Helpmate, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic violence, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, marking decades of service and commitment to the Asheville community and Buncombe County. Founded in 1979, the organization has grown from a grassroots effort into a comprehensive resource for survivors of intimate partner violence, offering a range of services designed to empower individuals and families to build safe and healthy lives. From its early days as a volunteer-run hotline