Black Mountain – The Fall Festival and Centennial Concert at the Black Mountain Home for Children and Youth will be held on October 14 at 80 Lake Eden Road in Black Mountain. Parking will be easily available across the street at Owen High School. To celebrate 100 years on the current campus, that morning there is a free, pancake breakfast for alumni, former staff and founding family members starting at 9:00 AM at the Shepherd in the Hills Retreat Center. Alumni recognition awards for outstanding recent alumni will be given in various categories: age 39 and below, distinguished alumni age 40 and up, and an Alumni Service Award for a former resident who has contributed their time and talents in support of the home.
From 10 AM to 2 PM there will be live music throughout the day, a classic car show, Ridin’ on Faith Horse Show, free games and inflatables for the kids, hayrides, a silent auction, and many other activities. Free entertainment by musicians Andy Buckner, the Dasher Family, and students from the Academy for the Arts, plus a strong man demonstration by Faith Force and a dance performance by the Cole Mountain Cloggers. To celebrate 100 years on their campus, the Centennial Concert features music by renowned Christian artists Shane and Shane, with celebrity guests Willie and Korie Robertson from Duck Dynasty. You can get concert tickets starting at 3:00 at www.BMHConcert.eventbrite.com The ticket price ranges from $20-$50
Another way to to support the event is by participating in the online auction. Simply visit www.32auctions.com/HelpKids2023.
For more information contact Sarah Robinson, Events and Community Relations Coordinator, at (828) 686-3451 or by email at info@BlackMountainHome.org.
Showcasing the Campus
Fall Festival is a fun day for all ages. The campus and ministry is showcased with cottages open for tours and a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the youth who live there. The proceeds from this festival contributes to the lives of the children and youth living at Black Mountain Home, which serves youth from birth through college graduation and beyond through family foster care, residential care, transitional living and independent living. When children are in need of out-of-home placement, BMH can meet those needs through all the stages and phases of their growing up years.

Since opening in 1904 as Mountain Orphanage, the organization has provided a home to children in need. Founded by Presbyterian minister Robert Perry Smith as Mountain Orphanage, Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families began taking in children whose parents had died or disappeared in 1904. It began as a cabin in Haywood County, but soon outgrew that location. The ministry moved to the current campus in 1923. and through mostly private donations has grown over the years. The two-story brick orphanage set on a knoll overlooking the mountains was opened in July 1923. It was considered a state-of-the-art facility. The surrounding acreage provided plenty of room for the staff and children to work together to raise animals and grow food to provide for the home. The ministry now has a satellite campus in Transylvania County called Whitewater Cove.
Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth & Families (BMH) is a safe, supportive, Christian environment for children who are dependent, neglected, abused, homeless, or who otherwise cannot live with their families. The mission of the Home is to glorify God by caring for children and families. Typically, youth come to BMH when a court has decided that it is not safe or healthy for the child to remain with their family. Some may stay only a few weeks, while others may spend a considerable part of their growing up years at the Home.
Programs include community-based. foster care, campus-based cottage care, transitional living for teens aging out of care, and an Independent Living Program for youth over the age of eighteen who wish to pursue higher education. There is an apprenticeship program which includes four training tracks: culinary arts, outdoor leadership/recreation, hospitality/housekeeping, and maintenance/automotive. Youth participate in a year-long training program that includes hands-on experience on the campus before being paired with a local business providing a paid internship.The BMH Lifelong Living Program provides support during adulthood to youth with developmental disabilities. Donors have helped the Black Mountain Home maintain and improve the campus and programs over the years, including creating Independent Living and Lifelong Living Programs, plus building a Thrift Store and Cafe.
There are many volunteer opportunities available. Perhaps someone would like to foster a child, or sponsor a child for Christmas? Christmas is always a difficult time for the children in the Home, so a person can make Christmas special by sponsoring a child or responding to their wish-list. Go to the www.BlackMountainHome.org/donate for more information on this. Or contact Loretta Shelton, Director of Development and Community Relations, at LShelton@BlackMountainHome.org or (828) 686-3451. All donations are tax-deductible, as BMH is a 501(c)(3) organization.
President James Harmon shares his thoughts: “As I reflect on the changes our campus has seen in the last hundred years and the thousands of children for whom it has been home, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the individuals whose compassion, courage, and vision have led us to this milestone. Rev. Smith’s heart’s desire was for orphans to have a safe, loving home. His legacy lives on at BMH, where more than 170 children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and other traumas are entrusted to our care each year.” For more information on Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth, and Families visit www.BlackMountainHome.org or call (828) 686-3451. All donations are tax-deductible, as BMH is a 501(c)3 organization.