Echoes from the Community — Week 5

By Olivia Hankey
SparkPoint, Transylvania County

Happy New Year! Welcome back to Echoes from the Community, a column that shares insights from real stories told by residents across Transylvania County, collected through SparkPoint, a local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community connections and well-being.

As the new year begins, many of us are thinking about fresh starts. We often set goals, make plans, and look ahead. But before moving forward, it is important to reflect on the year behind us.

During 2025, many neighbors across Transylvania County have shared stories from their lives through Echoes from the Community, offering insight into how connected, or disconnected, they have felt and what has mattered most during moments of challenge and change. If there is one thing we've learned through this, it's that connection changes everything.

One person shared how, during a difficult season of mental health challenges, the most meaningful support they received was not advice or solutions, but someone who consistently listened. That simple act of being heard helped restore a sense of hope. Another story described an unexpected reconciliation between neighbors, sparked by a simple holiday greeting that opened the door to understanding and mutual care. What changed was not the situation, but the decision to reach out.

Across many stories, similar themes emerge. Neighbors from across the county, including Brevard, Rosman, Cedar Mountain, Pisgah Forest, Connestee Falls, Little River, and Schenck Job Corps have shared their stories.

Some shared they feel deeply connected to their community, while others expressed feeling isolated or unheard. Together, these voices reflect a community that values connection, even as we continue to learn how to practice it more intentionally.

As we step into a new year, these echoes invite us to consider connection as something we build daily. It grows through small choices: checking in, listening fully, and noticing the people around us.

Echoes from the Community encourages you to reflect on this question:

When was the last time you felt genuinely connected to someone, and why did it happen? Maybe it came from being vulnerable, opening yourself to a new idea, or listening without the need to respond. However it showed up, what would it look like to practice it again?

Share your experience online and tag SparkPoint using #YearOfConnection to be highlighted on our socials!

Echoes from the Community will continue to share stories like these, highlighting what residents are saying, why it matters, and how these insights are guiding efforts to build a more connected and compassionate Transylvania County. If this kind of collaborative work appeals to you, SparkPoint is seeking community members to be trained to help analyze and reflect stories - an exciting and rewarding experience!

For more information, contact maggie@yoursparkpoint.org