The PATH staff is changing once again! We have a very warm welcome to the team and a very fond farewell.
Cassie Floan
Executive and Resource Administrator
WNC has been my stomping ground for over half of my life. In between undergrad at UNC Asheville studying art education, and graduate school in nonprofit administration in NE Ohio, our family of three landed in Yancey County in 2009. Aspirations of living on the land as sustainably as possible became reality when we raised a yurt and called it home for over five years. During that time our family grew to four, we gardened, raised chickens, built a glass studio, and eagerly ventured out to enjoy the bountiful nature of our region and the community. These elements have been integral in my time here, keeping me inspired and engaged.
I’ve had the opportunity to work in every school in Mitchell and Yancey County and with several nonprofits in both counties, giving me a glimpse of what the needs are and what is possible. Additionally, teaching at Spruce Pine Montessori School during the pandemic allowed me to experience the benefits of holistic health at the most basic level. Hearing the stories of those in our community drives my curiosity and compassion to create a landscape that is as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. Piecing together the puzzle of how to meet these needs through funding brought me to grant writing, not something everyone enjoys! My hope while with PATH is to cultivate an understanding of the work that the organization does, supporting bringing people together through wellness and health into the future.
Donna Sink
Donna SinkHealthy Lifestyles Program Coordinator
Called by her deep passion of education, Donna is returning to the Yancey County School System as an ESL Teacher. Before she joined Partners aligned Toward Health she worked for 16 years in the school district as a ESL and Spanish teacher. We appreciate the time Donna spent with us at PATH as the Healthy Lifestyles Program Coordinator. She led the Cougar Fit Club, helped organized the Burnsville Fit Families 5K, coordinated the Summer Food program, co-hosted Get Outside Challenge events, took part in Community Ambassador Real Equality (CARE) meetings, contributed to the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Work Group, participated in the MYSATF Vaping Subgroup, helped organize the Toe River Racqueteer Tennis and Pickleball camps, and much more. Her deep roots in the community, generosity, compassion, and positive attitude been a huge asset to the team and we’ll miss her tremendously.
