About Our Program

Our Story

Our story begins on Christmas Eve, 1973, when a frightened 12-year-old girl ran away from home. When a police officer stopped to help her, she begged not to be returned home and instead asked to spend the night in the county jail. Her home life felt so unsafe that a jail cell seemed like the better option.

That moment became a rallying cry for a group of concerned citizens who believed no child should ever have to choose between an unsafe home and incarceration. Their grassroots efforts led to the opening of Hawthorn Heights in 1976.

Originally located in Dillsboro, North Carolina, the program moved to Bryson City in 1980. For decades, the 9-bed shelter served boys and girls ages 12–17, helping an average of 50 youth each year. An estimated 2,250 children found safety and support through Hawthorn Heights before it’s eventual closure during COVID in March of 2020.

Reopening as Hawthorn Heights WNC

In 2021, Hawthorn Heights reopened as Hawthorn Heights WNC, a nonprofit founded through the determination and dedication of former staff members who refused to let the program’s mission disappear.

This effort required substantial amounts of advocacy, planning, and persistence. The reopening team included Kara Long (now Executive Director), James Morris, Jason Beck, and Ralph Ruffner, whose passion and commitment were instrumental in restoring the program. Ralph Ruffner passed away in 2025, and we honor his legacy as part of the foundation of Hawthorn Heights WNC.

With the support of our Board of Directors and partners including Dogwood Health Trust and the Evergreen Foundation, our current facility was purchased from Children’s Hope Alliance—transferring the home to local ownership and securing its future for generations to come.

Today, Hawthorn Heights WNC continues the same mission that began over 50 years ago: ensuring that youth in crisis always have a safe place to turn.

“Hawthorn Heights was initially established through a grassroots movement of local citizens who understood the necessity of having a safe, nurturing home for children when they had nowhere else to turn,” explains Kara Long, Executive Director. “Regaining local ownership of the home and safeguarding its future has been a key focus since we reopened the program in 2021.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the children of this community who are experiencing difficult transitions in their lives,” states Board Chairman Ralph Murphy. “We will continue to provide quality care to youth in need while strengthening the continuum of care in western North Carolina.”