Blue Ridge Hope, founded in 2014 by grief counselor Travis Smith, MDiv, began in Rutherfordton, NC as a response to local emotional and mental health needs. It became a nonprofit in 2018 to meet growing demand beyond grief care. Today, it offers affordable, compassionate counseling through licensed professionals, regardless of ability to pay. Services include therapy on a sliding scale, insurance options - including Medicaid, and the HOPEworks youth mentoring program, which supports teens through mentorship, education, and mental health resources.