Exciting changes are on the horizon for Crossnore in Hendersonville! In just a few weeks, our team will settle into a brand-new, permanent location as construction nears completion. While we eagerly anticipate officially calling Hendersonville our home, we’re also reflecting on our journey over the past seven years—celebrating the milestones, partnerships, and growth that have brought us to this moment.
The origin story of Crossnore’s work in Hendersonville is deeply rooted in community advocacy. Local supporters, such as Brian Robinson, were motivated by personal connections to adoption and a desire to help children in need. They advocated for Crossnore’s expansion into Hendersonville, recognizing the organization’s national reputation and the critical importance of its mission. Crossnore’s leadership, driven by a longstanding commitment to transforming child welfare, saw the move as a way to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in western North Carolina.
Because our story in Hendersonville is so closely tied to the community, the best way to honor our past and look ahead to the future is by highlighting some of the dedicated members of our Hendersonville team.
Betsy Cohen, MSW, LCSW – Child and Family Therapist Supervisor
How long have you been with Crossnore? 3 years.
Favorite memory? At our outpatient clinical team holiday party, we had a big bonfire together on the Winston-Salem campus. We burned things that we wanted to leave behind and spent time joking and bonding together.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? The office has added several new programs in the Hendersonville office to more broadly meet the needs of youth in foster care and families in the community, such as CTRC, Bridging Families, and Family Foundations.
Positive Impact? We have created relationships with school counseling departments to provide accessible school-based therapy services.
Looking forward to in the new office? The family room and conference rooms.
How will the new office impact your program? By adding the family room and conference room, our OPT staff will have additional space for assessments and family work. This will also allow us all to join team meetings, training, and bonding activities from the same room.
Kim Staples, LCMHC – Family Foundations Supervisor
How long have you been with Crossnore? I am a newcomer to the Crossnore team. My very first day on the job was the Family Foundations Christmas party where I was excited to receive a warm welcome, and gifts!
Favorite memory? Watching a family that had been very careful with each other and with us after some traumatic separations, laughing and playing tag on our front lawn. Belly laughs heal!
Positive Impact? Our program is just building, so I spend time in lots of meetings with community members. When I introduce myself as the Family Foundations Supervisor, there is minimal response…but when I finish the sentence with “from Crossnore Communities for Children,” eyes spark and heads nod. I appreciate that we have developed a reputation within the community that makes us welcome at those tables.
Looking forward to in the new office? I am excited to be able to bring some of my personal therapy tools that will not fit in our current space. Having a variety of therapeutic tools to draw from and having them organized so we can find them, will make it possible to match the differing needs of each child and family.
How will the new office impact your program? I look forward to having a private space to discuss client needs, meet with a child and parent privately, store half-finished therapeutic projects, and display children’s art!
Lisa Melton – Permanency Planning Supervisor
How long have you been with Crossnore? 7 years, since it started.
Favorite memory? Licensing one of our first foster homes and watching them adopt a sibling set of 4.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? It has grown from 2 people to now needing a larger building to accommodate all of the staff and the programs that Crossnore is offering to the community.
Positive Impact? Crossnore has provided services that were greatly needed. We have worked hard to develop positive relationships with local agencies, DSS, and community members.
Looking forward to in the new office? Having my own office space!
How will the new office impact your program? It will allow us to provide trainings and support to our foster families.
Holly Buff – Licensing and Training Supervisor
How long have you been with Crossnore? Five years.
Favorite memory? A recent team-building retreat where we played a mystery game and all took on characters. It was silly, fun, and helped us engage and let go of day-to-day stress.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? Crossnore has grown substantially. We have created new programs, hired great new staff, and grown so much that we needed a new building!
Positive Impact? Crossnore impacts our community by providing school-based and outpatient therapy services for children in care and those struggling post-COVID. We offer support to our foster children and parents and take pride in giving back to the community.
Looking forward to in the new office? Being under one roof with all of my colleagues. Our staff pool has grown, but our office space hasn’t, so we’ve been divided. It will be great to see everyone again and grab a coffee together!
How will the new office impact your program? The new office will make our program feel fresh and innovative, capturing our home-like charm with a modern twist.
Hunter Weatherford – Family Foundations Practitioner
How long have you been with Crossnore? I will have been back at Crossnore for 1 year next month!
Favorite memory? Seeing a dad who reunified with his children chasing them around and playing on the office lawn—a true highlight of their healing journey.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? I’ve seen Crossnore pilot transformational programs and continue to be pioneers in creating a trauma-informed, resilient community.
Positive Impact? We are truly integrated into the local community, creating space where our most marginalized members can access transformative resources and begin a journey of hope and healing.
Looking forward to in the new office? Having a space where all our programs can be together in one building and seeing what new collaborations are born from that.
How will the new office impact your program? We will have our own space while still being in close proximity to programs we collaborate with daily.
Teri Black, LCMHC – Child and Family Therapist
How long have you been with Crossnore? 6 years in December.
Favorite memory? Participating in yoga in the field—a campus-wide event.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? By adding new programs, outgrowing our office space, updating our EHR system/workflows, and providing maternity leave for employees.
Positive Impact? Our relationship with HCPS allows us to serve students on campus.
Looking forward to in the new office? More space and new furniture.
How will the new office impact your program? The conference room will allow the clinical team to meet together in a bigger space for clinical meetings, staffing, and trainings.
Andrea Garber – Director of Bridging Families Hendersonville
How long have you been with Crossnore? Almost 4 years.
Favorite memory? Watching Bridging Families grow and seeing children reunited with their families.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? We’ve grown in presence and partnership in the community, added more services for families, and increased our staff.
Positive Impact? In Bridging Families, we have been able to bring children in foster care back to their home community, allowing their families to connect and promote reunification.
Looking forward to in the new office? Bridging Families in Hendersonville will have offices for the first time!
How will the new office impact your program? The new office will enable better coordination between team members and give our therapists more flexibility in meeting the needs of children and families.
Angela Bollo-Higgins – Regional Director of Community Engagement
How long have you been with Crossnore? 6 years.
Favorite memory? Hearing from families and individuals in the community about how Crossnore services and staff have changed their lives.
How have you seen Crossnore grow? We have tripled our staff from 10 to almost 30 and expanded from 2 programs to 6.
Positive Impact? Crossnore is helping to bridge service gaps for children and families in Henderson and neighboring counties. By expanding foster homes, offering school-based therapy, and supporting families through programs like Bridging Families and Family Foundations, we ensure essential services reach those who need them most. The Center for Trauma Resilient Communities has also partnered with local agencies to integrate trauma-informed practices across the community.
Looking forward to in the new office? Everyone being together! The ability for our programs to intermingle and collaborate is what makes us successful.
How will the new office impact your program? Having a space large enough to meet with local partners and supporters, where they can visit, meet our team, and see them in action.
Crossnore’s journey in Hendersonville is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and a shared vision for brighter futures. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home soon!
