Our Story
Our Story
Our story began on Christmas Eve in 1973, when a frightened 12-year-old girl ran away from home. When a police officer stopped to help her, she pleaded not to be taken back. Instead, she asked to spend the night in the county jail—because it felt safer than going home.
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 a jail cell. Their grassroots efforts led to the opening of Hawthorn Heights in 1976.
Originally located in Dillsboro, North Carolina, the program relocated to Bryson City in 1980. For decades, Hawthorn Heights operated as a 9-bed shelter serving boys and girls across the region, providing safety, stability, and support to an estimated 2,250 children before the program closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reopening as Hawthorn Heights WNC
In 2021, we reopened as Hawthorn Heights WNC, a nonprofit founded through the determination and dedication of former staff members and local community members who refused to let the program’s mission be lost.
This revival required sustained advocacy, thoughtful planning, and unwavering persistence. The reopening effort was led by Kara Long (now Executive Director), Jason Beck, James Morris, and Randall Ruffner, whose passion and commitment were instrumental in restoring the program. Randall Ruffner passed away in 2024, and we honor his legacy as part of the foundation of Hawthorn Heights WNC.
With the support of our Board of Directors and community partners, including Dogwood Health Trust and the Evergreen Foundation, our current facility was purchased, returning the home to local ownership and securing its future for generations to come.
Today, Hawthorn Heights WNC carries forward a mission shaped by more than 50 years of service, intentionally refined to reflect our growth and enduring commitment to provding safe housing that creates opportunities for at-risk youth.
“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.”
Image courtesy of Bob Scott
for the Asheville Citizen-Times
What is Hawthorn Heights WNC?
“A safe place for youth to live and grow.”
Hawthorn Heights WNC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a state-licensed residential respite program serving youth ages 12–17. We provide a safe, structured, and nurturing environment for young people who are experiencing instability at home, are involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems, or are struggling with behavioral, emotional, or school-related challenges.
Our 9-bedroom home serves youth for an average stay of 90 days. During that time, residents receive consistent supervision, stability, and therapeutic support while their care team works toward long-term solutions such as family reunification, foster placement, or successful completion of juvenile justice programming.
Youth participate in a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program that includes:
A structured behavioral point system
A 12-step Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) program
Individual therapy
Life skills and cooking groups
Substance use education
At the heart of our work is a simple belief: every young person deserves to feel safe, be treated with dignity, held with care and accountability, and supported as they grow.
