Jared’s passion for community and the environment inspired him to found Beacon in the midst of Covid in 2020. The goal was to create an authentic way for people to connect with their community and come together in the face of many disasters. After Hurricane Helene hit, Jared began to focus on his own community in the South Toe River Valley, working to bring together local leaders and resources to support his neighbors. Jared has educational backgrounds in psychology and permaculture, informing the shape and direction of this important work.

In Philly in 2013, he helped start the Ahimsa House, a still thriving center for peace and mindfulness offering donation-based classes in yoga, meditation, community gardening, and more. He participated numerous times in the Move Mountains Project, a Colorado-based youth program fostering cultural connection and professional skills in students of the San Luis Valley (founded by fellow board member and longtime ally Miguel Huerta). He attended many critical teach-ins and discussions during the Occupy movement as a student in Philadelphia. Wherever he went, he learned the importance of community and found ways to get involved. Beacon’s mission stems from his recognition that in whatever situation, we are stronger together.

Jared has lived in the South Toe River Valley since 2018 and feels lucky to call this beautiful land full of resilient people his home.

Keira is a self-taught herbalist and botany enthusiast who has returned to her Appalachian roots. She began studying Biology at Virginia Tech with a focus on Animal Sciences and worked extensively in the animal field before shifting her focus to teaching and performing dance. Her travels across the country exposed her to a wide range of communities, cultures, and ecosystems, deepening her appreciation for the mountains she calls home.

Now homesteading and raising a child, Keira is passionate about growing her own food and living in harmony with the land. While her love for animals remains, she has found her true calling in plants and continues to study the rich biodiversity of the region. She dreams of establishing a native plant nursery with educational and community-growing programs.

Keira also brings years of experience in event planning and staffing for corporate team-building programs centered on community service. She is excited to apply those skills locally in her role as Beacon’s Restoration Coordinator. Committed to sharing her love of native plants and ecology, she believes in the power of education and community care—and looks forward to building opportunities for youth and neighbors alike.

Keira lives along the Cane River which was heavily devastated by the storm. She is passionate about restoring this and other important ecosystems for her community and generations to come.

From Sylva, North Carolina, Sarah is rooted in a deep love for the mountains and communities of Western North Carolina. She holds a degree in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Religious Leadership and Ecology from Wake Forest University School of Divinity.

Sarah is the former Director of the Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina and has spent the past decade engaged in faith-based environmental and climate work. She has served as the statewide organizer for North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light and consulted with organizations including GreenFaith, Blessed Tomorrow, and the Southeast Faith Leaders Network—partnering with congregations and community groups to strengthen connection, resilience, and shared care for people and place.

Following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, Sarah began working closely within her local community through grassroots disaster response and mutual aid efforts. In the immediate aftermath, she witnessed both profound loss and the powerful possibilities that emerge when neighbors come together to support one another.

At Beacon, Sarah leads communications and community engagement efforts, supporting long-term recovery while helping build the relationships and systems communities need for the challenges ahead. She lives in Bakersville, NC, is a co-owner of Plott Hound Books in Burnsville, and enjoys spending time with her family.

Former RN turned community builder—my body said slow down, but my heart said “absolutely not.”

As the granddaughter of a 1940s Disney animator, I grew up with art in my blood and creativity in my bones. Today, I'm a proud mother to one beautiful daughter and an incredible stepson, who bring more joy to my life than I ever thought possible.

Compassion is at the heart of everything I do. It guided me through my years in nursing, fuels my commitment to my neighbors and community, and shapes how I show up for others every day. I believe we're strongest when we support one another and work together to create positive change.

Painting is my sanctuary—a place where I find peace, healing, and self-expression in every brushstroke. I'm also an unapologetic animal lover, and my Chihuahua, Biggie Smallz, is my loyal sidekick for most of life's adventures.

Faith-fueled and justice-driven, I'm passionate about civil rights, community empowerment, and making a difference wherever I can. I believe everyone has something valuable to contribute, and helping people connect, thrive, and support one another is work worth doing.

Family, friendship, and laughter are some of life's greatest gifts, and I try to carry gratitude, kindness, and a sense of humor wherever I go.

Justin oversees our weatherization and home repair efforts, helping ensure Helene survivors have safe, stable, and warm places to call home year-round. He works closely with volunteers and our local crew—training teams on-site, troubleshooting repairs, and ensuring every project meets the highest standard of care across everything from weatherization to rebuilding and repair work.

In addition to this hands-on leadership, Justin plays a key role in our broader resiliency work. As a licensed HAM radio operator and someone with deep experience in backcountry and practical preparedness, he helps strengthen our ability to stay connected and responsive during both everyday operations and emergency situations. He also brings strong emotional literacy and grounding to the team, shaped in part by his commitment to his studies in counseling and therapy, driven by his goal of becoming a licensed mental health therapist.

His steady, people-centered approach helps families stay secure while long-term housing solutions continue to move forward, and supports a more connected, resilient community overall.

Justin lives in the South Toe community with his partner, Jackie, and dog, Fisher.