1964. This year, WAMY is celebrating its 45th birthday.
Community Action agencies were created to focus on alleviating the conditions of individuals living in poverty. WAMY was created as an agency that empowered low-income individuals and communities in order to pull them out of the cycle of poverty and still operates under that same mission.
Since 1964, WAMY has operated a number of programs, some of which have spun off to become self-sustaining and others that are still run by the agency today. Below is a brief look back at WAMY’s rich history.
1964
WAMY was chartered through the North Carolina Fund through the persistence of a group of individuals from Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties, including school superintendents, health officials and various professionals from the area.
1965
The Friendly Home Visitors Program (FHV) was started by hiring 28 local residents who were charged with visiting every home in their respective county district to determine the needs of the community residents. Betty Whitson and Lois McKinney from Yancey County and Vera Church from Watauga County visited homes and got information into the communities about resources that could benefit their families.
Head Start was initially established in Boone and then branched out to surrounding counties. WAMY operated Head Start for 21 years—from 1965 to 1986, when it became an independent entity. Rena Farthing Graybeal helped found the program in Watauga County.
1966
Green Eagle Rural Transportation was the first rural cooperative transportation system in the nation. This program was the idea of a group of people including a VISTA volunteer, Craig Nowland. The first “bus” was a Mercury Station Wagon. Clay Presnell, Shelby Williams and Ruby Mast were all involved in the continued development of the transportation program. Community centers were developed from the FHV program, which allowed individuals to gather and socialize. The centers fostered community collaboration to alleviate poverty conditions. Betty Whitson and True Elliott started a community center in Yancey County in the downstairs part of the vacated jail.
1967
The Handicrafts Program (Blue Ridge Hearthside Crafts Co-op) grew from WAMY’s community development component, which intended to maintain the artisan history of the area while providing income to participating families. The Smithsonian Institute purchased craft items from artisans who participated in Blue Ridge Hearthside Crafts. Program participants included Pearl Presnell, who made hand-tied lace, and Willard Watson, who was known for his toy making.
WAMY has operated many other programs over the years that have provided opportunities for low-income residents to become self-sufficient. If you or someone you know has worked for or been involved with WAMY, the organization would like to hear from you.
For more information, call Angela Miller, executive director, at 828-264-2421.
For more information about WAMY, click to www.wamycommunityaction.org.
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