Nicole Kott is an imperfect human just like the rest of us. She made a mistake, a mistake that has changed her life forever. This mistake should not negate all the amazing work she and Helping Hands have done in this community. This organization stepped in when it was most needed and has been incredibly responsible with the funds it’s been tasked with administering thus far. 

Nicole is a caring and giving person that has done so much of this work on her own and without pay and all while she was being harassed and threatened by certain community members. She’s put so much pressure on herself to do everything in her power to help those who have been deemed unworthy of help by others, it’s no wonder she was struggling internally. And now in her time of need and support, it’s devastating to see how she’s being judged. No one is going to be able to make her feel any worse about this situation than she is making herself feel. 

Our inability to feel empathy for other human beings will surely be our downfall. My hope is that someone can step into the director role at Helping Hands so that it can continue to provide valuable services in the community and that funding can be restored. I think that’s what Nicole would want. I wish her nothing but love and healing as she continues to recover from this tragic incident.

Jessi Stone

Waynesville